tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-354431672024-03-14T09:15:27.577-05:00Useful Breath"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.comBlogger6070125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-70468707234754676482021-05-13T12:14:00.006-05:002021-05-13T12:24:33.112-05:00USEFUL BREATH IS ON PAUSE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45pxQ3xQGZLboKXHe7uPVQt5D5FZdSW9WOU2aFLwg30ciOn6LWOthK02HG6iNNT25_0z_0N6crTox8sAV1trsJadDpuTT3T1dHUu8l-qoe3SKda_LGbHsgzEdVTTMVqgkkYY-/s515/Pause+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="115" data-original-width="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45pxQ3xQGZLboKXHe7uPVQt5D5FZdSW9WOU2aFLwg30ciOn6LWOthK02HG6iNNT25_0z_0N6crTox8sAV1trsJadDpuTT3T1dHUu8l-qoe3SKda_LGbHsgzEdVTTMVqgkkYY-/s16000/Pause+Banner.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b> <br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>IMPORTANT NEWS FOR USEFUL BREATH SUBSCRIBERS: </b></span> </p><p>This is the final post on this blog for awhile. It might even be the final post. Time will tell.<br /></p><p>Please visit <a href="https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html">https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html</a> to find new resources to help you with reading and understanding scripture. </p><p>I’ve
been posting this blog every day since October 2006. I hope it is
has been a help and encouragement to the many readers who have
joined me over the years. Thanks for your support and participation. </p><p>The blog will continue to stay online and you can find specific passages of Scripture by using the search bar.</p><p>I may turn the blog into a two-year daily devotional book. We'll see if that happens. </p><p>Dave Burkum</p><br />Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-36137192755682693452021-05-08T04:30:00.000-05:002021-05-13T12:08:24.120-05:00Never Having Enough<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5E7XxM6cMvBxEtHVPTkPCJAkfT8QVBVUHl_FWWkKP1D62srLMraFukwVOyPX3zeEkXCylamAtOkzvbRC2s7Je8chl4x0xX4GKirMLLE6eysV6EaBq98nIiUK2t0vDU6Xkzz9/s1600/Money+Jar.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603311005460738002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5E7XxM6cMvBxEtHVPTkPCJAkfT8QVBVUHl_FWWkKP1D62srLMraFukwVOyPX3zeEkXCylamAtOkzvbRC2s7Je8chl4x0xX4GKirMLLE6eysV6EaBq98nIiUK2t0vDU6Xkzz9/s320/Money+Jar.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="207" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%204:1-6:12&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:17-31&version=NIV">Hebrews 11:17-31</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20132:1-18&version=NIV">Psalm 132:1-18</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecclesiastes 4:10-12</span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">10
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never
satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods
increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the
owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is
sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their
abundance permits them no sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
One
by one, the writer of Ecclesiastes methodically dismantles the idols
and false hopes of life. Money and possessions are among the meaningless
things to love. Why love something that cannot satisfy? Why accumulate
when there is never enough? Why make more to spend more? Don't treasures
become junk once you realize they are nothing more than things to store
or stare at? Who benefits? Who gets a better night's sleep—the person
with nothing to lose or the person with an abundance of things to lose?
What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
I
want to love and value the things that matter most. I want to put first
the things that last. I want to live in a way that all I need is all I
want. I will strive to be a good steward, I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> seek fulfillment in possessions. I will strive to be a hard worker, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> put my trust in wealth. I will do all I can to be a fruitful servant, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> expect things to give me joy. I will endeavor to be responsible in my financial affairs, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> waste time worrying about loss. I will give thanks for the many blessings and provision I enjoy, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> be deceived into thinking that life is about having an abundance of things.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, help me to be a good steward of all you have given me. Grant me
the wisdom and the will to guard my heart, to feed my spirit, to
stimulate my mind, and care for my body. Help me to seek first your
kingdom and your righteousness. Help me to value and love the things
worthy of value and love. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul,
mind, and strength. Through Christ, I pray. Amen. </span><span style="color: #996633; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 Timothy 6:9-10</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">9
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into
many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830834419/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><b class="sans">Breaking the Idols of Your Heart</b></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cries-Heart-Ravi-Zacharias/dp/0849943876/ref=sr_1_1/103-6144714-6219858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194447910&sr=1-1"><br /></a>by Dan Allender and Tremper LongmanDave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-32506232242964831452021-05-07T04:30:00.001-05:002021-05-07T04:30:00.223-05:00Certainty and Hope<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkU6SsHTDHQRkGQSjoHSDbr8qAgfanuo7soQHrFllstk_HUSAKAxYinCMtFDHmDrIa5iq0lfNE_MlgettWiZxEO50bInfLRWuAzrJwtVFLfP3l6s6jKjOavNXU-BLq4h-hFsQ/s1600/Thinking+Man.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603294938800916498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkU6SsHTDHQRkGQSjoHSDbr8qAgfanuo7soQHrFllstk_HUSAKAxYinCMtFDHmDrIa5iq0lfNE_MlgettWiZxEO50bInfLRWuAzrJwtVFLfP3l6s6jKjOavNXU-BLq4h-hFsQ/s320/Thinking+Man.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="217" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%201:1-3:22&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:1-16&version=NIV">Hebrews 11:1-16</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20131:1-3&version=NIV">Psalm 131:1-3</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 11:1-2</span></span><br />
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30158" style="font-style: italic;">1</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30159" style="font-style: italic;">2 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">This is what the ancients were commended for.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
By
faith, it is possible to have a certainty about how I see the world and
where I place my hope. The story of faith recorded in the Scriptures
includes many men and women who lived by faith. What they believed about
God guided their choices and actions. Real faith looks beyond
circumstances and the limitations of self. <span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30196" style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"><br /><br /><span style="color: #783f04;">Hebrews 11:39-40</span></span> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">- "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>People
who have faith in God look beyond what they have received and what they
are experiencing today. They believe that God has something better
planned for humankind, and that he will be faithful to his promises.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
I
will put my faith in God. I believe that God has something better
planned for his people, something better for me, and something better
for the world. I will follow the example of the long train of believers
throughout history who have exemplified faith in God.<br />
<br />
My
faith in God, and confidence in his promises, will guide my actions and
choices each day. I will live each day with a certainty about God's
love and faithfulness.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, increase my faith. Help me to live out my faith in thought, word,
and deed. Help me to gain insight, inspiration, and encouragement from
examples of faith recorded in Scripture and throughout Christian
history. Help me to look beyond what is seen and to grasp what is unseen
and yet so real. May I, like the ancients of the faith, be commended
one day for my steadfast confidence in you. Amen.</span><span style="color: #996633; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 Corinthians 4:16-18</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far
outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on
what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Faith-Guide-Christian-Life/dp/B00394DJF2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274199095&sr=1-2"><b class="sans">Living Faith: A Guide to the Christian Life</b></a><br />
by John Schwarz</p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-19533500529807175602021-05-06T04:30:00.001-05:002021-05-06T04:30:00.223-05:00Encourage Each Other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQAbXJCxAX6CfrkUGlNAShpeFdteU9Oo-JeEYj9VeZdb3bF75_xiZqVHRYZa8_CKHT6o4G4AtlKR_FpTsHcHXIOoHdXX6IC8TtXmAyYjRoFKDdtN868nROAY65dA-84tb8aNY/s1600/Encourage+Runner.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQAbXJCxAX6CfrkUGlNAShpeFdteU9Oo-JeEYj9VeZdb3bF75_xiZqVHRYZa8_CKHT6o4G4AtlKR_FpTsHcHXIOoHdXX6IC8TtXmAyYjRoFKDdtN868nROAY65dA-84tb8aNY/s320/Encourage+Runner.png" width="222" /></a></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2040:1-42:17&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 40:1-42:17</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:18-39&version=NIV">Hebrews 10:18-39</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130:1-8&version=NIV">Psalm 130:1-8</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 10:23-25</span></span><br />
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30141" style="font-style: italic;">23 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30142" style="font-style: italic;">24</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30143" style="font-style: italic;">25</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Let
us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
God
is faithful and he will keep his promises made to us in Christ. Because
I have professed faith in Christ, I will hold on tightly to the hope I
have in him. Christian community should be a source of encouragement to
all believers. It should also prompt us to grow in love and to do good
deeds.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span><br />
I
must hold on tightly to the hope I have in Jesus. I must live out my
faith in the company of friends who also follow Jesus. Christian
community is necessary for me. I will be actively involved in the
fellowship of the Church. Christian friends can encourage me in my faith
and spur me on to do good deeds. I, too, can be a source of godly
encouragement and prompting for others.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, you are faithful to your promises. Help me to remember your
promises and cling to the hope I have in you. Surround me with Christian
friends who can encourage me and push me toward righteousness. Help me
to be a source of encouragement and prompting for my Christian friends.
Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">Romans 15:4-6</span></span></span><span style="color: #996633; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so
that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the
encouragement they provide we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives
endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward
each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice
you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended Reading:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Caring-Dr-Larry-Crabb/dp/0310225914/ref=sr_1_14/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1172903156&sr=1-14"><b class="sans">Encouragement: The Key to Caring</b></a><br />
by Dr. Larry Crabb and Dr. Dan B. Allender<p> </p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-47395454832296566332021-05-05T04:30:00.002-05:002021-05-05T04:30:00.219-05:00Hearts and Minds<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdrchW68hajYKx2EOt8ePvQCF6EgDEVoP3blgVzvtJlmSkq7tP92W94cs8N4aAJYGvsvJX_riZffvAcmvVCLXEjHxmYVkbSDEfoyUXgrnJzgTm9Gg5zb2NKIjP9uJI8zoDd9y/s1600/Heart+%2526+Mind_crop_adj.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602528921817312834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdrchW68hajYKx2EOt8ePvQCF6EgDEVoP3blgVzvtJlmSkq7tP92W94cs8N4aAJYGvsvJX_riZffvAcmvVCLXEjHxmYVkbSDEfoyUXgrnJzgTm9Gg5zb2NKIjP9uJI8zoDd9y/s320/Heart+%2526+Mind_crop_adj.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="183" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2037:1-39:30&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 37:1-39:30</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:1-17&version=NIV">Hebrews 10:1-17</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20129:1-8&version=NIV">Psalm 129:1-8</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 10:14-17</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">14</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">15</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">16</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> “This
is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I
will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their
minds.” </span><span style="font-style: italic;">17</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
The sacrifices of the Jewish priesthood had to be repeated over and over because they were <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> about forgiveness and repentance. The sacrifice of Christ Jesus was about forgiveness from sin, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> it
was also about something even greater—transformation and freedom from
our bondage to sin. The priesthood of Christ brought more than
forgiveness; it brought the possibility of new life.<br />
<br />
By
the power and grace of the Spirit of Christ, we can now escape from our
fallen obligation to sin. Instead of trying to keep a law that is
external and contrary to our nature, the Christ-follower has the will
and the ways of God engraved upon their hearts and written in their
minds. Because our nature is changed, we can be renovated from the
inside out. We experience more than forgiveness; we experience
transformation.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span><br />
My
faith in Christ is about more than forgiveness. I look to the power and
grace of his Holy Spirit to change me. I do not look to him for new
rules and special insights to pursue in my own strength. Rather, I look
to him for the transformation of my heart and mind. I want to have a
heart and mind that are inclined toward the ways of Christ. The holiness
and wholeness of my life must flow out from the change I am
experiencing in the deepest parts of my being. I want more than
forgiveness for my past; I desire strength for today and bright hope for
tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, help me to live for you and through you in thought, word, and
deed. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, teach, shape, and
strengthen me that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Thank you for Jesus who makes forgiveness
possible. Thank you, even more, that he makes change and new life
possible. Thank you for the new and living way he has opened for us.
It's in his name that I pray. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">Romans 8:12-13</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">12</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For
if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit
you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended Reading:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Renovation-Heart-Putting-Character-Christ/dp/1576832961/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195139946&sr=1-1"><b class="sans">Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ</b></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cries-Heart-Ravi-Zacharias/dp/0849943876/ref=sr_1_1/103-6144714-6219858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194447910&sr=1-1"><br /></a>by Dallas Willard</p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-83515812746510552452021-05-04T04:30:00.001-05:002021-05-04T04:30:00.242-05:00Once for All<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8azNQY-cZf5kNDfebqSNcoXQiLxlv8nrhmxmjzm_v-vJiPTnigMJxCBkc327vrstZrR4XiuYwPf7oTsR4dkaw4asKNkHm5SKKsPzZNgPH76C_gyDYtu3-RabjFaBCI9bzs2kP/s1600/Dali_Cross_Gallilee.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602111403679375330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8azNQY-cZf5kNDfebqSNcoXQiLxlv8nrhmxmjzm_v-vJiPTnigMJxCBkc327vrstZrR4XiuYwPf7oTsR4dkaw4asKNkHm5SKKsPzZNgPH76C_gyDYtu3-RabjFaBCI9bzs2kP/s320/Dali_Cross_Gallilee.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="178" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2034:1-36:33&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 34:1-36:33</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%209:11-28&version=NIV">Hebrews 9:11-28</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20128:1-6&version=NIV">Psalm 128:1-6</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 9:23-28</span></span><br />
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30113" style="font-style: italic;">23 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">It
was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be
purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with
better sacrifices than these. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30114" style="font-style: italic;">24</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For
Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the
true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's
presence. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30115" style="font-style: italic;">25</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Nor
did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high
priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his
own. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30116" style="font-style: italic;">26 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Then
Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the
world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do
away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30117" style="font-style: italic;">27</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30118" style="font-style: italic;">28 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">so
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he
will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to
those who are waiting for him.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Insight:</span><br />
While
many things before Jesus (the tabernacle, ceremonial washings,
offerings, feast days, the temple, sacrifices, Passover) pointed to
God's plan and desire to save the world from sin, Jesus himself <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> God's
plan. Jesus is not another symbol or message about the salvation God
has in mind for the world and mankind; Jesus actually <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> that plan. All those other things were preparing the way and pointing to <span style="font-style: italic;">him</span>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span><br />
My
faith is in Jesus the Christ. I believe that he takes away the sins of
the world through his sacrifice on the cross. The cross is much more
than a symbol of God's love. Jesus’ sacrifice is God's love in action.
