Today’s Readings: Ex 5:22‐7:24, Matt 18:23‐19:12, Ps 23:1‐6, Prov 5:22‐23

Something that stood out to me: Matthew 18:35 “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

In this verse, Jesus doesn’t just say that we are to forgive, but that we are to forgive from our heart. Throughout scripture the heart represents the center of every person. Jesus is commanding that we do not hold bitterness in our hearts, but truly forgive those we come into contact with.

A wise man once said that we are most like Jesus when we forgive someone who does not deserve it. Another one of my favorite lines…”Bitterness is like taking a poison pill every morning hoping that someone else will die.”

Here is a cool story on extending forgiveness and a quick read that helps give a healthy perspective on how to ask for forgiveness. By the way, I like the All Pro Dad site. I am subscribed to their daily e-mail and it is usually good.

Ex 4:1-5:21, Matt 18:1-22, Ps 22:19-31, Prov 5:15-21

My S.O.A.P. journal after today’s readings:

S – Exodus 4: 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14a Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses…

O – Context of passage – does not feel qualified
Opposite of Isaiah 6 – “Here am I, send me.”
Anger of Lord was not kindled when he doubted himself, it was when he asked God to use someone else.

A – I need to be ready to let God use me at any time. It doesn’t matter if I do not feel qualified or that I have the gifts. I need to be willing to go for God at any point. We will be discussing commission camping today at camp. I want this to be my heart.

P – Lord, remove the unwilling parts of my heart. I confess that I often want you to send someone else to do things that I am not comfortable with. Create in me a heart that is eager to serve in any capacity.

Ex 2:11-3:22, Matt 17:10-27, Ps 22:1-18, Prov 5:7-14

Wow, there was a lot of meat in the readings today!

Proverbs 5:8 “Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,”

Two days ago I learned that an acquaintance and man I respected in ministry recently fell in sexual sin. Solomon teaches us to distance ourselves from sexual sin. He tells us to stay away and not go near.

How do we apply this? Here are a few ways I try to keep myself from being able to get near to sexual sin.
1. I don’t meet with a girl behind closed doors – never.
2. Rebecca has full access to all my internet stuff – I don’t delete history and I ask her to do random checks.
3. I have had Rebecca lock our direct TV box to not allow R and above films. I don’t know the passwords.

What about you? What do you do to keep yourself far from sexual sin?

On another note, I really want to hear thoughts from you. I know I just started on this, but the stats say there are people out there reading. Let me know what you are observing. Feel free to interact with my observations. This is a dialogue, not a monologue.

Gen 50:1‐26; Ex 1:1‐2:10, Matt 16:13‐17:9, Ps 21:1‐13, Prov 5:1‐6

This is what stood out to me in the readings today – probably influenced by the Roe v. Wade anniversary and all the talk about abortion this week.

Exodus 2:6a When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him… Matthew 17:3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

What could seem like a small event in the life of a baby, God used to shape eternity. I don’t know that I have ever considered the story of Moses as a baby when thinking about him being one of the two to join Jesus (he also had a death warrant when he was a baby) during his transfiguration.

It motivates me to take every opportunity to be a positive part of the future for each kid I come in contact with. Did this jump out to anyone else today?

Gen 48:1‐49:33, Matt 15:29‐16:12, Ps 20:1‐9, Prov 4:20‐27

Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Watch – We are to be on the lookout for people who are teaching anything other than the message of Christ (Gal 1).

Beware – Be aware, to be on guard. We need to know that this kind of teaching is in the world and will try to attack us and the ones that we love.

Leaven – Websters defines leaven as: “a : a substance (as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid; especially : sourdough b : a material (as baking powder) used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter.” This teaching will affect everything around it. It may seem small initially, but it changes everything it touches.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were teaching a legalistic interpretation of scripture. What are some practical ways for us to “watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?”

Gen 46:1‐47:31, Matt 15:1‐28, Ps 19:1‐14, Prov 4:14‐19

S – Psalm 19:7a
“The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.”

O – God’s word revives from the inside out.

A – I need to meditate on God’s word. This will bring true soul revival.

P – Lord, wash me in the water of your word. Revive me with your perfect law.

Gen 44:1‐45:28, Matt 14:13‐36, Ps 18:37‐50, Prov 4:11‐13

Matthew 14:23 – And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

Every time I see glimpses of one of Jesus’ quiet times, I get excited.

After ministry work…
He went up – he took initiative to stop what he was doing
Mountain – outside with God in his creation
By himself, alone – solitary place
to pray – had a plan
When evening came – spent significant time

I wonder what kid of fireworks went off when Jesus had a quiet time? How can we pattern our time with God after Jesus?

Psalm 18:29 “For by you I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.”

Verse 20-24 of Psalms 18 seem prideful as David calls himself righteous. Vs 25-30 show that David realizes that it is God who has worked the impossible in his life and made him righteous.

I often forget that the all powerful creator and life giver is fighting for me. It doesn’t matter what the battle I am fighting is, “By (God) I can run against a troop.” What kind of walls am I facing in my marriage, my financial life, my job, etc? “By my God I can leap over a wall.”

As the 19th century American social reformer, Frederick Douglass, once said:
“One + God = the Majority”

S – Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”

O – As I read the story of how God showed himself to Pharaoh and the people of Egypt through Joseph, I am reminded how quickly the nation forgot the power and blessings found in following God. In 400 years God’s people would move from second in command to slaves and God would have to show himself powerful again through the 12 plagues that would deliver his people from the same land.

A – Today, through this story, I am reminded to pray for our country and our leaders.

P – Lord, show our country and our leaders who you are and the blessing that is found in following you. Help us to respond to your words like Pharaoh responded to the words you gave Joseph.

Proverbs 3:33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Wow. The Bible often scares me. I love my family. As a father, God’s word says that my sin and/or righteous actions will have consequences in my life AND in the life of my family members.

Several questions. How have you seen your parents actions effect your life? What generational sin to you see in your family? What are you doing to stop it? Is it OK to be motivated to live righteously for the good of your spouse and children?