Nov 10: Matthew 4, Jeremiah 19, Psalm 89
Nov 11: Matthew 5, Jeremiah 20, Psalm 90
Nov 12: Matthew 6, Jeremiah 21, Psalm 91
Nov 13: Matthew 7, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 92
Nov 14: Matthew 8, Jeremiah 23, Psalm 93
Nov 15: Matthew 9, Jeremiah 24, Psalm 94
Luke 1:11-17
God has a plan and purpose for mankind and history is His story unfolding. His plans and purposes will be accomplished and they are accomplished in partnership with people.
Why did God choose Zechariah and Elizabeth? There are some clues in the account . Both of them were upright people who served God faithfully and who were obedient to His commands. They lived a life of faith and worship to God. But I think there is another reason why God chose this couple, we see it in the statement the angel made right after he calmed down a very frightened Z. He says, “God has heard your prayer!” I wonder if God in chooses those who are praying. Peter quoting the psalmist says…
- 1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV) For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers…
What if praying puts us smack in the middle of God’s radar? God says, “I’m looking for someone who can be a part of my plan, oh there you are, I hear you praying!” God is looking for pray-ers to work through. My encouragement is to start praying for the things that God would put on my heart and then be ready for God to use me to help accomplish His great and glorious plan.
1 Corinthians__8
Scripture 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Observation-What does it say? Corinth was a town of excess, where the social elite lived luxuriously. There were temples to different gods in the city, and celebrations for the different trade organizations were often held at these many temples. A lot of the meat sold at the markets in Corinth had been previously sacrificed in one of these temples. So it was very difficult to separate from the paganism in the town.
Many of the Christians held that, since the “gods” were really not gods at all, the meat was acceptable to eat. While this is true, they needed to be cautious in exercising their freedom in a way as to not make others struggle in their faith. Thus, Paul encouraged them to abstain from eating meat sacrificed to “idols.”
Understanding-What does it mean? Christians don’t dance. They don’t drink alcohol or use tobacco. You can’t use curse words. Christians don’t listen to secular music. Most importantly, Christians don’t do anything fun on Sunday. As a kid, this was my understanding of rules for proper Christian living. It was as if this chaste living were going to make you good enough to go to heaven. So when I got older, and I had my first beer, I was surprised that I wasn’t struck down by lightning. Then I had a cigar or two and I had the same result, no lightning or death. I felt as though I was lied to about the “rules.” I did a little research and found the bible never explicitly tells us to abstain from these things.
But (there is always a but), I got involved with helping out in my church’s youth group and something strange happened. All of the sudden, my behavior mattered. How could I tell a teenager, who was only a few years younger than me, “You can’t go out and drink on the weekends,” and turn around and do it myself. How could I ask them to stay away from addicting things, like cigarettes or chewing tobacco, and have a cigar. I was trying to split hairs on what was acceptable and what wasn’t. In my actions, I was worshiping myself. I was placing my sovereign will above God’s. In doing so, I could have been drawing youth away from God and toward their own self-warship.
In Corinthians 6:12, Paul told us that “all things are lawful…but not all things are profitable.” To the Ephesians he writes to “walk as wise men… and be subject to one another” (5:13-21). He tells the Galatians not to use freedom as “an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (5:13). And then we learn that the fruit of the spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (5:22-26). So we should be living in a way that we are lifting others up, not causing them to turn away from His love.
But, we aren’t perfect.
Life Application Jesus, thank you for my children, and the youth that you put in my life to see how important my actions are. Thank you for your grace, and that I don’t have to live a perfect life. But, help me to remember that I am always being a witness for your love and grace. My actions, even when I think no one is looking, are your billboard. Help me to remember my sin, and shortcomings, and have grace with others in ways that I also have received grace.
-Tyler Galloway
Psalm_118
his love endures forever.2 Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”ObservationThe author of Psalm 118 is uncertain but one thing is certain, whoever wrote this psalm suffered great distress. But… the LORD saved them!Psalm 1185 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.
UnderstandingHumility and Gratitude are once again the right response.When I read this psalm I was taken back by the beauty of the gratitude expressed.I was reminded of all the times I was “hard pressed” by the circumstances of life and felt like I couldn’t breathe. He saved me.I was reminded of when I have been “pushed back” to the edge by my own disobedience and right before the fall...He saved me.I was reminded of how I knew the “ Lord is with me” and I have nothing to fear because…He saved me.And I am filled with humility knowing I need a savior but my heart is overflowing with gratitude. The gratitude that comes from the revelation of His love. It has to be that by HIS LOVE FOR ME He saved me! His love for me is what finds me and brings me home. His love for me is why he never gives up on me and keeps working to transform me into the image of his son.ApplicationMake a declaration for our city, our church, and our families. Insert your family name below and say out loud that His love endures forever! Take a moment and express your gratitude in worship. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let Santa Clarita say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let Desert Streams Church say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let the house of _____ say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let all who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb say: “His love endures forever.”Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”