December 26 - 1 John: Want to Commune with God? Love Each Other

Today’s Reading: 1 John

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

John is not afraid of the "s-word", but he also does not want people to confuse it with the "l-word".

Summary in 100 Words or Less

We saw the Word of Life. If we walk in God's pure Light our sins—brought into the light—are taken away. You are in God when you obey. Warning, the world separates you from God.
Antichrists deny Jesus is Divine.
God's True Children, like Jesus, sacrifice themselves for each other. Practice real, non-condemning love.
Believe only teachers who openly confess faith in Jesus.
God's Spirit is greater than the world's.
Reflect God's Love. Walking God's Way proves we are His.
Everything points to Jesus as God—stop doubting. Boldly and freely interact with God. Guard against all imitation gospels.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

We seek to experience communion with God.

John's first letter centers around being in and with God. We tend to see his letter as a strange, esoteric foray into spirituality. Though when you read it as a whole you realize that is is more theoretical than esoteric. There are practical ways to do what John encourages these people to do. John doesn't mention them because he expects them to flesh them out. All of them center around one point—communing with God. We want to be in God's presence. We want God to acknowledge our presence. The way is not found in losing everything, emptying our minds, and giving up all urges.

Communion with God is found by loving your neighbor as yourself.

Okay, I'm mixing Jesus' Words with John's. The point is still the same—communion with God is found when we love others, not when we hate ourselves. The tests all involve love. The world separates us from God because it teaches selfish love. God is pure Light—Love. There is no darkness—hatred—with God. We cannot hate others and say we are in the light. When we love our neighbor as our self we commune with God.

God wants to remove barriers to communing with Him but we must be willing to put them up for his removal.

The reason stubborn unwillingness to acknowledge sin prevents communion with God is that we are not willing to let the barriers go. If we let them go, God will remove them. The Light will shine on us again and we will be purged of our mistakes. God wants to set your relationship with Him right. Give up the barriers by bringing them to the light.

The Antichrist is anti-Christ.

We love to make complicated, Hollywood-style dramas out of the Bible. The Antichrist or antichrists has been blown so out of proportion that most influential people are eventually called the Antichrist by their enemies. The Antichrist and antichrists are easy to spot. There is one, simple test: Do they publically confess that Jesus is God? If they do, they aren't. If they won't, they are. The important thing—and the part most people ignore—is that anyone can be antichrist. All you need to be is anti-Christ.

The person who acts right is right.

Christians have an epidemic of doubt. This doubt is not doubting whether God exists, Jesus is God, or if God will actually set all things right—though many do doubt these things. The epidemic of doubt is if we are righteous or not. It comes from the fear that since we cannot earn back our relationship with God, we can never know if that relationship is right or not. John sets that doubt and fear aside by writing that those who act righteous are righteous. Their righteousness still comes from God and we have not "earned" it. But we are righteous nonetheless! If you want to know you are righteous, do righteous things. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Then you will know you are righteous. The opposite is true, as well. You can never be righteous when you do not love your neighbor as yourself.

God's Spirit is greater than any other spirit.

The concept of God being greater, stronger, and longer-lasting than anything people want to defeat Him will be the central driving force behind John's Revelation. There is nothing that can prevent you from being in communion with God. Nothing can separate us from God's Love. God's Spirit is too strong.

Those who commune with God have great prayer-power.

God will act when people who commune with Him—by loving their neighbor as their self—ask Him to act. This isn't magical, it's based on the fact that as we submit to God we pray for His Will. As we pray for His Will to be done our prayers are answered. Those who pray against God's Will are the ones who think God will somehow be magically forced to grant their wishes because they are God's Chosen People.

Has the Message sunk deep into your life?

September 6 - Ezekiel 32-34: God vs. Egypt, Silent Watchmen, and Israel's Shepherds

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 32-34

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Ezekiel cannot sit and watch God's warnings come true. He must act or be held accountable for Israel's punishment.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

"Babylon will lead a nation of brutes to destroy Egypt. Egypt will be buried without honors."
"Ezekiel, a silent watchman pays for spilled blood. Tell Israel each person will be judged on how they live.
"Israel thinks they deserve land because they come from Abraham. How absurd. They must realize I make that decision.
"Ezekiel, prophesy doom to the shepherds of Israel who scatter My Sheep. They're fired! I will shepherd My Sheep and separate the sheep from the goats. The strong sheep will no longer wreak havoc on the weaker sheep. Then they will know I am God."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Nations who think more highly of themselves than they ought crash.

