With My Own Eyes

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24.

Acts 4:13 (NIV) 
    When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Ordinary men become extraordinary when they spend time with Jesus.

Acts 4:20 (NIV) 
    For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Evangelism is not a program or a strategy.  It is the natural overflow of a life with Jesus.

“In today’s sophisticated and selfish society we are much more likely to criticize than praise, quicker to complain than to thank, and more ready to vent disappointment before expressing gratitude (Celia Bowering, xii).”

“Would you know him who is the greatest saint in the world?  It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it (William Law, xii).”

Here is today’s Bible reading:  2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23.

Why was God so displeased when David counted his troops?  I believe it was because David had begun to trust in his own might rather than God’s.  Pride had crept in.  This is ironic because David himself had written:  Psalm 20:7 (NIV)  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. This story shows us that we must be ever vigilant about exercising a humble dependence upon God.  Zech. 4:6 (NIV)  So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

After missing some days of reading, I’m ready to get back on this horse.  Let’s do this!

Here is today’s Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22:21-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20.

Acts 2:38-40 (NIV) 
    Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
    [40] With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

This is not a very seeker-sensitive presentation of the Gospel.  Could it have possibly been effective?

Acts 2:41 (NIV) 
    Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

I guess so!

2 Samuel 23:8 (NIV) 
    These are the names of David’s mighty men:

I love this passage.  I want to be known as a mighty man of God.
 

Bible Journey will be silent the next week while we travel to Michigan.  I intend to keep up with the reading and return to posting when we get back.  I will probably post some updates on our trip via Twitter. 

Thanks to Tom for taking care of the house and the dog.

“Wake Up!” Romans 13:11-14

Here is today’s Bible reading:  2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16;
Proverbs 15:29-30.

John 13:15-17 (NIV)
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Are you looking to serve or be served today?

Here is today’s Bible reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:1; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28.

Proverbs 15:28 (NLT)  
    The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.

Must engage brain before mouth.

John 12:25 (NIV)  
    The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

We expend way too many resources in an attempt to cling to this life and its comfort. To what are you clinging today?

Here is today’s Bible reading: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:54-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26.

John 12:3 (NIV) 
    Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary’s worship was extravagant, expensive, and humiliating.  Nothing was too costly for her Savior.  She was willing to give anything in the service of her King.  What adjectives characterize your worship?