October 7 Proverbs 24:15-22 Colossians 3; 4:1 Jeremiah 14; 15
Proverbs 24:15-22
People who find their strength in God will get back up when they are knocked down. God’s faithful love helps us bounce back from failure. We must not be distracted by what is going on with people who are choosing to do wrong. Let’s focus on God. Let your focus be simple. Love God with your “heart and soul”. Share God’s love with others. Let God’s love shape your identity, value, and purpose. Then, do what God has put in front of you.
Colossians 3; 4:1
Paul writes about how our lives can change when we receive a new spiritual life from Jesus. We can now think about the “realities of heaven” more than the things of earth. We should value the “realities of heaven” more than the “realities” of earth. With this in mind, we must walk away from sin and toward Jesus who is making us new. In this new life, how we identify ourselves (regarding gender, race, status, etc.) is not what matters most. Jesus is what matters most. Colossians 3:12-16 has an amazing description of Jesus’ characteristics. We can grow in the same characteristics as we get to know Jesus. This helps us understand what following Jesus looks like. In response to Jesus, we sing to create an avenue whereby grace can be poured into our hearts. We sing because of the grace God poured on us. Paul instructs us to relate to the people in our lives out of constant awareness of God. What does this passage mean in our practical everyday lives? Serve Jesus in everything you do, in every way that you do it, and in every reason that you do it.
Jeremiah 14; 15
Jeremiah is in a dialogue with God about current events. He sees God’s justice on lying prophets and people who reject God. As a result, Jeremiah is weeping and praying on behalf of the people. It is an example of intercessory prayer and the work each Christian leader should take up. If you are not praying for the people you serve, you will drift into harmful behavior. After watching many generations of Israelites rejecting Him, worshipping other gods, and doing countless evil things, God declares judgment. False prophets would not be spared punishment. Jeremiah asked God to be rescued from people attacking him for speaking the truth. God answered him and encouraged him to be faithful in his ministry. God tells Jeremiah to not be influenced by the people and leaders, who had walked away.
October 7 Proverbs 24:15-22 Colossians 3; 4:1 Jeremiah 14; 15
Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking the next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
What should you do about that truth?