With My Own Eyes

We were driving down Ojai Avenue today when we noticed a car with Michigan license plates.  Then on the bumper we noticed it had a “Godfrey” sticker from a car dealer in Cadillac.  Small world.  

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Chronicles 19:1-21:27; Romans 2:25-3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12.

Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

We can be so quick to react (and overreact) to others.  The spiritually mature are able to patiently rise above and not get sucked into the drama.

Psalm 11:5 (NIV)
The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.

God is love.  He is also just.  We tend to emphasize the former to the neglect of the latter.

1 Chron. 21:24 (NIV)
But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”

True worship is costly.

Here is today’s Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 19:6-7.

Romans 1:28 (NIV)
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

I wonder if God has “given us over” as a nation to our depraved thinking. Ultimately, we will reap what we sow.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Sadly, the church in our culture is becoming increasingly ashamed of the gospel.  An important element of the good news is the bad news of judgment and hell.  But because we perceive that people do not want to hear the bad news, we don’t talk about it.  Such a gospel is not about salvation – it is merely self-improvement.  But Jesus did not die to simply improve our lives, He came to save us.

Further, the church in our culture does not believe that the power of the gospel is sufficient to save.  Instead, we put our trust in gimmicks and entertainment to attract people. Then we wonder why we fail to see lives radically changed. The power to change lives is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here is today’s Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24.

Psalm 8:3-5 (NIV)
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
[4] what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
[5] You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8 reminds us of just how small we are in the context of the universe. It is a call to a humble estimation of our significance. We are not nearly as important as we think we are. Yet, God desires to know us personally and intimately.  In Him, our lives attain ultimate significance.  As we are humbled by this Psalm, may it cause us to lives that overflow with gratitude.

Here is today’s Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40; Acts 27:1-20; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 18:22.

Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)
He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.

God has blessed me far beyond what I deserve in the wife He provided for me.

Acts 27:20 (NIV)
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Have you ever felt like that? The good news is that with God there are no hopeless situations.

Cleo believes everyone should be watching her in the parade.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Are your words inspiring life in those around you?

Acts 26:28-29 (NIV)
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
[29] Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Even on trial when his life is at stake, Paul’s concern is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the salvation of even his enemies.

Here is today’s The Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19.

Psalm 5:12 (NIV)
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

I love this image of the favor of God surrounding us like a shield. If God is for us, who or what can possibly be against us?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18.

Proverbs 18:17 (NIV)
The first to present his case seems right,
till another comes forward and questions him.

So true. We can be so quick to form opinions and jump to conclusions without hearing the whole story. There are always two sides.

Acts 24:24-27 (NIV)
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. [25] As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” [26] At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
[27] When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

What ever became of Felix?  Did he believe? Or did he miss out on the salvation that was staring him right in the face?