Through Christ's death, the separation from God caused by my sins has
been taken away. I will praise Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, my
redeemer, and my salvation. I long for his appearing on the final day
when my salvation will be fully realized.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Lord
Jesus, you are worthy of my praise, my life, and my all. You were
slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe
and language and people and nation. I will give you my worship and honor
and glory and power, forever and ever! I look for the resurrection and
the life of the world to come. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 53:6</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own
way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended Reading:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Christ-John-R-Stott/dp/083083320X/sr=1-1/qid=1172783143/ref=sr_1_1/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">The Cross of Christ</b></a><br />
by John R. W. Stott</p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-91893404574791417212021-05-03T04:30:00.001-05:002021-05-03T04:30:00.238-05:00Unless the Lord Builds the House<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rLHBRN9l5BNJB4iLuHCbNP6B_tOBzwZXvwudtDotKNKkD8cKy7g0IwEsmYRR6voA6Vp5EJpMbdsOMTcW6F26-6molF6iezaYZTRe2ReFY8RgGTCudXYnwc40I5fomzXfhzzH/s1600/Carpenters.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601229978591391218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rLHBRN9l5BNJB4iLuHCbNP6B_tOBzwZXvwudtDotKNKkD8cKy7g0IwEsmYRR6voA6Vp5EJpMbdsOMTcW6F26-6molF6iezaYZTRe2ReFY8RgGTCudXYnwc40I5fomzXfhzzH/s320/Carpenters.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="203" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2031:1-33:33&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 31:1-33:33</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%209:1-10&version=NIV">Hebrews 9:1-10</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20127:1-5&version=NIV">Psalm 127:1-5</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span><span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Psalm 127:1-2</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless
the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In
vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he
grants sleep to those he loves.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Insight:</span><br />
As
the Israelites climbed the road to Jerusalem for feast days and sang
these songs, they remembered what it must have been like for the first
generation who returned to Jerusalem after the exile (Ps. 126). They
thought of how joyous and unbelievable it must have been for the
children of those who had seen Jerusalem destroyed to one day return and
rebuild it.<br />
<br />
The returning exiles knew the consequences
of turning away from God. They had seen their houses destroyed, and
understood the futility of the things accomplished in their own
strength. Psalm 127 was the perfect song to sing after Psalm 126. Those who
know the futility and destruction of turning away from God can wisely
declare: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span><br />
I
want to begin today with a Psalm 126 perspective--to look back at the
foolish ambitions and efforts of my past, and to rejoice in the ways God
faithfully continues to lead me out of those failures into a joyful and
hopeful future.<br />
<br />
I will give careful consideration to
the things I work on today. Am I building something that honors God? Am I
giving myself to the work and purpose and direction God is leading me
to do? Am I depending upon his guidance, strength, and provision, or am I
wearing myself out by doing things for my own reasons, in my own way,
and in my own strength?<br />
<br />
I want my life to be a house
that God is building. I want to find rest and peace and satisfaction in
God's will and purpose. God is the builder of the life I want to live.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, help me to live for you and through you in thought, word, and
deed. Help me to turn away from what is wrong, and to do what is right.
Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. By the
power and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, build, provide, and sustain
my life. Help me to delight in your will, and to walk in your ways, to
the glory of your name. Through Christ, Amen.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> Luke 14:28-30</span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">28</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> "Suppose
one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and
estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? </span><span style="font-style: italic;">29</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">30</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended Reading:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Long-Obedience-Same-Direction-Discipleship/dp/0830822577/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200586284&sr=1-1"><b class="sans">A Long Obedience in the Same Direction</b></a><br />
by Eugene Peterson</p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-1292670763536383542021-05-02T04:30:00.001-05:002021-05-02T04:30:00.217-05:00Written on Their Hearts<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu6uWpFIco2fonEIqBT60BjibTn_Nx8VT1bX8t3O9MpZTREcvxdQDtU6-0ivFq4EiumDxlZF4WBr5McLDFR8m8CWy3eIIMrETfn_e7mucCgNU7-grx-D5lyctvMMEUU-MMzQF/s1600/Bible+Heart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601224055028318050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu6uWpFIco2fonEIqBT60BjibTn_Nx8VT1bX8t3O9MpZTREcvxdQDtU6-0ivFq4EiumDxlZF4WBr5McLDFR8m8CWy3eIIMrETfn_e7mucCgNU7-grx-D5lyctvMMEUU-MMzQF/s320/Bible+Heart.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2028:1-30:31&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 28:1-30:31</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%208:1-13&version=NIV">Hebrews 8:1-13</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20126:1-6&version=NIV">Psalm 126:1-6</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> Hebrews 8:10-12</span></span><br />
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30087" style="font-style: italic;">10</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> This
is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,
declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on
their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30088" style="font-style: italic;">11</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> No
longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying,
'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them
to the greatest. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30089" style="font-style: italic;">12</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
External
laws are not able to transform the heart and mind that opposes and
resists them. Because God desires to forgive our sins, make us his
people, and be our God, he declares that he will put his laws in our
minds and write them on our hearts. Instead of doing good things to
become God's people, God will make us his people in order to help us do
good things. This is the covenant he makes with all who place faith in
Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
I
need to surrender my heart and mind to God. I should expect him to
change me and guide me. I must meditate on the Scriptures and
prayerfully ask God to help me apply them to my daily life. I can't
settle for a "behavior modification" approach to following Christ; I
need my heart and mind to be changed so that Christ-like behavior will
flow out from what I am in Jesus.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, you are my rock and my salvation. Forgive my wickedness and forget
my sins. Save me from the inside out. Heal and transform my heart and
mind. Be my God, and make me one of your people. Make me new by the
power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 Corinthians 3:17-18</span></span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-16300" style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">17</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">18</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> And
we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being
transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