Today's first chapter finishes the part brought up in yesterday's reading. God does not rejoice over Egypt's downfall. He laments. The reason Egypt, Assyria, Edom, and Meshech-tubal were destroyed was because their pride took control and made them believe they were greater than they really were. They experienced success that went to their head. Beware success—it may lead to the fatal idea that you are self-sufficient.
Unfortunately, Israel was not immune to this pride. They believed their ethnic identity guaranteed possession of Canaan. What they did not understand is God's Blessings come to those who set things right, not those who live under the Promise of Abraham. Silly Israel. It's a good thing we do not think like this.
Okay, so we do. How many people do we know who go through the motions (or fail to worship God at all) simply because they have been baptized and feel entitled to God's blessings? We are not guaranteed God's Blessings because we are one of God's Chosen People. We are guaranteed God's Blessings when we submit ourselves to His Way and set things right!

Watchmen who do not speak are held accountable.

This is the second time God used the image of a watchman to remind Ezekiel of his job. God tells His Chosen Messenger to warn Israel and Judah of their coming punishment. If they would not listen to him, their blood would be on their heads. If he did not tell them, their blood would be on his head. If you have a person within your sphere of influence whom you do not warn that their actions would bring punishment you will be held responsible. Remember, this is not about convincing them to change; it is about warning them of punishment to come.

God does not enjoy punishing the wicked.

Although I mentioned this earlier, I believe this point is important enough to repeat. God wants everyone to set things right. Because God wants to set all things right, He will respond in-kind. A good person who sins will be punished. A bad person who sets things right will be rewarded. If we cannot get our heads around that, we will miss God's entire Message throughout Scripture.

God would punish Israel's shepherds.

God's anger against Israel's shepherds comes as a result of their unwillingness to promote righteousness and their willingness to oppress others. They were unwilling to do what God called them to do and therefore God would punish them. Leaders are responsible for setting the proper example of setting things right.

God would become Israel's Shepherd.

God would go after them. God would rescue them. God would bring them home. God would feed them. God would protect them from predators. God would not allow the strong to bully the weak. If God wants to set all things right and leaders set the example most people follow, God will be the leader to set an example of setting all things right. God wants to be our Shepherd and set things right in our flock.

Do you want God to be your shepherd?

August 30 - Ezekiel 13-15: God vs. Israel's Prophets

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 13-15

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Judah would need to clear out their hearts and their houses to receive forgiveness.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God told me Israel's prophets would be punished, "I'm dead set against them. These women prophets are especially bad. They kill souls to become rich and famous. They will know I am God.
"Israel's leaders have idols in their hearts. When they remove them I will listen to their prayers. Otherwise both idolaters and prophets will be punished.
"Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were here they could not save this nation. Jerusalem will get four types of punishment—war, famine, wild animals, and disease. Then they will ask for salvation and you will understand why I allowed their punishment."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God will punish those who speak in His Name without consulting Him.

Israel loves prophets who speak only good things; therefore, these prophets knew their income depended on how positive they were. Consulting God would only lessen their income and ultimately cost their careers. Jeremiah did this and almost lost his life. God protected him, though, and would protect any prophet willing to consult Him, too. These prophets who told Judah to continue doing whatever they wanted, as long as they kept the contributions coming would be punished, thrown off their land, and shamed in public. Their advice would lead to death. God will not stand for people speaking for Him without first speaking with Him.

Israel has a heart problem.

God realizes the issue is not the physical idols set up in the city, the squares, and the Temple. The problem is that they have installed idols in their hearts. God will not listen to their prayers because they refuse to listen to His Command—be wholly God's. Our relationship with God is never severed because of a physical act. Our relationship with God is always severed by something becoming more important in our heart than God. The physical act comes as a result of the idol set up in our heart.

God wants everyone in the land to give up their gods.

God, though Ezekiel, while telling the leaders to take down the idols in their hearts He includes this:

To every last person from the house of Israel, including any of the resident aliens who live in Israel—all who turn their backs on me and embrace idols, who install the wickedness that will ruin them at the center of their lives and then have the gall to go to the prophet to ask me questions—I, God, will step in and give the answer myself. (14:7, The Message)

God's punishment would extend out to those who were not part of the Promise of Abraham. They were part of the punishment because God expects holiness from anyone who lives with His Chosen People. No one is excused.
What does this mean for today? If churches who have issues with holiness want to regain God's favor, they cannot allow people who are "living" with them to slide by. Everyone must be on the same page—even if they are not "members". What does "living" mean? It means anyone who wishes to be associated with them, even if they do not want to be affiliated with them.

