Lesson 13 – November 27 – The Armor of God
Always Be Prepared
In 1907, Boy Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell created the Scout motto: “Be Prepared.” It continues as the motto of the organization, and even appears on the highest award given, the Eagle Scout Medal. Mr. Baden-Powell described it like this: “You are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”
It’s good to be prepared. That’s why a woman’s purse may weigh 10 pounds. It might include remedies for many situations: a brush, beverage, clean diaper, book, sewing kit, wallet, kids’ toys, pens, medication, nail clippers, snacks, wipes, checkbook, cell phone, tissues, sunglasses, maybe even a change of clothes! Mom is always prepared.
As Christ-followers, we must be more diligent in being prepared against the attacks of our spiritual enemy. In today’s lesson, we study about the armor of God, and its importance in a believer’s life. We’re told to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Eph. 6:10). How do we do that? We must have our spiritual armor ready, and be prepared, “always in a state of readiness in mind and body” to do our spiritual duty.
Remember, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4). “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).
We prepare as we study God’s Word, pray, and trust God every moment of every day.
Sad News
The wife of our pastor passed away last Thursday. Please pray for comfort to family and friends whose hearts are hurting right now.
Obituary for June Atwell
When Paul talked about putting on the armor of God, he may have been comparing it to the armor of a Roman solider. A Roman soldier’s armor had multiple functions. It was his identification in society, his protection in battle, and his weaponry against his enemies. When they were not on active duty, soldiers were distinguished by their military belt and their sandals. The clothes that the soldiers wore—even while off duty—signified status and elicited respect from other members of society. Therefore, when Paul says that every Christian should put on the armor of God, it is a powerful statement of their status. A Roman soldier represents the emperor, a very noble occupation. But a Christian represents God, the Lord of all the earth.
The biggest component of the armor was the shield. It was four feet tall, two and one half feet wide, and could weigh up to 22 pounds! As indicated in our passage, it was effective as protection against an archer’s arrows, but it also could be employed offensively in close combat. The shield was the prominent feature of a soldier in combat. So when Paul refers to a Christian’s shield as the “shield of faith,” he underlines the significance of faith for the believer. The breastplate was a metal shield worn like a shirt over the breast to protect the chest and vital organs. Helmets were metallic protecting the head and neck area.
The sword is the primary offensive weapon in the soldier’s armory. But it also could be used defensively to swipe away attacks by an enemy. Referencing the Word of God as the sword which the Spirit uses is a way of saying that the Gospel is the means of both moving the Kingdom forth (evangelism) and defending the Kingdom against attacks.
Roman soldiers had unique shoes made from leather, with open sections around the sides of the feet and ankles to allow for ventilation. They were equipped with hollow-headed metal studs that provided a firm grip on the soil, like athletic cleats we wear today. This allowed for comfortable marching and was sometimes used as an offensive weapon.
Week of November 21 through November 27
Something to think about this week: What images come to mind when you hear the word armor?
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Revelation 2:1-7 – Remembrance and Repentance.
Tue. – Ephesians 3:1-13 – The Mystery of Christ.
Wed. – Ephesians 4:1-8, 11-16 – Build Up the Body of Christ.
Thu. – Ephesians 4:17-27 – Put On the New Self.
Fri. – Psalm 91 – God Is Our Refuge.
Sat. – Isaiah 54:6-17 – God Rebuilds the Afflicted.
Sun. – Ephesians 6:10-24 – Strength in the Lord.
Lesson 12 – November 20 – God Is an Artist
Left to ourselves, we usually focus on what we want and how we might get it. Being stuck in a self-focused life leads to feelings of entitlement, which usually makes us disagreeable to others. Even though such a life is full of pleasure-seeking, it rarely works because we get addicted to wanting more of whatever pleasure we chase. Satan, the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Eph. 2:2), tempts us to think of number one, to think of ourselves before others.
Thankfully, God saves us from ourselves. Even if we think we can never change, God’s tremendous power can turn us around. Instead of being focused on individual wants and pleasures, we can cooperate with God as He cultivates in us a character that seeks to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
The biblical phrase for this is that God is “rich in mercy.” God never runs out of ideas to bring us to Himself and to bring us into wholeness and abundance in life.
So, God invites us to partner with Him in loving people and creating things that bring joy, beauty, love, and well-being to others. Such a life is so much more engaging as we reach out to friends and strangers. God created us for this because this is what God Himself is like.
