September 26 Psalm 112 Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-7 Isaiah 63; 64; 65:1-16
Psalm 112
Following the guidance of God will improve your quality of life. In this way, it is reasonable to believe that God will take care of you. Who is joyful? People who live in a loving relationship with God. They are constantly aware of God. They show God respect. They are seen in Psalm 112 as generous. God is faithful to His covenant agreements. Responding to God, faith-filled generous people are not overcome by evil in this world but can live out of a confident hope that God will take care of them.
Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-7
Paul writes about our response to the love of God. This includes our searching out the ways that God has said would be healthy for us to live. We are called up out of a life of hopeless confusion. It is a complete change from days when our hearts and minds may be been closed to God. We should make a daily decision to allow the Holy Spirit to renew what we are thinking and feeling. This is an essential ingredient to our decision to live like Jesus and share His love. We should not be deceived by people who are finding reasons to avoid the guidance of God. There will be a day of accountability.
Isaiah 63; 64; 65:1-16
Our God is faithful. Since the beginning of time, no one has seen a god, like our faithful loving God. Faithful in forgiving the repentant and punishing those who refused to repent. God remained available to those who did not recognize Him as Lord. The prayer of Isaiah 64 comes from someone who has learned about God’s history with people through hundreds of years. In his prayer, we hear about the characteristics of God. How had people observed God to be? What were God’s thoughts, emotions, values, and decision-making like? This prayer keeps the requests within the context of what God is like. Here we see the analogy of God as the Potter shaping the clay of our lives. Isaiah 65:10 makes it clear that restoration is coming for people who search for God.
September 26 Psalm 112 Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-7 Isaiah 63; 64; 65:1-16
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?