No one could save Judah and Jerusalem—even Noah, Daniel, or Job.

What an interesting grouping. When you think of Old Testament stories of a person standing up to defend another I would think of Abraham or Moses, not Noah, Daniel, or Job. But these are the three God places together. What are they known for? I think they are known for steady, non-compromising faith. Because of their faith they prevented God from destroying their family, their people, or themselves. That is what makes this section so depressing—God's exclaims to Ezekiel that no single, steady, non-compromising faith could help Israel. They had gone so far away from God that they would be unwilling to learn from the example of a strong, faithful person. Beware idols which infiltrate the heart because they will eventually lead you past the point of no return.

God punishes with hopes of saving His Chosen People.

All along I have mentioned that God's Reputation is salvation and He punishes Israel to clean out bad influences from the land. In Ezekiel's vision God tells him,

When they come out to you and their salvation is right in your face, you’ll see for yourself the life they’ve been saved from. You’ll know that this severe judgment I brought on Jerusalem was worth it, that it had to be. (14:22, The Message)

God's punishment is meant to help us see how we can live better with God setting all things right.

Do you have idols installed on your heart?

July 29 - Isaiah 49-53: God's Reconciling Servant

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 49-53

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God woos Isaiah by sending a Servant to take their punishment.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Listen, God called Israel to globalize salvation.
God comforts His exiles, "You are my children and I will never abandon you. Did I divorce you? No way!"
"You who want to set things right, consider Abraham, your ancestor. My Promises never fail."
God, save us!
"Why are you afraid of mortals?"
Wake up from your hangover, Jerusalem!
"I will restore My Chosen People to restore My Reputation."
How beautiful are those who bring good news!
Look at God's Servant. He isn't much to look at, but He carries our punishment in silence. He will be the final sacrifice for sin.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God will return Israel when the time is right.

God has not "divorced" or "sold" Israel. They were taken away into captivity because they would not be God's lighthouses. Therefore, God would bring them back with hopes that they would return to their stated purpose and make God's salvation global. God will not punish His Chosen People forever. Why would they be returned? Because of the Promise.
What does this mean for Christians today? No matter how bad it may seem, we will be returned if we repent and set things right with God. We may not be the center of the culture or returned in the exact way we were before, but God will bring us back when we are ready to make God's salvation global.

We should not fear mere mortals.

What can mortals do to God? Absolutely nothing! So why fear them? The only thing fear can do is separate us from God. Do not fear people. Respect God and He will set things right.

Israel would be restored to defend God's Reputation.

God's reasoning for restoring Israel was not because they had earned His love and respect again. It wasn't because they repented and turned back to Him. The reason God brought Israel back into Canaan is because the nations began questioning His Power. God's Reputation is not punishment. God's Reputation is Salvation. This reasoning is similar to Moses during one of Israel's many rebellions against the God who took them out of Egypt. Do not think our salvation comes because of our righteousness. It comes because of God's.

God would bring Salvation through the least-likeliest person—a servant who did not command attention.

Who would believe such a far-fetched idea of a servant coming and bearing the sins of His People? You would expect a god to come down in great fanfare, create a large feast where he or she pronounced all sin removed. Not our god. He was considered disfigured, undesirable, and mocked. But God took that scourge and made Him the most important person to setting things right. His Reward came because He had complete faith in God and died on behalf of those who did not like Him. Jesus came to take away our punishment and guilt!

Are your feet beautiful?

April 18 - Psalms 17, 35, 54, and 63: David's Vulnerability before a Caring God - the Essence of Salvation

Today’s Reading: Psalms 17, 35, 54, and 63

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

These psalms show the vulnerable side of David.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 17

David is calling for God's Ear while he defends himself. He wishes for God to test his words to make sure God's way is being done. He states his case against his enemies and wants to see them punished. David will look to God in any result.

Psalm 35

David cries out to God to punish the hecklers, the bullies, the thugs. He wishes to be free from them because they come up from nowhere and bring him down. They party while he is persecuted. David asks that the people who want his best interests have the final say so they together will shout praises to God.

Psalm 54

In this short psalm, David calls on God to help him but realizes God is already there.

Psalm 63

God has been wonderful to David and he cannot get enough of Him! God has protected him and punished his enemies. How great is God!

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

David wants God to examine him first before examining his enemies.

David's call makes himself vulnerable:

Go ahead, examine me from inside out,
   surprise me in the middle of the night—
You’ll find I’m just what I say I am.
   My words don’t run loose.