This is how we partner with God in the midst of simply being a neighbor or doing our job. The key to sensing God’s invitations is to respond to each little nudge from God—to make that phone call, to send that card, to make that encouraging comment. The more we respond to the nudges, the more nudges we sense coming our way.
in on him. He had cut the budget, reassigned personnel, and reluctantly made extensive layoffs. He deeply felt the pain of his employees, yet he was forced to pick up their workload.
Coming home after long days and nights of working, he was conscious of bringing his problems home with him, but he couldn’t separate his homelife from the pressures he was under at work. Before long, he’d become seriously depressed. When he did take a break from working, he ate his dinner in silence, shutting out his wife and five-year-old daughter. He then retreated to his den to quickly peruse the newspaper—holding it up in such a way as to, in effect, wall his family out of his life.
After a few weeks of this, one evening his daughter boldly entered the den. Her little hand grasped the top of his newspaper and crumpled it down. Then she jumped into her father’s lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him as tightly as a little girl could. Pulling back on one of her arms to make himself a little room to breathe, he said, “Honey, you’re hugging me to death!”
“No, Daddy,” the little girl responded, “I’m hugging you to life!”
Week of November 14 through November 20
Something to think about this week: A time when you felt almost “dead” from stress, work, or some other reason but then felt “alive” when that time was over.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – 1 Timothy 1:1-4, 12-17 – Grace Overflowed for Service.
Tue. – 1 Timothy 2:1-8 – Live in Peace and Godliness.
Wed. – 1 Timothy 3:1-13 – Qualifications for God’s Servants.
Thu. – Micah 6:1-8 – Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.
Fri. – Psalm 37:1-9, 37-40 – Trust in God and Do Good.
Sat. – Acts 4:23-31 – A Prayer for Boldness.
Sun. – Ephesians 2:1-10 – Created for Good Works.
Lesson 11 – November 13 – Christ is Wisdom
Everyday Blessings of Knowing Christ
When Scripture speaks of “knowing,” it means much more than knowing facts about something or being able to describe it. When Paul said, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10), he meant knowing Christ as a person. From the beginning of their relationship, it was personal! Jesus called him by name, saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Jesus didn’t say to Paul, “See here, your theology is wrong.” He addressed him personally. Knowing God involves a deep personal trust in God cultivated in ongoing conversation with Him throughout our day.
Wisdom. To trust God is to rely on God to help us know important things and provide what we need. This means that we rely on God to lead us in every day choices instead of trusting in political entities, financial institutions, science, academia, news outlets, social media, or self-appointed experts. God is eager to give us wisdom when we ask (Jas. 1:5).
Hope. Faith, which is essentially confidence in God, creates hope, which is a confident anticipation of future good. Everything we need will be provided (Phil. 4:18-19), even if we aren’t aware that what is provided is what we need!
Power. God provides spiritual power, which is evidenced not by high positions and titles or by forcing decisions but by accepting Jesus’ invitations (“Follow me,” “Learn of me“). It is accompanied by the personal companionship and wisdom of Christ.
These blessings will give us “enlightened hearts” that lead us to love others well, praying for them as Paul did. At the front of our minds is how we might seek the good of others instead of how we might advance ourselves.
Hope is different from optimism, which is having a positive outlook on life. Optimism is helpful, but hope is much deeper. For Christians, it’s grounded in experience that God supplies what is needed. Persevering through experiences produces hope (Romans 5:4). The Greek word for hope, elpis, is also translated expectation or confidence. Hope is joyful and confident expectation.
Jesus knew this hope. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). In hope, we can say with Jesus, who said when facing His trial and crucifixion that although many “will leave me all alone yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me” (John 16:32). An “enlightened heart” nurtures us into knowing (experiencing) the hope to which Jesus invites us—creating a life that is rich and glorious, not draining and demeaning.
Week of November 7 through November 13
Something to think about this week: Someone you know who is very hopeful, and why.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Acts 19:21-31 – The Gospel Threatens Vested Interests.
Tue. – Acts 19:32-20:1 – Encouraging Disciples and Saying Farewell.
Wed. – Acts 20:17-21, 26-35 – The Gospel Bestows an Inheritance.
Thu. – Psalm 16 – The Lord Is My Portion.
Fri. – Joshua 1:1-9 – Be Strong and Courageous.
Sat. – Isaiah 25 – Rejoice in God’s Salvation.
Sun. – Ephesians 1:15-23 – A Glorious Inheritance.
Lesson 10 – November 6 – God Picked You!
