Psalm 39
Scripture: Psalm 39:5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Observation-What does it say? This psalm, written by David, is a reflection on the frailty of life. In the first half of the psalm, he is reflecting on the futility of words and the importance of holding back the tongue. The Matthew Henry commentary states, “When not able to separate from wicked men, we should remember they will watch our words, and turn them, if they can, to our disadvantage. Sometimes it may be necessary to keep silence, even from good words; but in general we are wrong when backward to engage in edifying discourse.” Or in the words of Thumper, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Life is too short for our words to turn someone away from God’s love. Understanding-What does it mean? Not too long ago, my older brother and his sons came to visit for about a week. During his visit, we were having a conversation about how life has funny outcomes that we often don’t expect. During the conversation, I made a comment about being more responsible than my brother. As comments from brother to brother often do, there was some intention of bothering him. But, what I thought was playful banter really hit him in a sensitive spot. Several days later, we were in Disneyland waiting in line for a ride and waiting far too long. Tensions were beginning to rise and I decided I had waited long enough. The whole thing fell apart. At the next line, we got into a shoving match, which ended with him saying, “You’re not the boss of this family,” and me walking away. Looking back at it, I could have bridled my tongue a little sooner. I could have sought to lift him up instead of tearing him down. And I wish I did. Sometimes, the greatest act of love to others and the best testimony we have for Jesus is to keep our mouths shut. We are reminded by Paul in Romans 12, that love is an action, which includes our words. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves...Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.” (Romans 12:9-10 & 14-16)
Life Application: Jesus, in this tumultuous time, help me to be mindful of my tongue, which, like the rutter of a ship, has the ability to get me shipwrecked or take me to great places. Help me to lift up, not tear down. May the first words out of my mouth be ones that glorify you, not myself. Most of all, help me learn when is a good time to be quiet. For, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:28).
Life Application: Jesus, in this tumultuous time, help me to be mindful of my tongue, which, like the rutter of a ship, has the ability to get me shipwrecked or take me to great places. Help me to lift up, not tear down. May the first words out of my mouth be ones that glorify you, not myself. Most of all, help me learn when is a good time to be quiet. For, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:28).
-Tyler Galloway
Jeremiah_19
Scripture - What stood out?
Jeremiah 19:4 For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.Observation - What does it say?Jeremiah, a messenger of God, delivers faithfully a message intended for the kings of Judah and the people of Jerusalem. The message was one of bad tidings. The nation of Judah had fallen away from God and so God responded by letting the people know what was about to happen to them.Understanding - What does it mean?I have really thought a lot about “idol worship” and foreign gods for several weeks now. Most christians can’t really relate to either of the two because most of us aren’t fashioning statues and worshiping false gods outright. But when I think about how Jesus focused so heavily on the conditions of our hearts I think I begin to understand how I might apply some of what Jeremiah preached to my life today.For if God cares so much about my heart than really a foreign god, a false god, and idol could potentially be anything that replaces God as my priority. That kinda opens the door wide open doesn't it? I have placed so many things above God in my life. Beauty, fame, fortune, power, physical strength, intelligence, lusts...All are things I used to obsess over at one point or another. In the days of the old testament people worshiped these “other gods” openly. Today we worship these non-gods in our heart. We just don’t call them foreign gods. (Although I am sure there exists open forms of religions that worship fake gods for sure.)Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?If Jeremiah were alive today I wonder if he would look at our society and out of his mouth would come these words…”For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.”
Lord forgive us our transgressions. I pray forgiveness for all the innocent blood we have spilled, for worshiping things in our hearts that our ancestors never knew. I pray against all the forms of pride, envy, bitterness, hatred, and lusts that we have prioritized in our hearts above you. Forgive us Lord and help us to refocus ourselves and hopefully our society’s heart back on You, Jesus. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen.
-kenneth lee
2 Timothy_1
Scripture
2 Timothy 1:6-7
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this letter to Timothy, Paul is reminding Timothy of the faith that was with his grandmother and mother, is also in him. Paul urges Timothy to continue to grow in his faith by using the spiritual gifts that God has blessed him with. He encourages Timothy to continue to live a wholesome life, a life that Paul has taught him to live. Paul reminds him of the possible danger that awaits because of his faith, but also encourages him to be strong because the Holy Spirit is with him. Paul ultimately urges Timothy to carry on where he left off. To continue to share the Good News wherever he goes.
Understanding-What does it mean?
What are you using the gifts God has blessed you with for?
Like Paul and Timothy here, we all have special gifts and talents God has blessed us with. But how are we using them? Are we using them to benefit only ourselves? Or are we using them to help others in need?-(and by doing so showing them a glimpse of who Jesus was, or even sharing with them who Jesus was and what He did)? We as Christ Followers were given a special mission by Jesus...to multiply Christ Followers everywhere-(Matthew 28:18-20). So how are we doing with that mission? Are we sitting back, timidly, waiting for people to come to us? Or are we being bold and courageous, going out into this world-(whether it’s your family, neighborhood, or workplace), and proclaiming the Good News. Remember what verse 7 says in this passage, that God does not give us that spirit of fear and timidity, but one of power, love and self discipline. Is there gonna be bumps along the road? Are we going to be ridiculed for our beliefs? I’m sure we will. But we must be strong! Have faith, and know the One we serve! The One who conquered this world, and the One who conquered death! Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”-John 16:33
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”-Matthew 10:32-33
Life Application
Have you had some pie lately?
Here at DSC, we spell pie differently. We spell it “PII”. It stands for Pray-Invest-Invite. We should all have a PII card with a list of at least 3 people who we want to see come to know Jesus. We should be praying for them, and praying that God can open up their hearts to His Good News. We should be investing in their lives. Helping them out when needed (remember: good works, produces good will, that will lead to the good news). Finally, we should be inviting them to church or even inviting them into a relationship with Jesus. I know I struggle with the last part, but I know with God’s help I can do it! And I know we all can do this too! I pray for all of God’s people to be on mission, to use the talents and gifts God has blessed us with to help further His Kingdom. Amen.
-Moses Gaddi