Entries by tag: hope
Scripture reading for October 21st: Job 9,10; Acts 13, 14
Read it online here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%209,10;%20Acts%2013,14
S:
Job 9:12 (NIV) If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'
Acts 13:52 (NIV) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
O:
Job laments the pain & suffering God is allowing in his life. Yet, he knows he is helpless against it. God has total power, freedom, and justice, since He is the Creator. This verse refers to God's prerogative to take life or property from us.
The verse in Acts relates in my mind today because what preceded this statement was that Paul and the disciples with him were persecuted and run out of the region where they had been sharing the Good News. Yet they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
A:
My heart is heavy for my friends who have lost loved ones this week. One has lost a grandfather who helped father him; another has lost her sister. Such events could lead a person to despair. Death of a loved one could cause one to be angry with God, to try to judge Him. Job wisely reminds us that it is impossible for us to build a case against God. What's more, the verse in Acts redirects us in the midst of tragedy & suffering. Because of Jesus Christ, we have hope, we have joy, we have the living Spirit of God to comfort us and lead us and give us the peace of God - even when we hurt; maybe, especially when we hurt.
P:
Lord, I ask you today to fill Nick and Shelly with Your Spirit so that they can experience the joy and peace and comfort that comes from You alone, even as their hearts ache. Use the tragedy and suffering that we all experience in this broken world to draw us closer to you and to experience Your great love for us all the more. Amen.
Read it online here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%209,10;%20Acts%2013,14
S:
Job 9:12 (NIV) If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'
Acts 13:52 (NIV) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
O:
Job laments the pain & suffering God is allowing in his life. Yet, he knows he is helpless against it. God has total power, freedom, and justice, since He is the Creator. This verse refers to God's prerogative to take life or property from us.
The verse in Acts relates in my mind today because what preceded this statement was that Paul and the disciples with him were persecuted and run out of the region where they had been sharing the Good News. Yet they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
A:
My heart is heavy for my friends who have lost loved ones this week. One has lost a grandfather who helped father him; another has lost her sister. Such events could lead a person to despair. Death of a loved one could cause one to be angry with God, to try to judge Him. Job wisely reminds us that it is impossible for us to build a case against God. What's more, the verse in Acts redirects us in the midst of tragedy & suffering. Because of Jesus Christ, we have hope, we have joy, we have the living Spirit of God to comfort us and lead us and give us the peace of God - even when we hurt; maybe, especially when we hurt.
P:
Lord, I ask you today to fill Nick and Shelly with Your Spirit so that they can experience the joy and peace and comfort that comes from You alone, even as their hearts ache. Use the tragedy and suffering that we all experience in this broken world to draw us closer to you and to experience Your great love for us all the more. Amen.
For Today's Bible reading, click the link.
S: Scripture: Choose one thing that stood out.
O: Observation: What does it say (context, audience, meaning, etc.)?
A: Application: What principles apply to me? How should my life be different moving forward?
P: Prayer: Speak to God about what He showed you.
Scripture reading for September 10th: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15
Read it online here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations%203,4,5;%20Revelation%2015
S:
- Lamentations 5:22 (NIV) "unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure"
- (from yesterday's reading) Revelation 14:6-7 (NIV) "6Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.'"
O:
The author wonders aloud if God has given up on him, if God's anger is so great, God refuses to save him. In contrast, the Revelation passage shows an angel declaring the gospel message the moment before the final judgment. It's as if God makes still one more appeal for people to turn to him and be saved.
A:
It's easy to feel like God has turned his back on you when you are experiencing hardship. It's even easier to think that way if your hardship is just punishment for your sinful or foolish choices and actions, but don't fall for it. God is determined to give us every opportunity to be redeemed right up until the the very end. Even if we experience the negative consequences of our choices and the suffering that comes with living in this world, God's desire is for that suffering to draw us closer to him, to cause us to turn from our selfish ways, to earnestly seek his help, and to increase our faith in him - even when it seems hopeless.
P:
Lord, thank you for always pursuing people. Thank you that your desire is that no one would perish but that we all would be saved. May Your Spirit open the eyes and ears of people to hear your call and surrender their will to You. May your people lives lives worthy of that calling and by our lives, draw others towards Jesus. Amen.
For Today's Bible reading, click the link.
S: Scripture: Choose one thing that stood out.
O: Observation: What does it say (context, audience, meaning, etc.)?
A: Application: What principles apply to me? How should my life be different moving forward?
P: Prayer: Speak to God about what He showed you.
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