from the Lord, who is the Spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Renovation-Heart-Putting-Character-Christ/dp/1576832961/sr=1-1/qid=1172732921/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">Renovation of the Heart</b></a><br />
by Dallas Willard</p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-1892674144586158502021-05-01T23:02:00.002-05:002021-05-01T23:02:40.464-05:00READING SCHEDULE: MAY 2-8<p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>IMPORTANT NEWS FOR USEFUL BREATH SUBSCRIBERS: </b></span><br />As of Sunday May 9, the Useful Breath daily blog posts will be coming to an end. You are encouraged to visit <a href="https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html">https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html</a> to find new resources to help you with reading and understanding scripture. </p><p>I’ve
been posting this blog every day since October 2006. I hope it is
has been a help and encouragement to the many readers who have
joined me over the years. Thanks for your support and participation. </p><p>Dave Burkum</p>PS - I'd like to turn the blog into a two-year daily devotional book. We'll see if that happens. :-) <p><b><a href="https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html" target="_blank">READING SCHEDULE & HELPS</a><br /></b></p><b>SUNDAY<br />Job 28:1-30:31<br />Hebrews 8:1-13<br />Psalm 126:1-6<br /><br />MONDAY<br />Job 31:1-33:33<br />Hebrews 9:1-10<br />Psalm 127:1-5<br /><br />TUESDAY <br />Job 34:1-36:33<br />Hebrews 9:11-28<br />Psalm 128:1-6<br /><br />WEDNESDAY <br />Job 37:1-39:30<br />Hebrews 10:1-17<br />Psalm 129:1-8<br /><br />THURSDAY <br />Job 40:1-42:17<br />Hebrews 10:18-39<br />Psalm 130:1-8<br /><br />FRIDAY <br />Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22<br />Hebrews 11:1-16<br />Psalm 131:1-3<br /><br />SATURDAY <br />Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12<br />Hebrews 11:17-31<br />Psalm 132:1-18</b> <br />Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-30110934490051080042021-05-01T04:30:00.003-05:002021-05-01T23:11:21.205-05:00Never Having Enough<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5E7XxM6cMvBxEtHVPTkPCJAkfT8QVBVUHl_FWWkKP1D62srLMraFukwVOyPX3zeEkXCylamAtOkzvbRC2s7Je8chl4x0xX4GKirMLLE6eysV6EaBq98nIiUK2t0vDU6Xkzz9/s1600/Money+Jar.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603311005460738002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5E7XxM6cMvBxEtHVPTkPCJAkfT8QVBVUHl_FWWkKP1D62srLMraFukwVOyPX3zeEkXCylamAtOkzvbRC2s7Je8chl4x0xX4GKirMLLE6eysV6EaBq98nIiUK2t0vDU6Xkzz9/s320/Money+Jar.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="207" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%204:1-6:12&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:17-31&version=NIV">Hebrews 11:17-31</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20132:1-18&version=NIV">Psalm 132:1-18</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecclesiastes 4:10-12</span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">10
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never
satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods
increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the
owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is
sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their
abundance permits them no sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
One
by one, the writer of Ecclesiastes methodically dismantles the idols
and false hopes of life. Money and possessions are among the meaningless
things to love. Why love something that cannot satisfy? Why accumulate
when there is never enough? Why make more to spend more? Don't treasures
become junk once you realize they are nothing more than things to store
or stare at? Who benefits? Who gets a better night's sleep—the person
with nothing to lose or the person with an abundance of things to lose?
What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
I
want to love and value the things that matter most. I want to put first
the things that last. I want to live in a way that all I need is all I
want. I will strive to be a good steward, I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> seek fulfillment in possessions. I will strive to be a hard worker, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> put my trust in wealth. I will do all I can to be a fruitful servant, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> expect things to give me joy. I will endeavor to be responsible in my financial affairs, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> waste time worrying about loss. I will give thanks for the many blessings and provision I enjoy, but I will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> be deceived into thinking that life is about having an abundance of things.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, help me to be a good steward of all you have given me. Grant me
the wisdom and the will to guard my heart, to feed my spirit, to
stimulate my mind, and care for my body. Help me to seek first your
kingdom and your righteousness. Help me to value and love the things
worthy of value and love. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul,
mind, and strength. Through Christ, I pray. Amen. </span><span style="color: #996633; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 Timothy 6:9-10</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">9
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into
many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830834419/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><b class="sans">Breaking the Idols of Your Heart</b></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cries-Heart-Ravi-Zacharias/dp/0849943876/ref=sr_1_1/103-6144714-6219858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194447910&sr=1-1"><br /></a>by Dan Allender and Tremper Longman</p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-75890879439300946912021-05-01T04:30:00.001-05:002021-05-01T04:30:00.232-05:00Unshakable Trust<p><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZN4T792rSZpYyPv6QZcaYcOggOgdyLC497WSiLL5QYKbnwlmX4WK58UyRlR1suxm4SB3WCf_m3p7XbTpKE5tpcRUsYz8wbbzKJzhwCQEAVL9Tl1dcwyZpPFv41T97aywPf89/s1600-h/Hiker+Mountains.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444079830336089698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZN4T792rSZpYyPv6QZcaYcOggOgdyLC497WSiLL5QYKbnwlmX4WK58UyRlR1suxm4SB3WCf_m3p7XbTpKE5tpcRUsYz8wbbzKJzhwCQEAVL9Tl1dcwyZpPFv41T97aywPf89/s320/Hiker+Mountains.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="193" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2023:1-27:23&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 23:1-27:23</span></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%207:18-28&version=NIV">Hebrews 7:18-28</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20125:1-5&version=NIV">Psalm 125:1-5</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Psalm 125:</span></span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1-3</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">1
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken
but endures forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD
surrounds his people both now and forevermore. 3 The scepter of the
wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then
the righteous might use their hands to do evil.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The
fifteen psalms called the "Psalms of Ascent" (Psalms 120 - 134) were to
be sung when the children of Israel traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem
(Mount Zion) three times a year to worship and celebrate the feast days
prescribed in the Law of Moses. Christians have long considered these
ancient pilgrimages to be a useful metaphor of their own spiritual
journey and maturity (ascent) as followers of Christ.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
As
the people climbed the road to Jerusalem, and saw how it was surrounded
by rugged and unshakable mountains, they sang praise to their God who
surrounded them with his unshakable love and provision. They rejoiced in
God's steadfast care, and put their hope in his promises.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Though
my journey to know and follow Jesus has been an uphill climb, I am
trusting in God's enduring love. I believe he will keep his promises to
those who worship him and seek his righteousness. I am surrounded by the
unshakable love and care of my God who never sleeps or slumbers (Ps.