Most of us know what it’s like to be set aside, left out, or excluded. Maybe you’ve experienced this through a loss of a job, or rejection from a family member, or a failure to achieve something important. Somehow we didn’t measure up to the standard set by someone else.
One of the real blessings in Christ is that God chooses us. In fact, God has been thinking about us before the foundation of the world.
Belonging to Christ is a rich sort of belonging unlike most earthly experiences of belonging. It is forever, not short-lived. We belong to God for eternity. God never gives up on us.
It is intentional, not accidental. God wanted to adopt us. It is the fulfillment of the “mystery of his will.”
Belonging to God is the wisest course of action anyone can take because it leads to fullness of life. And it is empowering, not draining. Belonging to God is energizing: “Everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17, NRSV).
Side Note:
Most people in our life will eventually leave us. They will move or die or break off relationships. God’s love never quits; it never fails. Nurturing our companionship with God turns sad loneliness into sweet solitude, from the pain of being alone to the glory of being alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us to move forward when nothing else can.
How did belonging to that group affect you?
What did it teach you or give you?
God is interested in our belonging to His family. He has gone out of His way even to adopt us.
Week of October 31 through November 6
Something to think about this week: An organization or group to which you belonged in elementary school, high school, or college.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Acts 19:1-12 – Receive the Holy Spirit.
Tue. – Acts 19:13-20 – Renounce Sinful Practices.
Wed. – Psalm 27 – God Is My Light and Salvation.
Thu. – Esther 4:5-17 – Chosen in God’s Providence.
Fri. – Deuteronomy 7:1-11 – You Are God’s Chosen People.
Sat. – John 14:1-14 – The Way, the Truth, the Life.
Sun. – Ephesians 1:1-14 – God’s Eternal Plan of Salvation.
Lesson 09 – October 30 – David Anointed as King
God’s qualifications for choosing someone for a particular task often differ from our ideas. In today’s lesson, God directs Samuel to anoint David with oil as Israel’s next leader. Kings, along with prophets and priests, were anointed with oil to signify they were set apart for service to God. God chose David as a leader who would serve Him and His people, because He saw David’s heart, someone who accepted God and His Spirit.
Samuel listened to God and followed His lead. He didn’t focus solely on outward appearances but instead looked to God for direction in anointing Israel’s next king. When a choice before us might be swayed by outward appearances, we would do well to follow Samuel’s example and look to God for guidance.
We constantly say we’re all individuals, but we tend to follow the crowd rather than God and take our cues from TV and media rather than from Scripture. Jeremiah reminds us that our heart is deceitful, devious, and untrustworthy (Jer. 17:9). We can strive to “look at the heart,” as God does, but our view may still be faulty. Only God knows the true nature of our heart, so our best choice is to look to Him for guidance.
Whether people realize it or not, they often operate on emotion, rather than fact or logic. We may make decisions consciously or unconsciously based on outward appearances, rather than things that are not seen, such as integrity, sincerity, and faith.
As people who live in a fallen world, we are tempted by “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). We are drawn to that which is attractive. God created much that is beautiful, but our sinful nature entices us away from that which is of God.
Week of October 24 through October 30
Something to think about this week: What areas of your life do you want to “look good” such as with the car you drive, the house you live in, or the clothes you wear?
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – 1 Samuel 15:1-11 – God Rejects Saul.
Tue. – Romans 11:13-24 – God’s Kindness and Severity.
Wed. – Psalm 2 – God’s Begotten Son.
Thu. – Acts 13:21-31 – Jesus the Heir of David.
Fri. – Revelation 22:12-17 – The Bright Morning Star.
Sat. – Psalm 89:20-29, 34-37 – God Keeps His Covenant.
Sun. – 1 Samuel 16:1-13 – A Higher Perspective.
Lesson 08 – October 23 – Who Will Be King?
During the time Samuel served as Israel’s judge, the Israelites asked for a king. Their request troubled Samuel, and he turned to God for guidance. Even though the Law made provisions for a king, Israel rejected God and didn’t acknowledge Him as their true King. Sometimes things we ask God for might be allowed according to Scripture, but are not the most beneficial for us. When in doubt, Samuel’s example encourages us to examine our motives and seek God’s will in ‘prayer.
Samuel heard Israel’s request for a king, which was really a demand that arose out of an ungrateful attitude toward God. The people of Israel had reasons—some more legitimate than others—for wanting a king at this time. They said Samuel was too old to rule effectively and his sons didn’t follow Samuel’s moral ways. They also thought a king would save them from troubles and afflictions and provide stability and safety against the Philistines. In the same way, often our requests of God arise out of desires to escape hardship and receive God’s protection. When we forget all God has done for us, it’s easy to demand our own way, thinking our plan is better than God’s.
