Weekly Bible Readings – August 23 – 29

Worldy influence & opinions

I know I shouldn’t, but I often find myself seeking the opinion and approval of others.  It’s really hard not to, though.  But as a Christian, my main focus should be on living my life according to God’s will, no matter what people, however well-meaning, may have to say.

I am in the midst of a situation that a lot of people, including some Christians, would have washed their hands of a long time ago.  Me, I’m still hanging in there, trying to do the right thing, what I believe God would have me to do.  It’s so hard, though, especially when people constantly ask me why I continue to put up with what I put up with, and then they proceed to tell me how they would handle the situation and encouraging me to do the same.

I admit there are many days I feel like an idiot for putting up with all the heartache and pain that I go through.  But I do it all for a greater purpose, and that is to please God.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

I also live this way because on that last and final day, I want to be able to hear my Father say, “well done good and faithful servant”.  Heaven is my goal.  If I have to be ridiculed along the way, and put up with heartache and strife then so be it.  I don’t know the mind of God, nor will I (or any of us) ever, but I know what I read in His word, and I try to live exactly as has been instructed.  If I’m wrong, I know that God will show me the error of my ways.  But for now, I will continue to live by the word of God.  I will seek His guidance by prayer and supplication and study of His word.

I want to leave you with one last verse to reflect on during times of doubt:

“God knows the plans He has for us; plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Weekly Bible Readings – August 19 – 22

Thought for today

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the day.

Spiritual Persistence by Lamont Scott

Spiritual Persistence

8/10/2009

“Then Elijah said to Ahab, “”Go up, eat and drink;

for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”"”

I KINGS 18:41

“Success can distract you as you seek to follow God’s will. Elijah’s primary assignment was to announce when a drought would begin and end (1 Kings 17:1). God had told him to proclaim to king Ahab that the drought was an act of judgment upon a people who worshiped idols rather than God. In the middle of Elijah’s assignment, a spectacular thing happened. Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and called fire down from heaven, putting hundreds of priests of Baal to death. This was one of the most awesome displays of God’s power recorded in Scripture. Elijah could easily have focused strictly on that event. Fire falling from heaven is much more spectacular than a rainstorm!

When something spectacular happens, we can easily be sidetracked. If Elijah lived today, he might have begun a “”Calling Down Fire From Heaven”" ministry! The dramatic is far more appealing to us than obedience to the mundane. Destroying hundreds of Baal’s prophets would appear to be a climactic victory for any prophet of God. Yet Elijah persisted in his assignment. He announced the coming rain. This had been his primary message, and he delivered it.

If you aren’t careful, you may become so distracted by the successes you experience that you never complete what God originally assigned you to do. Will your success today cause you to disobey tomorrow?”

Remember, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Lamont Scott, a preacher and teacher of the word of God, is currently working with the youth at Farriss Drive Church of Christ in Huntsville, AL.

Prayer for today

Heavenly Father,

I feel the darkness encompassing me.  The burden is so heavy to bear.  I thank You that You have promised to take this weight from me.  I will surrender it to You, leaving it in Your loving hands. ~ Amen

(courtesy of Light for My Path for Women)

Weekly Bible Readings – August 9 – 15

A purposeful life

God’s purpose is greater than you are, and, if you are God’s child, nothing is going to slow down God’s purpose for your life. ~ Max Lucado

“I will strengthen them in the Lord and in His name they will walk,” declares the Lord. (Zecheriah 10:12)

Prayer for today

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing me, O Lord.  It is then I especially need Your guidance. ~ Amen

Weekly Bible Readings – August 2 – 8

02 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13

Romans 15:23-16:9

Psalm 25:16-22

Proverbs 20:16-18

03 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33

Romans 16:10-27

Psalm 26:1-12

Proverbs 20:19

04 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23

1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Psalm 27:1-6

Proverbs 20:20-21

05 Ezra 1:1-2:70

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

Psalm 27:7-14

Proverbs 20:22-23

06 Ezra 3:1-4:23

1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4

Psalm 28:1-9

Proverbs 20:24-25

07 Ezra 4:24-6:22

1 Corinthians 3:5-23

Psalm 29:1-11

Proverbs 20:26-27

08 Ezra 7:1-8:20

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Psalm 30:1-12

Proverbs 20:28-30