121). He watches over my life—my coming and my going—now and forever. I
will celebrate and worship him today. I will live in hope, believing his
promises to be faithful and true.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">O
God, I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the
eyes of a child look to his mother, as the eyes of a captive look to
his deliverer, as the eyes of the hungry look to their provider, and the
eyes of a sinner look to the one who forgives, as the eyes of the
broken look to the one who restores, as the eyes of the sick look to the
one who heals, so my eyes look to Jesus Christ, my Lord and merciful
Savior who lives and reigns with you, and the Holy Spirit, one God now
and forever. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 12:1-3</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">1</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">2</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who
for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">3</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Long-Obedience-Same-Direction-Discipleship/dp/0830822577/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200586284&sr=1-1"><b class="sans">A Long Obedience in the Same Direction</b></a><br />
by Eugene Peterson<br /></span>
<span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-style: italic;">A wonderful book of meditations based on the Psalms of Ascent.</span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-52214705292459574812021-04-30T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-30T04:30:00.224-05:00He Is Able to Save<p><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDR6JZt7usNzi0VlcZag4vq91DO38z-7WvaBqYT1J5fpMtQJincYPsnRry-KB-nw-v4zrR0jHEavMdem2wdqgEyAZenNxcP4-CdL9r5X07z1hoPgStRrqEJhL2ujS7K8ERBAk/s1600/Resurrected+Christ_crop.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600637341805915762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDR6JZt7usNzi0VlcZag4vq91DO38z-7WvaBqYT1J5fpMtQJincYPsnRry-KB-nw-v4zrR0jHEavMdem2wdqgEyAZenNxcP4-CdL9r5X07z1hoPgStRrqEJhL2ujS7K8ERBAk/s320/Resurrected+Christ_crop.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="208" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2020:1-22:30&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 20:1-22:30</span></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%207:1-17&version=NIV">Hebrews 7:1-17</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20124:1-8&version=NIV">Psalm 124:1-8</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> Hebrews 7:23-25</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30072" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">23</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30073" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">24</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30074" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">25</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Because
Jesus has overcome death and lives forever, his priesthood is permanent
and is therefore superior to any priesthood that preceded him. The
salvation he makes possible is complete and eternal. He died for us, and
now lives for us. He is always pleading on our behalf before God.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
It's
incredible to think that Jesus is forever interceding and advocating
for all who are coming to God through faith in him. I want to be
responsive to Christ's saving work in my life. I will follow him with
my whole heart and expect change and spiritual maturity, knowing that
Jesus is able to save me completely.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">King
Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for interceding on my
behalf. Thank you for saving me from the penalty of sin and the bondage
to sin. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, teach
transform, shape, and strengthen me, that I might delight in your will
and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #996633; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 4:14-15</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">14</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Therefore,
since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">15</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as
we are—yet he did not sin.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incomparable-Christ-John-R-Stott/dp/083083222X/sr=1-1/qid=1172634705/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">The Incomparable Christ</b></a><br />
by John Stott</span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-66135599353287581312021-04-29T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-29T04:30:00.212-05:00Thorns and Thistles<p><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARQDrTPsgAcSs2VtLyXNureR5MbBoRN5h1a5k0yxKWZq20Vmqn_qrE3L-KuVspyKD6GDbckrp5PGhDjE8QW7NWpbYai9CYpGyhxdjluZdgRa0MIFmK1GMszg9K1JVs37NpSKR/s1600/Thorns+Sepia.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600619923513240514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARQDrTPsgAcSs2VtLyXNureR5MbBoRN5h1a5k0yxKWZq20Vmqn_qrE3L-KuVspyKD6GDbckrp5PGhDjE8QW7NWpbYai9CYpGyhxdjluZdgRa0MIFmK1GMszg9K1JVs37NpSKR/s320/Thorns+Sepia.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="202" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2016:1-19:29&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 16:1-19:29</span></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%206:1-20&version=NIV">Hebrews 6:1-20</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20123:1-4&version=NIV">Psalm 123:1-4</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> Hebrews 6:4-9</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30033" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">4 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">It
is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted
the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30034" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">5 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30035" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">6 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">if
they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss
they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to
public disgrace.</span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30036" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> 7</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Land
that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop
useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30037" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">8</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30038" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">9</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
It's
very easy to miss the real point of this passage of scripture if we are
sidetracked into a discussion about whether or not these verses say
salvation can be lost. That's not an uninteresting subject or a bad
conversation to have; it's just a distraction from the writer's main
point—the things that accompany salvation.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Like land
that produces a useful and blessed crop after it drinks in the falling
rain, our lives should produce better things—a harvest of
righteousness—once we have taken in the life-giving rain of salvation
through Christ. If we are truly receiving the saving grace of God
through faith in Christ, our lives will be transformed. We should expect
better things—the things salvation produces. To be saved is to change
and grow and produce a life that honors God, and is blessed by God.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
I
want to experience transformation. With God's salvation and by his
grace and power, I want to move toward better things. I want God's word
and blessing in my life to produce fruit that gives witness to his
salvation and power in my life. Through Christ, I will continually
pursue righteousness and turn from sin. I will confidently expect change
and growth in my life. I will not settle for a "taste" of heaven and
the word; I will give every effort to experiencing the transformation
salvation brings.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">Thank
you, God, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making me
whole. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving to me your great salvation, so
rich and free. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Romans 12:1-2</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your
spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing
and perfect will.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Character-Discovering-Spiritual-Transformation/dp/1576838579/sr=1-4/qid=1172509730/ref=sr_1_4/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">Revolution of Character: Discovering Christ's Pattern for Spiritual Transformation</b></a><br />
by Dallas Willard and Don Simpson</span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-15976580214185869382021-04-28T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-28T04:30:00.234-05:00Solid Food for Maturity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFqe8IH7CFT4k8-5HZm3KkjfWPdsAiHv3kzd5nbuqCsUHO2OHh3SFKiwK_zMpZPkXow7jXiNVBSUh_8J8teiFDtoBRGVqI7PLPFmUtYePYQnZWU7hIwsSDREN1Pb-H8Dvj5F1/s1600/FRUIT_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFqe8IH7CFT4k8-5HZm3KkjfWPdsAiHv3kzd5nbuqCsUHO2OHh3SFKiwK_zMpZPkXow7jXiNVBSUh_8J8teiFDtoBRGVqI7PLPFmUtYePYQnZWU7hIwsSDREN1Pb-H8Dvj5F1/s320/FRUIT_crop.jpg" width="224" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2012:1-15:35&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 12:1-15:35</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205:1-14&version=NIV">Hebrews 5:1-14</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20122:1-9&version=NIV">Psalm 122:1-9</a></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 5:11-14</span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> 12</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> In
fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need
milk, not solid food! </span><span style="font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
Spiritual
maturity requires a desire and an effort to understand. We must
cultivate an appetite for deeper understanding. Deeper understanding
will require chewing on things with more substance. The milk of
elementary beliefs and ideas is a good starting point for being a
Christian, but a willingness to wrestle through the bigger questions of
life demands perseverance and effort. The simple things that nurture us
in our Christian infancy are sweet and good, but we will need a much
more nutritious and complex diet if we are to mature into Christians
able to live out the gospel in a complicated and demanding world.<br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
My
spiritual maturity requires my effort. A desire to grow is essential to
growing. While I need to long for the pure spiritual milk that gets me
started, I must not be content to live on milk alone. I must press
forward for deeper things. I must wrestle with bigger questions. I must
become more and more familiar with the scriptures. I must discuss and
think and respond to more demanding aspects and concerns of what it
means to follow Christ Jesus and live for him.<br />
<br />
The way
of spiritual maturity is more than a sweet and simple belief; it is a
rigorous and demanding path that requires my best thinking, my deepest
desire, and my wholehearted effort. Spiritual maturity results from more
than belief and surrender; it requires diligent pursuit.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, give me a desire for maturity. By the power and grace of your Holy
Spirit, lead, teach, transform, shape and strengthen me, that I might
delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your Name.
