Today’s passages:  Isaiah, chapters 8-10; Hebrews, chapter 8
Scripture:        Isaiah 8:11-15 (NRSV) – For the Lord spoke to me thus while his hand was strong upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying:  Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread.  But the Lord of hosts, him shall you regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.  He will become a sanctuary, a stone one strikes against; for both houses of Israel he will become a rock one stumbles over – a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.
Observations:  The word “conspiracy” struck me as I read this passage today, probably because our political “discourse” seems to be little more than accusations of conspiracies from both “sides” of the discussion.  When we allow ourselves to be drawn into this way of thinking – looking for conspiracies everywhere, always fearing that “someone is out to get us” – we quickly become driven and governed by fear.  God’s Word makes it clear that his people are not to live in fear!  The Lord told Isaiah – and I believe that he is telling us – not to be drawn into this mindset of conspiracy:  do not fear what [‘this people’] fears, or be in dread.
I also believe that we need to re-orient ourselves toward God’s Kingdom and his purposes.  That doesn’t mean that we should not care at all about what goes on in this world; C.S. Lewis said that it is the people who are most heaven-minded who make the most difference on earth.  However, this “heaven-mindedness” is not just a wistful longing for “heaven,” but a concerted effort each day to see God’s Kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  When we do that, our ultimate priority is God’s Kingdom and his purposes, and not political or national issues and interests.
In our passage from Hebrews 8 today, the writer of Hebrews talks about the fact that if the first covenant was faultless – if it had been able to transform people from the inside – there would have been no need for a second one.  But God’s promise about this new covenant which he has established with us says that “I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Hebrews 8:10)  The point, to me, is clear:  our ultimate priority must be to work with God in the transformation of people, not to try to “pass better laws” or “elect better leaders.”  Those may be worthy goals, but the danger that too often comes to pass is that those things become the ultimate priority.  I read a quote recently that said that when power and truth collide, power usually wins. Jesus made it clear that we are to seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness.  When we do that, God (who still is in control, after all) will lead us to do the things that will bring his Kingdom into this world in greater measure. In God’s Kingdom, power and truth are not in conflict – because both belong to God.
Applications:  Every time I turn on a television news program (which, admittedly, is less and less often all the time), I am struck by the anger and fear that seems to drive our culture.  The people to whom Isaiah was speaking were seeking refuge in the king of Assyria, because they were afraid of what the other kings who lived around them would do. God’s message is clearly to trust in him, not in political leaders.  It’s interesting that in Isaiah 10, after God has said that he would use Assyria to punish those other countries, God also says that Assyria itself would be punished:  “Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts:  O my people, who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians when they beat you with a rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. For in a very little while my indignation will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction.” (Isaiah 10:24-25, NRSV)  The fact that God may use someone – or some nation – does not mean that God approves of all that they do; just as God punished Assyria for its pride (see Isaiah 10:12), God will ultimately be proved in our world to be the only King.  God is reminding me to seek his Kingdom, and his righteousness, and not to get caught up in conspiracies and the plans of men.
Prayer:  Father, thank you for the reminder that you are in control – no matter how things may seem from our perspective.  There are no conspiracies that are hidden from you; there are no powers on earth that can stand against you.  Help me to put my trust completely in you, and not in the ideas or programs of men. You have written your word on my heart; help me to be faithful to your leading.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Micah, chapters 5-7; Hebrews, chapter 7
Scripture:        Micah 7:18-20 (NRSV) – Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession?  He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency.  He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.  You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.
Observations:  There are two passages in Micah which are probably most familiar to Christians, and both of them are in our passage from Micah for today.  In chapter 5, there is the prophecy about the ruler who will come out of Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.  Micah 6:8 is the other familiar verse:  “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness [or mercy], and to walk humbly with your God?”
For me, the verses from chapter 7 which I’ve quoted above link those two familiar passages together, and summarize the “good news” out of Micah’s prophecy.  After all, the reason that there are promises about a new ruler who will arise and about God’s blessing and faithfulness to “the remnant” is because there is a prophecy about the coming destruction of Judah and Samaria. The first chapters of Micah focus on the sins of God’s people, and the judgment that is to come.  God’s compassion and forgiveness does not automatically remove the consequences of sin.  That was true for the people of the covenants with Israel, and it is true for God’s people today.
In many cases, the consequences of sinful choices are the very vehicle which “bring us to our senses” (as in the parable of the Prodigal) and cause us to turn back to God.  Repentance is not simply regret over the consequences of our sin; it is an acknowledgment that we were wrong.  Without an acceptance of our responsibility and our culpability, there is no real repentance.  Rather than trying to blame someone else for our misdeeds, we need to “wear the hat” – own up to the fact that we are to blame, and ask God to forgive us.
The good news is that he is a God who pardons iniquity, who delights in showing clemency.  I love the phrase that he will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.  I’m reminded of one description of God’s forgiveness:  he casts all of our sins into the depths of the sea, and then puts up a sign that says, “No fishing!”  When he forgives our sins, “he remembers them no more” (see Hebrews 8:12).
What a wonderful promise to those who struggle with understanding God’s forgiveness! But we have to do our part:  we have to acknowledge our sin.  God doesn’t just issue a blanket forgiveness of all of the sins in the world; we have to confess our sins.  When we do, “he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Applications:  There are a lot of people who were raised in the church in a time of legalism and judgment. I remember ministering to one “seasoned saint” many years ago.  She was a wonderful lady, but she was wracked with guilt over the fact that she wore pants to church!  I helped her to understand that there is a difference between our cultural interpretations and practices and God’s commands, but it took her a while to work through the guilt that she had been carrying!  God longs for people to experience the freedom and joy of his forgiveness!  We need to accept his forgiveness, and stop letting Satan keep us oppressed by the memories of sins that God has forgiven; and we need to extend God’s forgiveness and mercy to others.  We do that by being willing to forgive, and by living as examples of the joy and peace that God offers.
Prayer:  Father, I thank you for the reminder today of the scope and the depth of your forgiveness. Help me to display the joy and the peace that comes from knowing your mercy, and help me to share that message with others.  May my life and my words point people toward the freedom and forgiveness that can only be found in you.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Micah, chapters 1-4; Hebrews, chapter 6
Scripture:        Hebrews 6:1-12 (NRSV) – Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation:  repentance from dead works and faith toward God, instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And we will do this, if God permits.  For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt.  Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.  But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.  Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.  And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Observations:  The first thing that catches my attention is the call to “go on toward perfection.” This is a strong reminder that we can never “rest on our laurels” in our walk with Christ; there is always more work for God to do in us to make us more and more like Jesus.  Whenever Satan tries to convince us that we’re “good enough,” may God remind us that we’re not “good enough” until we are fully conformed to the image of Christ!
The second thought comes from the statement that it is impossible to restore to repentance those who have once been enlightened and then have fallen away. Last night, my Bible study group and I were discussing Jesus’ call to the Laodicean church to repent and return to him (Revelation 3:14-22).  I shared with them that although we believe that it is possible for those who have come to faith to fall away, it is not as easy as we had been led to believe in our younger days.  In the same way, this passage makes it clear that it is possible to have once been enlightened…and then have fallen away. But I would submit that it is not as easy as some might fear.  The depth of this “falling away” is reflected in the statement that those who do so are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up for contempt.  This involves more than just a momentary lapse, or a protracted struggle; it is a complete renunciation of faith and the Lordship of Christ in our lives.  We need to guard our hearts, and strive daily for communion with God and spiritual growth; if we do so, we will not degenerate into an open and willful rejection of God as Lord of our lives.  Jesus’ call to the Laodicean church to repent reminds us that it is very difficult for us to move to the place where repentance and forgiveness are impossible.