I’m not trying to get my way
   in the world’s way.
I’m trying to get your way,
   your Word’s way.
I’m staying on your trail;
   I’m putting one foot
In front of the other.
   I’m not giving up. (17:3-5, The Message)

He wants to make sure before his complaints are listened to that he is not calling for their destruction for personal reasons. David wants to make things right because making things right is God's Will. God's Chosen People should first call for their own selves to be examined before examining others.

David does not make his wishes the litmus test for God.

Nowhere does David tell God, "If you don't do these things I will abandon you!" He always couches his cries for justice with expectations of vindication. His praise begins before God saves him. There are no threats or ultimatums. God's Chosen People should praise God for saving them before their salvation comes.
Some scholars can't believe David would be this hopeful and suggest these are written half before and half after the trouble. I disagree because David seems to weave the praise and complaints together in one, large, hopeful psalm.

David wishes for God to stop his persecutors so he will have a chance to continue God's work.

David wants the hecklers, the bullies, and the thugs punished so he will have a chance to celebrate God's great work. He wants to tell everyone how God "puts the down-and-out on their feet / and protects the unprotected" (35:10, The Message). Don't ask God for escape to continue your selfish endeavors. Ask God to release you to sing His praises!

God is already helping David.

In a nice, surprising twist David cries out to God for help as though he were alone; then realizes God is right there helping him all along. Look up! God is helping you already!

David can't get enough of God!

Psalm 63 is so exciting because David comes to see that He cannot live without God—not because he will lack goodness but because he would miss God's Goodness! When we obey God we will become so dependent on His Goodness that to be away from it would be like being away from food and water.

Have you gotten your fill of God's Goodness?

April 13 - 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalms 11 and 59: Saul and David's Relationship Heads South

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 11 and 59

The Message 

English Standard Version 

We have reached the section where reading the Bible in chronological order comes in handy. Since many of the psalms are attributed to David they will be intermingled with the narrative when they fit the circumstances. We will have days of narrative, days of narrative and psalms, and days of psalms only. Today is a mixture. Having the Psalms interspersed throughout the history helps to put them into context and heighten the understanding we can have of God setting things right.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

David impresses everyone—much to Saul's consternation.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jonathan and David were soul mates. David excelled at everything. The women sang his praises more than Saul's. Furious, Saul tried to kill David twice. Hoping David would die, Saul gave David his daughter Michal if he killed one hundred Philistines. David and his men killed two hundred. Michal loved David and helped him escape during one of Saul's fits. God embarrassed a naked, babbling Saul when he chased David to Naioth.
When Saul told his servants to kill David, Jonathan tried to intercede for his friend. Saul almost killed his own son. Jonathan and David cried when they parted.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 11

This short psalm by David sets the record straight—God is not moved, so why should I run?

Psalm 59

David writes in response to Saul's command to kill him. He cries out to God to rescue him and defeat his enemies. He requests a slow punishment on the wicked to prevent any confusion as to the source of their comeuppance. While they do their evil works at night he sings by night and day the wonderful nature of God.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God's Spirit causes David to gain allies on all sides—which infuriates Saul.

David has now earned the love and respect of Saul's children, his army, his servants, and the general public. The women now sing David's praises more than Saul's. When we allow God's Spirit to move us, the whole world works for us.
However, one person does not like David's new popularity—Saul. Saul sees in David what he once was and wanted to become. Because he rejected God and took control over God he no longer had the love and respect of his people. Instead of repenting and joining David in serving God Saul tries to kill him in fits of rage and hatred. When we allow God's Spirit to depart from us, nothing can replace our joy.

Jonathan becomes a peacemaker.

Jonathan wants to set things right between his father and David. He campaigns for David twice, succeeding to suede his father once. He even allows David to hide while Saul has a death sentence against him. In the end, Jonathan's friendship comes between him and his father, with Saul throwing a spear at him in public. God can set things right when people make peace between enemies.

God's business is setting things right and we can be as straight as God if we join Him.

David's psalm is absolutely brilliant:

God’s business is putting things right;

   he loves getting the lines straight,
Setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall,
   we can look him straight in the eye. (Psalm 11:7, The Message)

David calls on God to set things right by punishing the wicked slowly.

David's psalm against Saul's men seeking to kill him shows God's purpose of punishment. The call is not for God to slowly wipe them out so they would die horrible, painful deaths. The purpose for their punishment is to bring justice upon them and contrasts the difference in God's treatment of the wicked and righteous. God's Chosen People can call for the punishment of others—when we want God's justice to reign on Earth and others to learn from their mistakes.

What prevents you from standing upright to see God eye-to-eye?