Grant me the wisdom and the will to guard my heart, to feed my spirit,
to stimulate my mind, and to care for my body. Help me to press on and
to strain forward that I might know you more and more. Help me to take
hold of the maturity and purpose you have in mind for me. Through
Christ, I pray. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">Philippians 3:13-14</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">13
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold
of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining
toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Peacefully-Stressful-World-Replacing/dp/1572930594/ref=sr_1_1/103-6144714-6219858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183348038&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-God-Reading-Spiritual-Transformation/dp/0060836970/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251995169&sr=1-12"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation</span></a><br />
by Richard Foster</span><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-12874671401567645552021-04-27T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-27T04:30:00.213-05:00God's Living and Active Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRehyphenhypheniH-WLwJWm0A-uqEahZ_AxRlTYhz2HkpzWaj7BhUJQSJ_u3CrdbQz2FpIeWnw4q5zlmTRLZZKyfPHfPqPUUjU5PghJ285vQ6K7iXRftozJdj-CS7o7uWnja_CrMfr_ybB/s1600/Sword.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRehyphenhypheniH-WLwJWm0A-uqEahZ_AxRlTYhz2HkpzWaj7BhUJQSJ_u3CrdbQz2FpIeWnw4q5zlmTRLZZKyfPHfPqPUUjU5PghJ285vQ6K7iXRftozJdj-CS7o7uWnja_CrMfr_ybB/s1600/Sword.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%208:1-11:20&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 8:1-11:20</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:1-16&version=NIV">Hebrews 4:1-16</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20121:1-8&version=NIV">Psalm 121:1-8</a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.6px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 4:12-13</span></span><br />
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30011" style="font-style: italic;">12</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For
the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-30012" style="font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Nothing
in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and
laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
Nothing
is hidden from God. God's word is alive and active; his truth is
penetrating and able to cut to the heart of everything in creation. Even
our thoughts and attitudes are an open book to God. God's truth must be
heeded because we are all accountable to him.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
I
recognize that God knows me better than I know myself. I will look to
his word for guidance in my life. His word is able to help me see my own
motives and attitudes. I will meditate on God's word and hide it in my
heart. I will let the truth of God's word shape and direct me.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">Almighty
God, before you my heart is open, all my desires are known, and none of
my secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the power of
your Holy Spirit. Guide me and teach me through your word. Help me to
love you with my whole heart, and to live in your truth, that I might
bring you glory. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Proverbs 16:1-3</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">1
To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply
of the tongue. 2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are
weighed by the LORD. 3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your
plans will succeed.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Peacefully-Stressful-World-Replacing/dp/1572930594/ref=sr_1_1/103-6144714-6219858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183348038&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-God-Reading-Spiritual-Transformation/dp/0060836970/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251995169&sr=1-12"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation</span></a><br />
by Richard Foster<p> </p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-48669145215988256062021-04-26T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-26T04:30:00.237-05:00Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus<p><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvOT11xVt_mHKY3s0Lm3w5miZgF8k7u7AAf07a6-M1XTPMfsrYsMLwAxl7v1DaM3WS6wB1-uNs_L6AzTOGx_XsRzLxj1UYJVSuYKSRooITCzdXLpUkploBplNFHrNhrItimQo/s1600/Look+Up+Light.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465570995135751474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvOT11xVt_mHKY3s0Lm3w5miZgF8k7u7AAf07a6-M1XTPMfsrYsMLwAxl7v1DaM3WS6wB1-uNs_L6AzTOGx_XsRzLxj1UYJVSuYKSRooITCzdXLpUkploBplNFHrNhrItimQo/s320/Look+Up+Light.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%204:1-7:21&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 4:1-7:21</span></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:1-19&version=NIV">Hebrews 3:1-19</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20120:1-7&version=NIV">Psalm 120:1-7</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Texts to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Hebrews 3:1, 12-14</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29992" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">1
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your
thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. … 12 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29993" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29994" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">14 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The
writer of Hebrews encourages his Christian readers to fix their
thoughts on Jesus, and to hold firmly to him in faith to the end. He
warns them to not turn away from faith in the living God, and uses the
story of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness to
illustrate his point. Their bodies fell in the desert, and they never
entered into the promised land because of their unbelief.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
More than a mere warning, the Hebrew writer suggests two things I can do to cultivate enduring faith. <i>1) I must focus on Jesus.</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>I
should immerse myself in everything the scriptures tell me about Jesus
-- his words, his actions, his promises, his mission, his teaching, his
commands, his example, and his call to me. <i>2) I must be part of a Christian community</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>that
encourages and admonishes me in faith. I should seize every opportunity
to stimulate and inspire others toward a deeper knowledge and
experience of Christ. In my circle of Christian friends, we should be
able to help each other identify and turn away from the deceitfulness of
sin.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">O
God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you. I will seek you in the
morning. I will learn to walk in your ways. Lead me step by step that I
might follow you all of my days. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">1 John 1:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5-7</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is
light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have
fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by
the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies
us from all sin.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/083083222X/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><b class="asinTitle">The Incomparable Christ</b></a><br />
by John Stott</span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-2618799343271809972021-04-25T19:00:00.001-05:002021-04-25T19:00:00.237-05:00BIBE PROJECT OVERVIEW: JOB<p><a href="https://youtu.be/xQwnH8th_fs" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW...</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtu.be/xQwnH8th_fs" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j4dKVB_IJScDEJdTU_Q00MwUiKhJquZKPC2lWnI8mut29cv6Ku9sv0_udpy3S-UVDYhIngyQULF_nQ9IzeRa0pMWUrT0oJj25EctUN7UHHn-4-jovy7eLLBb4grsZwWFIl3W/s16000/BP+-+Job.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-31247138032308489022021-04-25T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-25T04:30:00.380-05:00He Shared Our Humanity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5CcceMs2Lr-rQu1gX1wF8dxhyfu1j_bKxvCK_-nUoN7fPp9316aamT407fuR15QnNnRExFNSUIaV7naIvD7r-caa3NWvhECWiWVY6WHon6mnd275U8qxx6_-Lp50kAgWsiph/s1600/DNA+Illustration.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5CcceMs2Lr-rQu1gX1wF8dxhyfu1j_bKxvCK_-nUoN7fPp9316aamT407fuR15QnNnRExFNSUIaV7naIvD7r-caa3NWvhECWiWVY6WHon6mnd275U8qxx6_-Lp50kAgWsiph/s320/DNA+Illustration.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201:1-3:26&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job 1:1-3:26</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:1-18&version=NIV">Hebrews 2:1-18</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:169-176&version=NIV">Psalm 119:169-176</a></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Hebrews 2:14-15</span></span><br />