Samuel submitted to God’s will and called Israel before the Lord to hear His choice for king. Although the Israelite’s plea for a king revealed ungratefulness and rejection of God’s role as sovereign in their lives, God remained in control and chose Saul to be their king. In the midst of Israel’s disobedience and sinful ways, He gave them a man uniquely qualified to rule the nation at that time.
Samuel’s response to Israel’s request for an earthly king demonstrates his relationship with God. Even though Samuel didn’t like the idea, he talked to the Lord about it in prayer. God reassured Samuel, and Samuel submitted to God’s will. Samuel serves as an example for us when we come before the King with our requests.
It seems to be true in today’s Bible lesson, too. Israel wanted a king. Why? Because all the other nations (pagan nations) had a king. They didn’t think either of Samuel’s sons would fit the bill, and they were right. But Israel was basically rejecting God as their king by asking for a man to lead them. They wanted to be like everyone else. So, God gave them what they asked for: King Saul.
We are egocentric people. We think we know what is best for us, rather than asking God for guidance and then most importantly, following that guidance.
We must examine ourselves and examine our prayers for the motives behind them.
Week of October 17 through October 23
Something to think about this week: Where many people look for leadership in their lives.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – 1 Samuel 3:1-10 – Speak for Your Servant Is Listening.
Tue. – 1 Samuel 8:1-9 – A Desire to Be Like Others.
Wed. – Revelation 11:15-19; 15:2-4 – God Is the King of Nations.
Thu. – Psalm 93 – The Lord Is Clothed in Majesty.
Fri. – 1 Samuel 9:3-17 – God Chooses Saul.
Sat. – 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8 – God’s Spirit Will Possess You.
Sun. – 1 Samuel 10:17-27 – Behold Your King!
Lesson 07 – October 16 – The Call of Gideon
The Israelites were caught in cycles of wandering, discipline, repentance, and deliverance. We can observe their example and reflect on patterns in our relationship with God, with a goal of responding to what He has done in the past by having faith that He holds our future in His hands.
People practice idolatry whenever they elevate someone or something to a place greater than God. It may be placing attention on work, family, or status to the exclusion of God. It can also include practicing the Christian faith while at the same time accepting tenets of other religions in an attempt to be accepted. It’s easy to stray from God, but He lovingly calls His people back again and again. Remembering His good works in the past strengthens us to turn back to God.
Closing prayer: “Lord, thank You that we can bring our doubts to You and receive reassurance of Your presence. Thank You for helping us to complete anything You ask us to do. Help us to remember Your goodness and faithfulness to find hope for the future.”
“Yes,” says Sally, “a lock of my husband’s hair.”
“But Larry’s still alive.”
“I know, but his hair is gone.”
Week of October 10 through October 16
Something to think about this week: Something we take out every so often to remind us of the past. For example, that could be a college or high school yearbook, a wedding dress, or an heirloom quilt.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Psalm 73:1-5, 16-17, 21-28 – God Is My Portion Forever.
Tue. – Judges 2:7-8, 11-19 – Israel Grows Unfaithful.
Wed. – 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 – God’s Power Is a Treasure.
Thu. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 – Afflicted but Renewed Daily.
Fri. – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 – God’s Grace Is Sufficient.
Sat. – Judges 7:1-8, 16-22 – Deliverance Comes from God’s Hand.
Sun. – Judges 6:1-2, 7-16a – God Calls Gideon.
Lesson 06 – October 9 – Song of Moses
We can forget what God has done for us, so we spend our time complaining about how awful our lives are when instead we should be praising God and thanking Him. Sometimes we will desert God by ignoring Him and trying to do everything on our own. When we focus on praising Him, however, we can turn our focus from the negative to the positive.
Wherever you publish, or make known, the goodness of the Lord, you don’t bring attention to yourself—you let it be known that He is your great Creator and Protector. Let’s speak of our great God’s work all the time. We remind ourselves first of who He is and what He has done, and then share with those around us the marvelous deeds of a loving Father. When complaining ends, praise begins.
Week of October 3 through October 9
Something to think about this week: Three things you could praise God for.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Exodus 3:1-15 – God Calls and Equips.
Tue. – Exodus 14:21-31 – God Brings Victory.
Wed. – Psalm 105:26-27,37-45 – God Remembers His Promises.
Thu. – Hebrews 3:7-19 – God Expects Obedience.
