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
2 Timothy_2
Scripture
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Observation-What does it say?
Paul continues his letter to Timothy, exhorting him to Christian behavior.
Understanding-What does it mean?
We belong to Him, We follow Him.
Since we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, let's live a life that is worthy of the price he paid for our redemption.
2 Timothy 2:19- Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Life Application
Learn His ways, Follow His ways.
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.
John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Father, I do love you. You have shown your love to me in so many ways, everyday. Even after you sent your Son for me, you still love me everyday. Father forgive me for not following your commandments and loving you the way you deserve to be loved. Holy Spirit, empower me and teach me to love and obey you. May there be less of my flesh and more of your spirit that lives in me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
-Deborah Lee
Psalm 16
Scripture Psalm 16:5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
Observation-What does it say? This psalmist continues praising God through worship, a music most pleasing to our Heavenly Father’s ears. They begin by asking God for safety and then they proceed to glorify Him, by showering Him with compliments.
Understanding-What does it mean? First of all, I love how simple their praise to God was. They simply showered Him with compliments and spoke to His nature, which I think often times we put all this built up pressure around. Worship is simply speaking to God and letting Him know how great and wonderful we think He is. Anyway, that was more of a side note. “You alone are my portion and my cup…” I hung on those words for a bit. Lately, I’ve been into having an extended pity party. So much so that I would say it has affected my worship. I even found myself saying this a little bit ago “How can I sing these songs of praise when there are some thing in my life that have yet to be fulfilled or resolved?” I found myself getting angry at the fact that I had gotten in three car accidents this past year (no injuries in any) despite praying every time I get behind the wheel. I began blaming my shortcomings on God, rather than praising the fact that HE IS FAITHFUL. Yeah, I got in three car accidents but I’ve gotten out of every one of them unscathed.
There is only one thing in this world that can satisfy. One thing that calms our every anxiety, stress, or worry. One thing that remains constant and for that should be our only portion. Even when I don’t understand what is going on or why things happen the way that they do I know one thing is for certain: my God is greater and He is enough. He provides when I don’t even see it, He cares for me even when I’ve turned my back on Him, He alone is my portion. My one true cause.
Life Application Live in a way that brings worship to God even when you think He isn’t watching. If we believe that He alone is our portion and our cup, then our lives better reflect it. No more timid Christianity. It’s time to take pride in the one who created us and provides no matter the cost. He already paid the ultimate price, the least I can do is live a life of gratitude and worship. Worship is only speaking to His nature and thanking Him for His goodness. Words are not the only praise that should come from our bodies, our actions should be a living sacrifice to our one true portion, who despite any circumstance cares deeply for us. God, may I live a life that brings You honor, may I remind myself everyday when I wake up that Your plans for me are good, no matter the situation I may find myself in. May I not only rely on You when I need, but may You be the center of my being. Align my heart to Yours and may Your will be done in and through me. So be it! Amen.
-Allison Khan
2 Chronicles 9
Scripture
2 Chronicles 9:22-24; 30-31
22 So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. 23 Kings from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. 24 Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.....30 Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. 31 When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.
Observation-What does it say?
God kept His promise. Let’s back up to 2 Chronicles 1. God told King Solomon to ask Him for anything and He will do it. King Solomon knew that the job He was called to as King was a big job and He needed the Lord’s help and wisdom, so He asked for wisdom. God was impressed that he didn’t ask for wealth, possessions, honor, death of enemies or long life, so God answered His prayer for wisdom, but also said He would throw in worldly riches and success and honor as well. (Please read 2 Chronicles 1 and read Deborah Lee’s post dated August 1st if you missed it).
This chapter shows that God kept His promise and revealed the legacy that King Solomon left before he died, which had nothing to do with how rich he was by the way.
Understanding-What does it mean?
God keeps His promises.
When we read this chapter, we can’t help but give glory to God. All the wisdom and riches that King Solomon was blessed with could only be from God. He was the richest and wisest King there was before and after his reign, because God knew his heart would not be ruled it. The Lord was the King of Solomon's heart. He reminds me of his father, King David, who Scripture describes as a "man after God's own heart."
Life Application
Leave a legacy that will last for eternity.
What legacy are we leaving?
King Solomon lived His life honoring the Lord, connected and dependent on the Vine. The honor and riches and success were just a secondary benefit. When King Solomon left this world, He couldn’t take any of those riches with Him, yet His faith and friendship with the Lord lasted for eternity. The goal is not to ask for the riches and successes that King Solomon had. The goal is to ask for more of Jesus and to be men/women after God's own heart. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added unto You (Matthew 6:33).
The following verses are from a chapter in another one of our readings this morning. It fits so well.
1 Tim 6:6-10; 17-19
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.......17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
Dear Lord, I pray that the legacy we leave will be that You were #1 in our lives. May any secondary benefits that come from putting You first point others back to You Jesus. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi