Author Archives: chadzaucha

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

God has blessed me far beyond anything that I deserve. I have no room to complain about anything. Even the hard things in life I know God will use for my good. I am thankful.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 20:1-49; Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 27:11.

Hebrews 9:3 (NIV)
Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

Hebrews 10:19 (NIV)
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

No barriers.  The blood of Jesus has removed them all.  We have the ability to do what would have been unthinkable to the Jews prior to Jesus:  enter into the very presence of God.  This means that we are as close to God as we choose to be.  It is on us.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10;
Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10.

Proverbs 27:7 (NIV)
He who is full loathes honey,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Canned peas.  Is there anything worse?  I threw some in the garbage last night because I don’t like the way they taste.  To someone starving, however, those peas would have tasted like cake.  I am convicted about my selfish, wasteful perspective that comes from my full belly.  I can do better.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 16:43b-17:24; Hebrews 8:1-13; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 27:7-9.

Yes. And the reason for His great jealousy is because of His great love. The Bible describes our relationship with God like that of a marriage. Sadly, some of you know firsthand the heart wrenching jealousy that comes when spouses are unfaithful. In relation to God, we are that unfaithful spouse that has chased after lesser lovers. It is only natural, right, and good that the God who loves us so much is jealous, not of us, but for us. Our reading today in the book of Ezekiel corresponds beautifully with one of today’s Proverbs:

Proverbs 27:4 (NIV)
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?

In Ezekiel, God pours out His heart regarding the unfaithfulness of Israel. He uses graphic language to describe their prostitution. They have stirred His jealousy. Too many times I have also stirred His jealousy by pursuing lesser gods. I am thankful for God’s great jealousy for me, because it is evidence of His great love for me – a love so great that He sent His Son to die in my place.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 14:12-16:43a; Hebrews 7:18-28; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 27:4-6.

¹⁴ For he knows how weak we are;
    he remembers we are only dust.

That encouraged me today.  Sometimes I think God expects me to be some kind of super hero.  He knows, and I know, that isn’t happening.  I am weak.  I fail miserably.  I am ashamed.  But God knows how weak I am.  I am only dust.  That takes a lot of pressure off me.  But the even better news is that when I am weak, then He is strong.  He is the super hero and He wants to exhibit His power through me.  The only thing I must do is surrender.  

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Lamentations 4:1-5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 26:2.

Titus 1:9 (NIV)
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

I am passionate about doctrine.  Many people are not.  They say something like, “Doctrine can be so divisive.  Can’t we just all love Jesus and exercise a simple faith in Him?”  I appreciate the sentiment, but the methodology is flawed.  You see, Jesus said that He Himself is the Truth.  To not care about doctrinal Truth is to not care about Jesus.  Further, Satan is the father of lies.  To stray from the truth is to wander into Satan’s domain.  Doctrinal truth matters.  It is the truth of the Gospel that saves.  May we humbly embrace the importance of doctrine together.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16.

2 Tim. 4:2 (NIV)
Preach the Word;

Being a pastor requires me to wear many hats–sometimes all at once.  Sometimes I forget which hat(s) I am wearing or where I put one of them.  It can get overwhelming.  But then I am reminded of this simple statement from Paul to Timothy:  “Preach the Word.”  Suddenly, my job becomes very simple.  All the hats point back to this.  I am grateful for this clear reminder.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22;
Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12.

²² Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.

One of the greatest examples of this is Joseph literally running away from Potiphar’s wife in the book of Genesis.  It is interesting that so much of the entertainment industry that we voluntarily embrace is designed to entice us to run toward youthful lusts.  This is clearly a case where to be a follower of Christ requires being radically counter cultural.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 (NIV)
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [4] No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.

The Bible makes it clear that we are involved in a violent cosmic conflict–the ultimate battle between good and evil.  Satan is constantly at work in an effort to steal God’s glory through bringing death and destruction here on earth.  But Jesus invaded the territory of the enemy and won the ultimate victory on the cross.    As Christ followers we are entrusted with the mission of enforcing that victory until He comes again.  This calls for living with a war time mentality–a life of focus, sacrifice, courage.  May we live as good soldiers of Christ Jesus.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Jeremiah 42:1-44:23; 2 Timothy 2:1-21;
Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 26:3-5.

Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
Teach us to make the most of our time,
so that we may grow in wisdom.

One of the ways we can worship God is by the way we utilize the time we are given.  Is the usage of our time self-centered or God-centered?  Is it spent on temporal things or invested in eternity?

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2.