Fri. – Hebrews 4:1-11 – God Offers Eternal Rest.
Sat. – Deuteronomy 1:1-8 – God Promises a Homeland.
Sun. – Deuteronomy 32:3-14, 18 – God Is Perfect and Just.
Lesson 05 – October 2 – The Birth of Moses
Surprise birthday parties start with the guests shouting “Surprise!” Often, God works in ways that yell “Surprise!” as well.
Sometimes we underestimate what God can do through people. We see the biblical examples such as Moses or David, but we may not believe God works that way in our own time.
Because He is still a God of “surprises,” we should see Him working in amazing ways even in the people we see around us. He will do surprising things in our lives as well, and we should be open to His doing so.
A frightened mother trying to save her baby from a murderous Pharaoh was the surprising first step in God’s plan to rescue His people from Egypt. God is still working in surprising ways, doing things that we may not see, orchestrating events behind the scenes.
is mysterious and does not work in ways we might expect, as Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Q&A
Fill in the blank: I believe God often works behind the scenes because______
God is always working, and we may not see Him working because He wants us to have faith and not depend on our own strategies, which are always inferior to what He is doing.
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When has God surprised you with how He works?
Usually we don’t “put things together” until down the line when we see how much He did for us.
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True or false: God always wants us to see where and how He is working.
It may be that God does not reveal all the details but only shows us pieces of the puzzle, or sometimes we are better off not knowing exactly what is happening.
Week of September 26 through October 2
Something to think about this week: The last happy surprise you had.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon.- Psalm 105:12-25 – God Preserves the People.
Tue. – Genesis 47:1-12 – From Lack to Abundance.
Wed. – Exodus 1:8-22 – Thriving in Spite of Adversity.
Thu. – Acts 7:17-29 – God Prepares Moses.
Fri. – Acts 7:30-41 – Challenges of Heeding God’s Call.
Sat. – Hebrews 11:23-29 – A Faithful Life.
Sun. – Exodus 2:1-15 – God Raises Up a Deliverer.
Lesson 04 – September 25 – The Scepter Given to Judah
Jacob’s family is a case study in how God calls imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. Just as Jacob had deceived his brother Esau to obtain his father’s blessing, so Jacob/Israel’s sons committed many acts of deception—and in Judah’s case, was deceived in return.
God values family because He created it. Imperfect families show up quite often in the Bible, but God used people like Joseph and his quarreling brothers to establish Israel. He found a friend for David in the dysfunctional family of King Saul.
The Bible is full of descriptions of imperfect families because there are no perfect families in this world. What we find instead are families that God uses, like Jacob’s family, for His purposes. Out of Jacob’s imperfect family came the line of people who were the ancestors of Jesus.
As in the past, today God still uses families for His purposes. God knows we are not perfect; therefore He is not looking for perfection in families but for faith as we all seek to serve him.
TV is not the same these days. Current TV lineups offer a multitude of examples of depravity. Family life today is often not simple or pure, on TV or in real life. We see divorce, broken homes, shootings, adultery, physical fighting, and more, depicted as “normal.”
However, family life was not simple or pure in Bible times, either. That should be encouraging to us. Bible characters chose to participate in many messy family fiascos, yet God’s truth kept marching on. God’s purposes ultimately prevailed.
Our lives rarely go as planned, yet we can give all our burdens to God, asking for His help, forgiveness, and wisdom as we move forward. If you have family challenges, give them to God. Pray for your family individually, by name, and keep showing them love and mercy: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8).
We certainly don’t live in a “Leave it to Beaver” world anymore, if we ever did. But we can trust that God will use family pain and controversy for His purposes.
Week of September 19 through September 25
Something to think about this week: What a “perfect” family would look like.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Genesis 38:12-19, 24-26 – Tamar Asserts Her Rights.
Tue. – Ruth 4:9-17 – Ruth Gives Birth to Obed.
Wed. – Numbers 23:18-26 – Gods Blessings for Israel.
Thu. – Numbers 24:2-9, 15-17 – A Scepter Shall Rise from Israel.
Fri. – Revelation 4 – The Heavenly Throne.
Sat. – Revelation 5 – The Conquering Lamb.
Sun. – Genesis 49:8-12 – Judah Destined to Reign.
Lesson 03 – September 18 – Jacob Called Israel
I have to think that God enjoys our wrestling with Him. He changed Jacob’s name to Israel. And Israel became the name for the nation of His chosen people. And perhaps the best translation of the word Israel is “he who wrestles with God.”
