Perspective. Ephesians 6:10-18

Sometimes a small change in perspective goes a long way. This passage teaches us about perspective when it comes to how we view our enemy. It teaches that there is an evil world that is real and that is where our battle is.

There have been a number of times in my life where there's turmoil in a relationship and it's not until I'm well into getting steamed about it that I realize I'm under attack. Remember who your enemy is and stand firm in the Lord so that we won't be defeated. Press on!

Ephesians 6:10-18
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Questions
1. How does understanding that our battle is against evil change how you handle disagreement in relationships?
2. What can you do to prepare for battle every day?
3. What did you learn from this passage?

Plans. Psalm 138

Every now and then we need a reminder that it's the Lord who will ensure that his plan for our lives is accomplished. When life gets hard and starts pressing in around you, trust the Lord. When things aren't going like you think they should, trust the Lord. When everything is right with the world, trust the Lord. Whatever circumstances may come your way, you guessed it...trust the Lord.

Psalm 138
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.

3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.

5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.

6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Questions
1. What do you think God's purpose is for your life?
2. What did you learn about God from this passage?
3. What did you learn about yourself?

We Wait. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Oh how I've missed the blog. The Memorial Day weekend has seperated us now for four days, but no more. The daily study has returned.

Returning happens to be a pretty major theme in our lives. As followers of Christ we wait in eager anticipation for our savior to come and fully redeem us from this fallen world. We see in part now, and know in part now, but there will be a day when we know completely. I long for that day.

As I write this post, I'm reminded of a song that echoes this desire for our home and for the kingdom of God to come. It's by Charlie Hall and called "Rising Shout", look it up if you have a chance.

1 Corithians 13:8-12
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Questions
1. What do you look forward to the most about heaven?
2. What will you most enjoy not experiencing any more about this world?
3. What will stick with you from this passage?

Peace Part 3. Ephesians 4:1-5

Peace has been on my brain lately, as you can tell from the last two postings. So we continue with "Peace Part 3". Peace is such a vital part of Christianity because it means there is not disturbance within the church. Where there is not peace there is not unity.

I hope this passage will be an encouragement to all of us to make every effort to be at peace with all people. Sometimes that means giving up our "rights". Sometimes that means yielding to someone with whom you may disagree. Sometimes it just means being a better person to the people around you. Grace and peace be yours from God our father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-5
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Questions
1. What's one way you can better maintain unity in your church?
2. What did you learn from this passage?
3. What was the most challenging part of it?

Peace Part 2. John 14:23-27

The one who follows Jesus will receive the Spirit of God as a teacher, comforter and empowerer for this life. The disciples have just found out the Jesus is going to leave them. He was their hope, their life. They had given up everything to follow him and then he says he's going to leave. Jesus, aware of how this affected his followers, explains to them that it's going to be ok. They'll be taken care of.

This promise remains for us today. Though your world may crash in around you, you will be at peace because the Spirit of God rests in you. Don't worry and don't be afraid, for it is God who goes before you. It is he who holds and protects you.

John 14:23-27
23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Questions
1. How do you define "peace".
2. What do you think are the top two things people are looking for in the world?
3. What will you take with you from this passage today?

Peace. Romans 15:7-13

God has called us to live in unity as we talked about yesterday. That's easy to say, but what about when you have two groups that just do not get along. This was the case with the Jews and Gentiles in the first century. It wasn't that they didn't get along as much as the Jews saw the Gentiles as second-class, unclean people. Then all of a sudden they're in the same church. Both groups followed Christ, but they didn't always see eye to eye.

This passages helps to explain how they were supposed to live at peace with one another. It also points us toward that same peace. May we live at peace with one another by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:7-13
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name." 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples." 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


Questions
1. What did you learn from this passage?
2. Which part will you take with you today?

Unity. 1 Corinthians 1:4-10

Have you ever been in a group of people and had to come to an agreement on one issue. It's near impossible in some groups. People have different passions and different ideas and agreement is not always the first thing on their minds. This call to agree, that Paul gives in the tenth verse, is not an easy task. I think that's why the prior verses remind the reader that the power of Christ lives in them. They don't lack any spiritual gift. So now the call to unity and agreement is one that can be accomplished, because it is the Spirit of God that lives in them and gives them to accomplish the impossible.