The third thing that God brought to my attention is the example of ground that receives rain. The writer of Hebrews is making it clear that we who receive the blessing of God’s Word are expected to produce a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated.  If we do not – if we produce thorns and thistles– then like the ground referred to, we are worthless and on the verge of being cursed.  What is the “crop” of thorns and thistles? God immediately brought to my mind the repeated condemnation of anger, bitterness, dissension, and division which we find in the New Testament epistles.  Christians who produce this “crop” are in spiritual danger, because God’s Word makes it clear that these things are not what he expects from us!  This part of the passage reminds us that “going on toward perfection” involves producing a crop of righteousness, and not producing a crop of bitterness and division.
Finally, God focused my attention on the last part of the passage – the call again to diligence in the pursuit of Christlikeness.  We are called to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  We show this diligence by not becoming sluggish – by not sitting by while others are doing the work of the Kingdom, by not thinking that God doesn’t expect any more of us.  As long as we are still here, we can be sure of two things:  God still has work that he is doing in us, and he still has work that he expects from us.  This is the course which will lead us to inherit the promises!
Applications:  God is reminding me today that the work that he has for each of us is a vital part of our process of growth and maturity.  It is important for us to study the Word, to strive to learn more about God and his Kingdom, but it is just as important for us to put what we learn into practice.  That’s why the “application” part of our daily reflections is so important; once we know what God is saying to us, when need to ask him what he wants us to do with what we’ve learned.  God is reminding me that I have to be more intentional and more persistent in challenging his people to put into practice what he has shown them, in order to build his Kingdom.
Prayer:  Father, thank you for the assurance that you are teaching us, and that you have work for us to do that will flow from the things that you teach us.  Help us not to “hijack the train” by figuring out how we want to put your truth into practice; help us to allow you to lead us to the opportunities which you have prepared for us to minister.  As we pray that your Kingdom would come and your will be done, remind us that we are committing to do your will; remind us that that is the way that your Kingdom comes in ever greater measure. Help us to be the places where your Kingdom meets this world, and to communicate the joy and peace that come from knowing you.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Hosea, chapters 13-14; Psalms 100, 102; Hebrews, chapter 5
Scripture:        Psalm 102:18-22 (NRSV) – Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:  that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die; so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
Observations: This declaration comes in the middle of a prayer of lament, which is very interesting.  In the first few verses, the psalmist says:  “Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.  Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call…My heart is stricken and withered like grass; I am too wasted to eat my bread.  Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.”  (vv 2, 4-5)  So when we come to the verses quoted above, it seems to me that the psalmist is speaking by faith, about what he expects God to do – not what God has already done.
How many times do we pray in the midst of our trials as though God has already answered our prayer?  Perhaps learning to do that is the “mustard seed” of faith that we need to develop in order to see God work the way that he has promised.  Jesus taught us to pray each day for our daily bread, and God always provides just what we need.  Jesus also taught us to pray for deliverance from evil each day; do we believe that with the same confidence that we believe that God will provide?  When we pray that God’s Kingdom would come, do we do his will in faith believing that our obedience helps his Kingdom to come?  When we learn to walk in faith, knowing that God will provide, knowing that God will deliver us, we will begin to develop the faith that allows us to pray in the midst of our fiercest trials:  Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:  that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die; so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
Applications:  God is reminding me today that intentional faith is to be a part of every day.  He doesn’t just want us to express faith when we think that we need his help; he wants us to walk in faith every day. When we begin to do that, we will begin to believe that God will work in even greater ways than he already has – whether that is in our own lives, in our churches, or in the world around us. God’s power has not changed; his desire to see people transformed has not changed.  He is waiting for his people to walk in the kind of faith that opens the door for him to do his mighty work!
Prayer:  Father, help me today to walk in faith, believing that you are guiding me in each step, each word, each action.  Attune my heart to hear your voice, and help me to obey.  May your kingdom come and your will be done today, on earth – by me – as in heaven.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Hosea, chapters 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews, chapter 4
Scripture:        Hebrews 4:12-16 (NRSV) – Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.  Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.
Observations:  The writer of Hebrews begins chapter 4 with the discussion of “entering God’s rest,” discussing how the Israelites who rebelled in the desert did not enter that rest, and then saying that a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God, and encouraging us to “make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs” (v 11).  So when verse 12 begins with the statement about God’s Word being living and active, we must read that in connection with the call to “make every effort to enter that rest” and to avoid disobedience.  This is another reminder – if we needed it – that knowing and following God’s Word is vitally important for those who seek to live in relationship with God.
Within that same context, the writer of Hebrews goes on to remind us that Jesus, our great high priest, is able to understand and sympathize with our weaknesses, because he in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.  Too many times we view this verse from the wrong perspective.  We allow Satan to tell us that Jesus was able to live without sin, but we cannot, because we’re not him.  The thrust of the verse is rather that because he was tested (or tempted, as the NRSV footnote states) in every respect as we are, he understands the challenges, and is able to help us to overcome temptation.  The word that is translated “weaknesses” means, in the spiritual sense, a lack of strength or capacity to do what is required. The fact that he understands our weaknesses does not mean that he simply excuses our weakness; it means that he knows exactly what to do to help us overcome it.
This is consistent with the call to “hold fast” to our confession.  It is also consistent with verse 16:  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.  It is that “grace to help” that overcomes our weakness, and enables us to “not fall through such disobedience as theirs.”  God’s desire for us is to be victorious over sin, not just to “manage” sin.  The power of Jesus’ blood that is able to forgive our sins is also able to “cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Applications:  God keeps directing my attention to things which reinforce the importance of spending time reading and reflecting on Scripture.  I can only surmise that the reason for this is that he wants me to keep talking about it!  It’s always interesting for me to see the ways that God works, and how he leads me. I’m so prone to getting an idea and just running off on my own with it, but God usually finds the way to gentle lead me back to where he wants me to go.  I experienced one of those moments yesterday, as God brought a phrase from Scripture to my mind to confirm a direction where he is leading.  God’s word is living and active indeed!
Prayer:  Father, thank you for the ways that you use your Word in my life to guide, to instruct, to shape, and to warn me so I can walk in your way.  Help me today to see your path for me, and to walk in it, so I can bring glory and honor to you.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Hosea, chapters 6-9; Hebrews, chapter 3
Scripture:        Hebrews 3:7-19 (NRSV) – Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.’  As in my anger I swore, ‘They will not enter my rest.’”  Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have become partners in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.  As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”  Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious?  Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?  And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient?  So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Observations:  This passage seems to me to connect with a few verses from our Old Testament reading from today, Hosea 9:7-9:  “The days of punishment have come, the days of recompense have come; Israel cries, ‘The prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit is mad!’  Because of your great iniquity, your hostility is great.  The prophet is a sentinel for my God over Ephraim, yet a fowler’s snare is on all his ways, and hostility in the house of his God. They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; he will remember their iniquity, he will punish their sins.”
The people of Israel had seen God work in many, many ways throughout their history.  The writer of Hebrews talks about the rebellion in the desert of the people whom Moses had led out of Egypt; Hosea talks about the current state of the nations of Israel and Judah during his time.  The situations were similar:  people who had known God, who had seen God work in mighty ways, rebelled against him and against those who proclaimed his truth. The situation is much the same today. The voice of “the prophet” – those who speak God’s message on his behalf – is largely ignored; as Hosea wrote, people think, “the prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit is mad!”  Even within the Church, many people do not listen to God’s Word; those who are charged to proclaim it now ignore the Word and proclaim their own messages.  As the apostle Paul said would happen, people refuse to listen to sound teaching and instead flock to teachers who tell them what “their itching ears” want to hear.
The Bible also warns us not to be deceived, because what we sow, we also reap. Churches and individuals who reject God’s Word and follow their own paths will ultimately face the consequences of their actions.  That is why it is so important for each believer to read the Word, so they will know which voices are proclaiming God’s whole truth and which are proclaiming only part (or a different message entirely).  In the days of the Exodus, God offered to come and meet with Israel, and to speak to them, but they told Moses, “You go and talk to God, and then come back and tell us what he says.”  Whenever we rely totally on others to tell us what God says, we are prone to error – because we will always tend to listen to what we like, rather than the truth.  We need to read the Word ourselves, but we also need the corrective effect of other voices which help us to recognize things we might miss on our own.  This is yet another reason that God calls us into community – because we need the balance and insight of believers who see things from a different perspective.
Applications:  There is no segment of the Church which is exempt from this danger.  We are not called to argue with each other over which part of the truth is “most important”; we are called to proclaim the whole counsel of God.  That includes, for instance, not only proclaiming the call to sexual purity as set forth in Scripture, but also proclaiming God’s command for us to care for the widows, orphans, and “aliens and strangers” among us.  Our calls for obedience and faithfulness must also include reminders of God’s grace and mercy – and we must also remember Jesus’ call for us to be merciful and to love our enemies as well as our neighbors, family, and friends.  We are the Body of Christ, and we are called to represent Christ and embody his presence to everyone.
Prayer:  Father, thank you for reminding me of the danger that comes from focusing only on the parts of your Word that are comfortable to me.  Thank you for reminding me, too, that I cannot listen only to the voices with whom I agree.  Your Spirit helps me to recognize your truth, even when the truth points me to things that make me uncomfortable.  Help me not to shy away from hearing your truth, and help me not to shy away from speaking your truth when you call me to do so.  But most of all, help me to live in ways that bear witness to your truth, your mercy, and your grace.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Hosea, chapters 2-5; Hebrews, chapter 2
Scripture:        Hebrews 2:1-4 (NRSV) – Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.  For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?  It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.
Observations:  This section of Hebrews chapter 2 is entitled “Warning to Pay Attention” in the NRSV, and I think that is a good title for all of today’s readings.  Our Old Testament reading, Hosea chapters 2-5, talks about Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and the judgment that was coming upon them.  We need to remember that in the New Testament world, the Church was the corollary to Israel in the Old Testament – so the “warning to pay attention” is a warning to the Church.
Hosea chapter 4 sets forth God’s charge against Israel:  “Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel; for the Lord has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land.  There is no faithfulness or loyalty, and no knowledge of God in the land. Swearing, lying, and murder, and stealing and adultery break out; bloodshed follows bloodshed.  Therefore the land mourns, and all who live in it languish; together with the wild animals and the birds of the air, even the fish of the sea are perishing.  Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest. You shall stumble by day; the prophet also shall stumble with you by night, and I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me.  And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” (Hosea 4:1-6)
The phrase “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” stands out to me, because of the growing degree of Biblical illiteracy among God’s people in the United States.  Since May 2017, God has been reminding me daily how important it is to spend time in his Word.  I’ve encouraged the people of the church that I serve to participate in these daily readings, and to spend time reflecting on what God is saying to them through his Word.  I’ve been encouraged by the way that God is working in the lives of those who are participating – and I’ve been discouraged by the number of people who are not.  On average, it takes about 40 minutes each day to read the passages and reflect on them – which is certainly not an unreasonable amount of time to spend listening to God!
I think that a big part of the problem is that people confuse this sort of reading with their “devotional” reading; most people use a devotional book for that. The problem is that “devotional” readings usually focus only on a few verses, and through the course of a year they do not come close to covering the entire Bible.  The daily reading schedule that I use takes me through the entire Bible during the calendar year (twice through the New Testament, once through the Old Testament).  I’m not saying that everyone has to follow that particular schedule, but daily reading and reflection should use a schedule that exposes us to the entire Bible during the year.
Reading Hosea always brings me back to the first day I started reading and reflecting on Scripture in this way, in May 2017.  I had begun reading The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro for a class that I was taking, and God spoke clearly to me that I needed to start doing this kind of reading the next day. I hadn’t read enough of The Divine Mentor to get to the reading schedule, so I thought, “Where should I start reading?”  God reminded me of a comment in the book about how often the Minor Prophets are ignored, and said, “Start reading in Hosea.”  So I read the first three chapters of Hosea, and Hosea 2:16 jumped out at me: “’When that day comes,’ says the Lord, ‘you will call me “my husband” instead of “my master.”’” (NLT)  (I was reading from the NLT last year because God led me to use a different translation than my “usual” translation, the NIV; I needed to read a less familiar translation to help me to focus on what I was reading, rather than just skimming through familiar passages.  That’s the same reason I’m using the NRSV this year.)  Here is my observation on that verse from May 9, 2017:
“The phrase “no longer call me ‘my master’” struck me – because we often think of God as ‘master’ – and he is.  But this passage tells us that God’s desire is that we would not think of him solely as our ‘master’ – but as our spouse.  That brings to mind all of the imagery of the Song of Songs, and the idea that God wants us to love him, to think about him, in the same way as a husband or wife thinks of their spouse.  “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men.  I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.  Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.”  (Song of Songs 2:3-5)  “Delight to sit in his shade” – content to stay there, ‘doing nothing,’ just enjoying the moment.  How often we rush through our time with the Lord, to get on to the things of the day, when God longs for us to want to stay in his presence.”
Applications:  It’s amazing to me to think back on how much God has shown me since that first day of reflective reading – and today’s “Warning to Pay Attention” reminds me how important the knowledge of God’s Word is.  I think about how many churches, and church leaders, choose to ignore the clear teaching of Scripture, substituting their own judgment of what is “right” for what God has said, and it is frightening.  But even as I think about that, God reminds me that any church and any believer that neglects and ignores God’s Word is susceptible to the same danger.  It is so easy for us to just assume that what we think is what God thinks!  God is reminding me that I need to continue to stress the importance of reading and reflecting on God’s Word each day, because the spiritual dangers that this world presents to us requires constant connection with God.
Prayer:  Father, I thank you for your goodness and mercy in helping me to understand how important it is to spend time in your Word each day.  I know that this is not a legalistic thing with you; you simply show me how much it helps me to listen to you each day.  Help me to continue to share this with others in ways that allows them to experience your direction and your presence each day through time spent in your Word.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Isaiah, chapters 6-7; 2 Chronicles, chapters 26-27; Philemon
Scripture:        Philemon 8-21 (NRSV) – For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love – and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.  I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.  Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.  I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.  I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.  Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother – especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.  If he owes you anything, charge that to my account.  I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand:  I will repay it.  I say nothing about your owing me even your own self.  Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord!  Refresh my heart in Christ.  Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Observations:  In today’s passages, we see a contrast between human pride and being “bold in Christ.” In 2 Chronicles 26, we read how God blessed King Uzziah of Judah, and helped him to win great battles and strengthen the country.  But verse 16 says, “But when he had become strong he grew proud, to his destruction.” He became so sure of himself that he thought to go into the Temple and offer incense to the Lord – and that was a task that God had reserved to the priests.  When the priests confronted him, Uzziah grew angry – and anger is a symptom of human pride.  Verse 19 says that when Uzziah became angry, he immediately developed leprosy on his forehead – which made him ceremonially unclean.  He hurried out of the Temple, because he recognized that “the Lord had struck him” (verse 20).  The consequences of his pride stayed with him for the rest of his life; he remained a leper, and had to live in a separate house from his family until he died.  He had been a good king, but human pride had sprung up in his heart – and he lived with the result of his sin the rest of his life.
In contrast, Paul’s letter to Philemon demonstrates what Paul calls being “bold in Christ.”  He is writing to Philemon about Onesimus, who was a slave belonging to Philemon. Basically, Paul is asking Philemon to send Onesimus back to Paul so he could serve Paul while Paul was imprisoned. Paul says:  “though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love…”(vv 8-9).  It takes a lot of boldness to ask someone to give you something; it takes quite a bit more to say that you could command them to do it as a duty!  Yet Paul says that he has the right to command Philemon to do it.