Like Jacob, we too are called to wrestle with God, and with others, in the lifelong journey of submitting to God’s will—and allowing our own greed-driven desires to be put aside. But this is never accomplished without cost. Sometimes God leaves us with some kind of limp to remind us that He is in charge, and that we’re only allowed to participate in His kingdom as an expression of God’s grace. The limping that resulted from Jacob’s displaced hip would keep him humble, reminding him that his supernatural opponent could have dispatched him in less than a minute—instead, the challenger let the wrestling match go on for hours. Like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, these “injuries” can keep us from getting big heads and remind us that God is always in charge—no matter how tempted we may be to challenge Him.
Every one of us wrestles with something. As a matter of fact, life itself can sometimes seem like a long wrestling match. It is how a person emerges from that struggle that determines his or her eternal destiny. Some will neither have sought nor have received the blessing that God yearns to give them. But at least a few will stay in the struggle, continuing to seek the blessing, and finally, upon their surrender to God, will emerge from the struggle having received the blessing of an eternal life with the Lord.
Week of September 12 through September 18
Something to think about this week: Several words you would use to describe God (for example, powerful, loving, infinite, omnipresent, omniscient).
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Hebrews 12:7 – 17 – Partake in God’s Holiness.
Tue. – Genesis 27:18 – 29 – A Blessing Bestowed.
Wed. – Genesis 27:30 – 41 – A Blessing Forsaken.
Thu. – Romans 11:25 – 32 – God Will Be Merciful to All.
Fri. – Psalm 105:1 – 11 – Praise for God’s Wonderful Works.
Sat. – Genesis 32:3 – 12 – Seeking Favor in God’s Sight.
Sun. – Genesis 32:22 – 32 – Wrestling for a Blessing.
Lesson 02 – September 11 – God Chooses the Younger Twin
Daily we have choices before us that determine not only our present lives, but our eternity. Often, we make our choices on what we want now instead of what will be best for us in the long run. As we pray and read God’s Word, the Holy Spirit guides us on how to choose God’s way over worldly desires.
Who Will You Choose?
In Joshua 24:14-15, the Israelites had to choose whether to serve the Lord or foreign gods. Joshua clearly made his choice to serve the living Lord. The world screams for us to choose what it has to offer, while God commands us to make a choice between the world and Himself. Daily we are given choices to make that involve choosing the world’s way of doing things or God’s way. The choice may be as simple as whether to eat a fruit or a cookie or whether to buy that expensive coat instead of giving all your offering for the month.
What choice is before you today that you need to make?
Which will you choose, God’s way or the world’s way?
God desires to give us his best, but often what He knows is best is not what we choose for ourselves.
Week of September 5 through September 11
Something to think about this week: Pairs of items that illustrate extreme differences. For example, vegetables and an ice cream sundae, canvas shoes and cowboy boots, or a cross necklace and a diamond necklace.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Luke 13:23-30 – The First Will Be Last.
Tue. – Psalm 147:1-6, 12-20 – God Is Great and Gracious.
Wed. – Psalm 75 – God Judges Rightly.
Thu. – Romans 9:6-16 – God’s Word Does Not Fail.
Fri. – Romans 9:17-29 – Who Can Argue with God?
Sat. – Genesis 28:10-22 – God Blesses Jacob.
Sun. – Genesis 25:19-34 – God Is Free to Choose.
Lesson 01 – September 4 – The Call of Abraham
God made it clear to Abraham that while the promise of a great nation and an eternal legacy was promised to him, his best reward was God Himself, for He is the only source of meaning, purpose, and significance in this world. All the possessions, power, and status in the world cannot be enjoyed without God’s presence and blessing.
Fear hinders us from following what God calls us to do.
When God calls His children into the unknown, fear is real. Yet, God’s love and promises can overshadow fear. The willingness to follow God wherever He leads becomes easier, the more we get to know God and His love for us. Wherever God leads His children, it’s always for the best.
“If I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God” (Oswald Chambers).
Week of August 29 through September 4
Something to think about this week: The last time you were called to do something and why.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Hebrews 11:18-19 – The Faith of Abraham.
Tue. – Psalm 84 – Blessed Are They Who Dwell in Your House!
Wed. – Romans 4:1-12 – God Reckons Righteousness.
Thu. – Romans 4:13-25 – A Promised Inheritance.
Fri. – John 8:51-59 – Abraham Rejoiced in the Day.
Sat. – Genesis 11:27-32 – First Steps of Faith.
Sun. – Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1-7 – Called to Be a Blessing.
Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church 