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29976" style="font-style: italic;">14</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Since
the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so
that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that
is, the devil— </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29977" style="font-style: italic;">15 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
In
Jesus, through the incarnation, God shares our humanity. Jesus suffered
death, in order to destroy the power of death. Jesus, the only human
being not guilty of sin, or bound by death, willingly laid down his life
in order to free the rest of us from our fear and bondage to death.<br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
I
will put my trust and hope in Jesus. I will praise and thank God for
the great deliverance Christ Jesus has made possible by sharing in our
humanity––destroying death's power and grip on me through his sinless
death. I will live with hope and purpose and joy, believing that Jesus
is the resurrection and the life. I will live today in the confidence
that I have eternal life in Jesus. I will encourage others to take hold
of eternal life through faith in Jesus.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">I
will rejoice in you, O God. You are my salvation and my strength. I
bless and thank you, Lord, because you are a God of deliverance -- the
escape from death belongs to you. Even when walking in the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. You are
worthy of my praise, my life, my all. Because you have freed me from
death, I will live for you. Amen.</span><br />
<span style="color: #996633;"><br /></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">1 Corinthians 15:55-57</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">55
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But
thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Resurrection-Risen-Christ-Everyday/dp/157683929X/sr=1-7/qid=1172173103/ref=sr_1_7/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in an Everyday Life</b></a><br />
by Eugene Peterson</span><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-75895221779605442042021-04-24T18:00:00.026-05:002021-04-24T18:00:00.258-05:00READING SCHEDULE: APR 25 - MAY 1<p><b><a href="https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html" target="_blank">READING SCHEDULE & HELPS</a><br /></b></p><b>SUNDAY<br />Job 1:1-3:26<br />Hebrews 2:1-18<br />Psalm 119:169-176<br /><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/xQwnH8th_fs" target="_blank">BIBLE PROJECT OVERVIEW: JOB</a><br /><br />MONDAY<br />Job 4:1-7:21<br />Hebrews 3:1-19<br />Psalm 120:1-7<br /><br />TUESDAY <br />Job 8:1-11:20<br />Hebrews 4:1-16<br />Psalm 121:1-8<br /><br />WEDNESDAY <br />Job 12:1-15:35<br />Hebrews 5:1-14<br />Psalm 122:1-9<br /><br />THURSDAY <br />Job 16:1-19:29<br />Hebrews 6:1-20<br />Psalm 123:1-4<br /><br />FRIDAY <br />Job 20:1-22:30<br />Hebrews 7:1-17<br />Psalm 124:1-8<br /><br />SATURDAY <br />Job 23:1-27:23<br />Hebrews 7:18-28<br />Psalm 125:1-5</b> <br /><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>IMPORTANT NEWS FOR USEFUL BREATH SUBSCRIBERS: </b></span><br />As of Sunday May 9, the Useful Breath daily blog posts will be coming to an end. You are encouraged to visit <a href="https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html">https://www.valleycc.org/bible-helps.html</a> to find new resources to help you with reading and understanding scripture. </p><p>I’ve been posting this blog every day since October 2006. My hope is that is has served as a help and encouragement to the many readers who have joined me over the years. Thanks for your support and participation. </p><p>Dave Burkum</p><p>PS - I'd like to turn the blog into a two-year daily devotional. We'll see if that happens. :-) <br /></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-34948947371604625572021-04-24T04:30:00.001-05:002021-04-24T04:30:00.236-05:00The Radiance of God's Glory<p><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnawbXmgID8MSkKHTEcmC7gXeqZ88YeC9Bk2b0gt34_do95MX-ALzmAcJ6qEXlake_IGhP5Wea_olpxF6Kl_ywvvlJuMdjMxA39-sX9YasVDLX-3P1FCajVlv62S4Q_m0FhKke/s1600/SinaiPantokrator.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598048717464756354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnawbXmgID8MSkKHTEcmC7gXeqZ88YeC9Bk2b0gt34_do95MX-ALzmAcJ6qEXlake_IGhP5Wea_olpxF6Kl_ywvvlJuMdjMxA39-sX9YasVDLX-3P1FCajVlv62S4Q_m0FhKke/s320/SinaiPantokrator.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%208:1-10:3&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Esther 8:1-10:3</span></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201:1-14&version=NIV">Hebrews 1:1-14</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:161-168&version=NIV">Psalm 119:161-168</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Hebrews 1:1-4</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29949" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">1 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29950" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">2 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">but
in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed
heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29951" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">3</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> The
Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his
being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in
heaven. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29952" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">4</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Hebrews
begins with a glorious description of the Son of God. He is the
prophetic voice of God. He is "the radiance of God's glory." He is the
"exact representation of God's being." He is the one who is "sustaining
all things by his powerful word." He is the one who provides
"purification for sins." He is seated "at the right hand of the Majesty
in heaven" and is "superior to the angels."<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The deity
and supremacy of Jesus the Christ are not the wishful ideas and
inventions of Christians three or four centuries down the line. No, the <span style="font-style: italic;">earliest</span> Christians
were totally convinced that Jesus was the divine Son of God. The book
of Hebrews was written in the last half of the first century (probably
around 80 A.D.).<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
I
will look to Jesus to understand the truth of God. Jesus is the
embodiment of God's divine radiance. My faith is in Jesus. He is the one
who is able to make purification for my sin. He is the one who is able
to sustain me.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">I
believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ; the only begotten of the Father; God
from God, Light from Light, True God from True God; begotten, not made;
through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came
down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate
from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake, he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death, and was buried. On the third
day he rose again, in accordance with the Scripture. He ascended into
heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come
again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will
have no end. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Matthew 16:13-17</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, </span><span class="woj" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">14</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">15</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="woj" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">“But what about you?”</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> he asked. </span><span class="woj" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">“Who do you say I am?” </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">16</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">17</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Jesus replied, </span><span class="woj" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-according-Scripture-Restoring-Portrait/dp/080102370X/sr=1-1/qid=1172116430/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">Jesus According to Scripture: Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels</b></a><br />