1 Corinthians 1:4-10
4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Questions
1. Do you ever find it difficult to agree with people in the church?
2. What, in this passage, is helpful in overcoming this difficulty?
3. Why do you think agreeing with each other is so important?

Unsearchable God! Romans 11-33-36

This is a great passage from Romans. It's a doxology that Paul interjects in the middle of a passage about election and justification. It's almost as if he can't contain himself any longer and just has to break into this hymn to give praise to his God. He's writing about some things that are very difficult to understand and has to acknowledge how great God is and how far above us he is. We can look into the way he works on this earth with his people, but when it comes down to it this passage contains perhaps the most appropriate response.

Romans 11:33-36
33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God from this passage?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What will you take with you from this passage?

The Rest of the Story. John 4:5-26

Here's the rest of the story from yesterday. I thought it would be good to have that as a context for the post from yesterday. Enjoy.

John 4:5-26
5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

17"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

God Can Use You Too. John 4:39-42

This is a short passage, but packs a huge punch in the first verse. A little background first...Jesus has just had a conversation with a Samaratin woman who had been married five times and was currently living with a man who wasn't her husband. Jesus told the woman this and she was surely a little shaken by his knowledge of this humiliating information. She tried to distract him with some questions about where the proper place to worship is, but Jesus wasn't ever distracted from his purpose. His purpose was to reveal to her that he was the Messiah, and her hope for life.

It's clear from the following passage that the lady believed in Jesus as the Messiah and take a look at what happens to her town. It was because of her testimony ("hey I just met the Messiah, he knew about all the men I've been sleeping around with") that they believed in him. God used this woman that many may have considered unusable, to reach a whole town with the truth of the Gospel. What an encouraging story for those of us who may feel unusable at times.

John 5:39-42
39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41And because of his words many more became believers.

42They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Questions
1. What would you do if a stranger sat down and revealed all your embarassing failures to you?
2. If God had to use you through one of your weaknesses, how would he use you?
3. What did you learn from this passage?

Hell. Matthew 13:36-43

I talked to a kid today about heaven and hell. He said he knew Jesus and had been baptized, but wasn't real sure about the whole hell thing. Said it didn't seem fair to go to hell just for sinning a few times. I explained to him what I think the Bible says about hell and he acknowledged that it's a good source on the subject. Based upone that conversation I think this passage is appropriate.

Hell is a real place and is a real consequence of being separated from God. If this is true, then we need to be telling people about that. They need to know.

Matthew 13:36-43
36Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

37He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

40"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Questions
1. Do you think hell is a real place?
2. Why do you think someone goes to hell?
3. Do you know anyone who you think may be in danger of going there?

Good Wife. Proverbs 31:25-31

If you check this blog regularly you may be wondering why this post was entered so late. Well today I took the role of Mr. Mom and found I had little time to do anything besides watch our son. It gave me a completely knew appreciation for my wife who raises him on her own from at least 8-5 every day. This post is dedicated to her. She's a great mom and a wonderful wife.

Proverbs 31:25-31
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Approachable. Matthew 18:15-2

Do you ever read the New Testament, especially Acts, and wonder how the church was so dynamic and made such an impact on their world. It forces questions like, why aren't we more like that? Why aren't we making a difference in our communities like they were?

I think the answer to these questions have a lot to do with the passage below. When we're wronged typically we get a little upset and then either tell someone else about how terrible we were treated, and by a fellow christian at that. Or, we'll supress it and pretend like it doesn't bother us.

This passage suggests, or rather demands, that when we are wronged we take go directly to the person who wronged us with a forgiving heart. The purpose is to prohibit any disunity in the church. Jesus knew division would lead the church to ineffectiveness and so gives this command. Try it sometime.

Matthew 18:15-22
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Questions
1. How do you think someone would respond if you approached them like this passage tells us to?
2. How would you respond?
3. What's the most challenging part of this passage?

My God Loves Me. Psalm 86:5-13

I wanted to remind all of you that God loves you today. His love is unfailing and has been demonstrated to us by his grace and mercy. I can't think of anything more reassuring than this fact: the God of the universe loves me. Carry that truth around with you today.

Psalm 86:5-13
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

God or Man? Psalm 146

The earth is fleeting, as are those who live on it. I've learned this lesson in life: Trust men and you will be disappointed; trust the Lord and you will be pleased. I know that's not tremendously profound, but it's a lesson that's so difficult to put into practice. I'm not saying you need to doubt everyone's motives and be an untrusting, cynical person. However, when it comes to deciding whether you'll trust a person or you'll trust the God of the universe there are some facts to consider. People do not live forever and they are not able to overcome every obstacle. However, the Lord is eternal and there is nothing He can't overcome. Seems like an easy call to me.

Psalm 146
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.

Questions
1. Can you think of a situation where you trusted a person instead of God?
2. Why do you think it's so tempting to put our faith in people over God?
3. What will stick with you about this passage?

Forgiveness. Exodus 34:4-11

If you've never read the book of Exodus, let me encourage you to chisel out a little time to sit down and work through this great narrative. You'll see both the justice and mercy of God at work in His people. This passage gives an insight into the story and into God's character. He has every right to punish these people, but, in His mercy, He relents.

Sometimes we have a way of thinking everyone else is a little worse than we are. We may have a couple of things we need to work on, but we're not nearly as bad as that group at school, or at work. Often times we are a stiff-necked people, like the Jews. Perhaps today is a good day to recognize the grace we need, and humble ourselves before God. It is then that He'll do the awesome work in our lives.

Exodus 34:4-11
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9 "O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes," he said, "then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."

10 Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.

Questions
1. Based on what you know about the Jews during this time, would you say we are more "stiff-necked" (stubborn) or less?
2. How does it feel to be in a covenant relationship with God?
3. What part of this passage will stick with you?

Wisdom. Proverbs 13:1-14

Here's some wise sayings from a couple thousand years ago that are sure to help you in life even today. Have a great weekend.

Proverbs 13:1-14
1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

3 He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8 A man's riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man hears no threat.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.

Questions
1. Are there any of these that seem to be direct advice to you?
2. Which one do you think you understand best by the way you live your life?
3. Which one do you think you could gain the most from adhering to?

Effective. James 5:13-16

Did you know that prayer is effective? Did you know that God hears the prayers of His children and responds to them? It's tempting to think, and some people errantly teach, that prayer is just for the individual praying. Maybe you think that the benefit of prayer is that it teaches the prayer reliance on God and is a good form of meditation. It's a good stress release. Today's passage shows us that prayer is much more than that. The prayer of a righteous man can move God's hand to heal. The prayer of a righteous man is effective, it changes things. Let me encourage you today to pray. Pray for all things in all occasions because it makes a difference.

James 5:13-16
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Questions.
1. What do you typically pray for?
2. With the knowledge that your prayers can change things, what else do you think you might start praying for?
3. What was most impacting about this passage?

Hard Times. Jeremiah 29:4-14

Have you ever felt like God just hung you out to dry? You were walking through life, minding your own business, and all of a sudden you're thrust into some really difficult circumstances. I have good news for you. God has a plan for you. He even has a plan for that difficult situation you're in; more than that, He knows you're in it.

God's people found themselves in a situation like this. They had been taken captive by Babylon, and were questioning how this could be the case. Had God turned His back on them? Did He sell them out? What was going on? In the midst of this time, God spoke to His people this encouraging word. I know what you're going through, but fear not, I have big plans for you. God is saying the same thing to you.

Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." 8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.

10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Questions
1. Would it be hard for you to trust God if you had become a slave in a foreign land?
2. What's the hardest part of trusting God in difficult times?
3. What's you're favorite part of this passage?

Rainy Day. Psalm 111

Happy Tuesday to you all. It's a rainy day again today in Tulsa, OK. I hope that the weather doesn't get you down. If it does, then here's a passage that will lift your spirit. If, on the other hand, the weather has the opposite effect on you, this Psalm is equally appropriate. May our hearts be united as one even as we read this passage from all around the state. Our God is worthy of praise.

Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD.
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.

3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.

8 They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

Questions
1. How do you think you can tell if someone trusts the Lord?
2. What do you think fear of the Lord has to do with wisdom?
3. What did you like best about this passage?