We live in a time when many Christians fail to honor the clear commandments of God relating to giving to God and his work.  Surveys reveal that in the United States, only 3-5% of people who identify themselves as Christians tithe.  (“Tithing” is the Biblical practice of giving 10% of your income to the church.)  Although God’s Word makes it clear that this is his command to his people (Malachi 3:8-10), the vast majority of people who consider themselves Christian obey this command.
I mention that only to point out how stunning Paul’s comment to Philemon is.  Paul believed that he had the authority to command Philemon to give Onesimus to him – and he expected Philemon to understand and agree with that!  The fact that Paul says that he doesn’t want to command Philemon to do it, and that he hopes that Philemon would do it willingly, does not change the fact that Paul believed that he had the authority to command Philemon to do it, and that it was Philemon’s duty to do so.
Applications:  I’m frankly uncomfortable with the kind of boldness that Paul displays in this letter to Philemon – but God is reminding me that obedience is a critical part of our relationship with him.  If I’m not willing to follow his leadership, I’m not going to be willing to follow those whom he has put in leadership.  If I’m not willing to obey them, I’ve set myself up as the final authority of what is right and wrong – and that will lead me to the same error as Uzziah committed. If I’m following God’s authority, I have to be willing to follow those whom he has established as leaders in the church – and I have to be willing to lead the people that he has called me to lead. Leading is certainly not about just giving orders to people – but there are times when leaders do have to do that. If we’re not willing to lead the way that God directs, we’re not leading people toward God at all.
Prayer:  Father, I struggle with telling people “this is what God says” – yet there are times when you clearly tell me to do that.  If I’m willing to proclaim “this is what God says” from the pulpit on Sunday, I also have to be willing to say it in my office on Thursday, or in a small group on Monday – or when I’m writing and posting things online.  Help me to never substitute my thoughts for your direction; help me to never shrink away from saying what you tell me to say. Help me to live in such a way that your direction is well-received by those with whom I share it, so that it is clear that you, not me, are the source of that direction.  Help me to obey you, so others will be drawn to obedience as well.  Amen.

Today’s passages:  Isaiah, chapters 4-5; Psalms 115-116; Jude
Scripture:        Jude 3-4, 17-25 (NRSV) – Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ…
But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; for they said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.’  It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions.  But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.
Observations:  This short letter from Jude “to those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ,” has a great deal of meat for us to chew on. First, it’s interesting that even in the early days of the church, he found it necessary to urge them “to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” because people had worked their way into the fellowship of the church who were now “perverting the grace of God into licentiousness.”  In other words, the problem was that people were using God’s grace as an excuse to live however they wanted to live.  Paul dealt with the same problem, as did Peter and John.  Now, nearly two thousand years later, we face the same problem – people who use God’s grace as an excuse to ignore the clear call to live holy lives.
In the latter part of the letter – the second portion set forth above – he notes that the apostles had warned that “in the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.” As I’ve probably mentioned before, “the last time” began with Jesus’ return to his Father’s side, and will continue until he returns.  We too are living in “the last time,” and it should be plain that there are large segments of the Church who have chosen to ignore the Biblical standards for holy living and have come up with their own definitions of what is “right.”  Jude gives us some practical advice for avoiding being drawn into this sort of error:  “build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.”  I view these warnings within the broad teaching of Scripture:  “be holy, as I the Lord your God am holy.”  We are to strive to live in ways that honor God and reflect the truth of his Word, rather than indulging ourselves and excusing sin as though God’s mercy makes obedience irrelevant.
But it’s also interesting to me that Jude tells us that it is those who are “devoid of the Spirit” who cause divisions in the Church.  It is not those who are striving to be holy as God has commanded us who cause divisions; it is those who use God’s grace as an excuse for indulgence.  The clear call of Scripture is for God’s people to be holy, and those who strive to be holy and encourage others to do so are the true guardians of the unity of the Body of Christ.
