Bible League: Living His Word This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 ESV On the morning I'm writing this, I woke up feeling a gentle breeze coming through the open window that carried a hint of rainfall. Looking outside, I saw tiny white clouds floating against the blue skies. It was refreshing after a week of unusual heat and drought. "The LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain" (Jeremiah 5:24). With the fresh morning air in my lungs, I went to the bathroom for a shave and a shower. The power was on, and the water ran smoothly. A glass of cold water, a cup of freshly ground coffee – everything was just there for me, giving me what I expected it to give. "His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22—23). Now, sitting in my home office, writing this devotional, I realize I feel healthy and well and have been doing so for multiple days in a row. My laptop works, the ink in my pen hasn't dried out (I prefer to write manually), and my chair is as comfortable as ever. And suddenly, I think, why? Why on earth do I experience all these blessings while millions of other people around the world do not? What have I done to deserve this goodness? For a moment, I almost feel guilty for my health and wealth. It reminds me of a ministry field trip to Mozambique, where I visited a small bush village. I had to sit on a chair at a table under a tree and enjoy a meal of rice and roasted goat while all the other people were seated on the ground, waiting for me to finish. Initially, I felt highly uncomfortable because I knew eating fresh meat and rice was a privilege most villagers couldn't afford. However, Jaime, my host, told me that declining the food would be a severe offense to their hospitality. I should simply accept everything as a token of the people's appreciation of my visit. That taught me the true meaning of gratitude. It was a humbling experience. With that in mind, I now humble myself before the Lord, praying, "Thank You, my heavenly Father, for all You've given me this morning already. I'm not taking it for granted. You are the One Who provides, and I acknowledge that with deep gratitude. Thank You for the gift of life today. Thank You, above all, for the gift of eternal life in Christ. As I warm myself in Your love, may my words, thoughts, and deeds glorify Your Name. Amen." Today, I purposely want to thank God for even the smallest of His gifts. For this is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Are you with me? By Anton de Vreugd, Bible League International staff, the Netherlands Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 20, 21 Ezekiel 20 -- God Refuses the Elders of Israel; Destruction and Restoration of Jerusalem NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 21 -- Parable of the Sharp and Bright Sword NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading James 1 James 1 -- Trials and Temptations; Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.Insight How can you hold on to a good conscience? Treasure your faith in Christ more than anything else and do what you know is right. Each time you deliberately ignore your conscience, you are hardening your heart. Over a period of time your capacity to tell right from wrong will diminish. Challenge As you walk with God, he will speak to you through your conscience, letting you know the difference between right and wrong. Be sure to act on those inner tugs so that you do what is right—then your conscience will remain clear. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Titus 3:9 Avoid foolish questions.Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings. There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to "avoid foolish questions." Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 7:20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; James 3:11-13 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? • Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. • Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. Matthew 12:33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. Matthew 12:35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. Isaiah 5:4 "What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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