That brings us to the last two verses of Jude’s letter, which is one of the greatest benedictions in Scripture (in my opinion):  Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.  He is able to keep us from falling; he has not made “falling” irrelevant.  He is able to make us stand without blemish in the presence of his glory; he has not declared that he will just ignore our blemishes.  Jude challenges us to build ourselves up, to pray in the Holy Spirit, and to keep ourselves in the love of God. All of these exhortations remind us that what we do matters!
Applications:  God is reminding me how important it is to strive for faithfulness and obedience, and to challenge each other to do the same.  In a world where the bar seems to be lowered more and more each day, God’s people should hold to a standard of purity and integrity which reflects the power of his Spirit which is at work in us.  The message of the gospel is not to “dumb down” morality; it is to proclaim that Christ makes us able to be holy as God has commanded.
Prayer:  Father, I praise you that you are able to keep us from falling, and to make us stand without blemish in your presence.  Help me to live today in ways that reflect your holiness, and your power to make us holy.  Help me to reflect your holiness in love; your love is reflected in your holiness, and you call us to be models and sharers of your holy love.  May your holiness in us never deteriorate into self-righteousness, but may it always be a reflection of your mercy and your grace. Amen.

Today’s readings:  Isaiah, chapters 1-3; Titus, chapter 3
Scripture:        Titus 3:1-11 (NRSV) – Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  The saying is sure. 
I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone.  But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.  After a first and second admonition, having nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.
Observations:  It is interesting how many times the New Testament epistles talk about being subject to rulers and authorities.  That command was not based on the goodness of those earthly rulers; the Roman government kept peace through overwhelming force and violence.  As time went on, the Roman rulers proved more and more hostile to Christians, and persecution became commonplace.  So the teaching to be subject to the rulers and authorities was not based on the quality of the rulers; rather, it was grounded in the ultimate sovereignty of God.
The early Christians were under no delusions about their rulers; neither should we be under any such delusions.  We are called to be subject to rulers and authorities as a reflection of our ultimate commitment to God.  “Being subject” did not mean simply doing whatever the rulers and authorities said, because Christians refused to declare “Caesar is Lord” and offer the pinch of incense as a sacrifice to the emperor.  That was a command of the emperor, and those who refused suffered a great deal.  “Being subject” in that case meant accepting the penalty for disobedience with grace, in witness of their ultimate allegiance to Jesus.
Today, believers around the world live in many different circumstances and are subject to many different types of rulers and authorities.  In some places, allegiance to Jesus places Christians at great risk. In other places – like the United States – we have the freedom to worship, and to participate in the political system through voting, speaking, and even as candidates for election. This means that “being subject” looks different in various places around the world.  But we must never forget that our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, and we can never allow that allegiance to be weakened by anything that we do or say in the political realm.
There’s another thing that many of the epistles talk about, and we see it in today’s passage as well:  speak evil of no one…avoid quarreling…be gentle…show every courtesy to everyone.  In a world where anger and bitterness seems to have a stronger hold every day, followers of Jesus must bear the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.  How might our communities be different if we followed Paul’s admonition to speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show every courtesy to everyone?
Applications:  In my readings over the past few months, I’ve been struck by how often these sorts of phrases have appeared, and how often God has directed my attention to them.  I believe that God is directing me to be more intentional about these issues, and about how I need to respond when I am confronted with those who speak evil of others, those who quarrel, and those who do not show courtesy to others.  Paul’s words to Titus are directed to a spiritual leader, and Paul begins chapter 3 with the phrase “Remind them.”  It’s part of my responsibility to remind those whom I serve that this is God’s desire for us, and I believe that God is telling me to pay more attention to that responsibility.
Prayer:  Father, it is easy to be joyful and patient when I am alone with you; it is much more challenging when I am confronted with the anger and the bitterness of this world. Help me to bear the fruit of your Spirit each day, in ways that offer an alternative to the spirit of this age. Bathe me in your Spirit each day, so that I may reflect the joy and the peace that comes from your presence and your work in me.  Help me today to bear witness to you.  Amen.