by Darrell L. Bock</span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-6871281333913439272021-04-23T18:30:00.001-05:002021-04-23T18:30:00.237-05:00BIBLE PROJECT OVERVIEW: HEBREWS<p><a href="https://youtu.be/1fNWTZZwgbs" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW...</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1fNWTZZwgbs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYSS9dNRzV2qu7_yUJ7hKfS7aemuVVpJ-2IOW17h0sWFKY3QvdJ2TzWLqiRzJjcnWd2jHC67HTqwHZ7Jbthu1IPnyeDlkKZ6ICNouPUjgxiXciKXHcClQOHPeAZbqQk5ZuQz4/s16000/BP+-+Hebrews.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-23206120891344672002021-04-23T04:30:00.002-05:002021-04-23T04:30:00.248-05:00For a Time Like This<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2daN_rAOY-IkszKnYnj3n5HD2XS0VEY-ZRYe9Fa04cD-SZAkYjgOa8OGbcWIRb9WuEWaVwTzSwNyTNuM-bXV8udm-vs0Rbm_n4qd0N35noYw0sPV3s1YdqAzOK52zQk5dAOxU/s1600/Esther_Queen.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2daN_rAOY-IkszKnYnj3n5HD2XS0VEY-ZRYe9Fa04cD-SZAkYjgOa8OGbcWIRb9WuEWaVwTzSwNyTNuM-bXV8udm-vs0Rbm_n4qd0N35noYw0sPV3s1YdqAzOK52zQk5dAOxU/s1600/Esther_Queen.jpg" width="175" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%204:1-7:10&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Esther 4:1-7:10</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philemon%201:1-25&version=NIV">Philemon 1:1-25</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:153-160&version=NIV">Psalm 119:153-160</a></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Esther 4:12-14</span></span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-20617" style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-12775" style="font-style: italic;">12</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-12776" style="font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-12777" style="font-style: italic;">14</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> For
if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews
will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will
perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a
time as this?"</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><br />
When
Esther was swept up in the Persian court officials’ search for a new
queen, Mordecai must have been mortified. Why would God allow a young
daughter of Abraham to be drawn into circumstances so abhorrent to
devout Jews? But later, when Haman's plan to destroy and oppress the
Jews became known, Mordecai could see a good reason for God to allow
Esther's situation. "Your opportunity to speak up for the Jews might
just be the very reason you have come to your royal position," he told
her.<br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><br />
It's
good for me to consider the ways God may be at work in the details of
my daily life. My whole perception of my circumstances is changed by
asking, "How could God use this to accomplish his good purpose?"<br />
<br />
Which of the conversations, opportunities, relationships, responsibilities, or problems of my <span style="font-style: italic;">today</span> will be used by God for some greater purpose <span style="font-style: italic;">tomorrow</span>?
I don’t know, and because I don’t, I will commit every detail of my
life to God, always remembering that small details in God's hand have
big possibilities. Maybe I was born for what is happening around me
right now!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">O
God, help me to delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the
glory of your name. Open my eyes to your presence and work in my life.
Give me the faith to see how you can use my words, my relationships, and
my struggles. Open my mind to the possibilities and reasons you have
for me at my workplace, in my home, around my neighborhood, in my
family, and in my church. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633;"><br /></span><span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Philippians 1:12-14</span><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29358" style="font-style: italic;">12 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29359" style="font-style: italic;">13</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29360" style="font-style: italic;">14 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Because
of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to
speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830833803/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><b class="sans">Serious Times: Making Your Life Matter in an Urgent Day</b></a><br />
by James Emery White</span>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-40428074130513187622021-04-22T18:30:00.001-05:002021-04-22T18:30:00.243-05:00BIBLE PROJECT OVERVIEW: PHILEMON<p><a href="https://youtu.be/aW9Q3Jt6Yvk" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW...</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/aW9Q3Jt6Yvk" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev8XB0iRsdh_TkNW9IT_LRcWtGr2VqZUpBJs0qQvd67cQrj9L9pE1tnkaesF7HmAIesO-l0r4kT81Hh2ygscd87KLzI0coStm0-5aJseQPcN0TPRjxVPCxryEBcfmI6_oR-2W/s16000/BP+-+Philemon.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-51627089530175925632021-04-22T04:30:00.002-05:002021-04-22T04:30:00.210-05:00Avoid Foolish Arguments<p><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ak3AXmFGQSHK_DwN4kaM2qewebtsVLEoBkqwz882c-zkCzMtPqhdyzv0Lcwwt74ec4fJBOzagPpffGbMbcgbXL0ypeb1MKNsviCnNlDcMA_njW0dEIsfQj_sJTdaFRU052ej/s1600/Debate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ak3AXmFGQSHK_DwN4kaM2qewebtsVLEoBkqwz882c-zkCzMtPqhdyzv0Lcwwt74ec4fJBOzagPpffGbMbcgbXL0ypeb1MKNsviCnNlDcMA_njW0dEIsfQj_sJTdaFRU052ej/s320/Debate.png" width="233" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Reading:</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%209:22-10:18&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%201:1-3:15&version=NIV"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Esther 1:1-3:15</span></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%203:1-15&version=NIV">Titus 3:1-15</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:12-22&version=NIV"><br /></a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:145-152&version=NIV">Psalm 119:145-152</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #996633;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;">Click on Text Link to Read Online</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Focus Verses:</span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> Titus 3:9-11</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29917" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">9</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> But
avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels
about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29918" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">10</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. </span><span class="sup" id="en-NIV-29919" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">11 </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Insight:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Being
argumentative is dangerous and divisive. It’s one thing to ask hard
questions, to reason through disagreements, and to think through
important issues. It's another thing altogether to be quarrelsome and
nitpicky about things that are of questionable value.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
An
unhealthy interest in controversy is usually indicative of
self-centeredness and pride. It is sinful and distorted to value your
own opinions (and the sound of your own voice) over the people with whom
you disagree. People who stir up controversy over unimportant and
unknowable things are hurting themselves and those associated with them.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Response and Action:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
I
want to avoid foolish and stupid arguments. When there is an issue or
controversy that is important to me, I will strive to discuss it and
handle it in humble and respectful ways. I will not value my opinions
over people, but will instead exercise thoughtful restraint. I will be
careful to listen and interact respectfully in a genuine effort to
understand.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
I will recognize and remember that some
things are not important enough to argue about. I will not discuss
difficult issues with people who are unable to do so without being
threatened and upset. I will not let unimportant things become quarrels
that hurt and divide.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">O
God, show me your ways. Guide me in your truth and teach me. Give me a
humble spirit so that I can be teachable. Give me sensitivity and care
for others that I might be able to discuss important and difficult
things in constructive and loving ways. Amen.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Formation Verses:<span style="color: #996633; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">Philippians 2:14-16a</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #996633; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">14</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> Do everything without complaining or arguing, </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">15</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> so
that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault
in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in
the universe </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">16a</span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> as you hold out the word of life<span style="font-style: italic;">..."</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830811869/ref=nosim/intervarsityp-20"><br /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Talking-About-Good-Without-Getting/dp/0830832688/sr=1-1/qid=1171938992/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><b class="sans">Talking About Good And Bad Without Getting Ugly</b></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-You-When-Ones-Looking/dp/0877849455/sr=1-1/qid=1171859650/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1117322-3360036?ie=UTF8&s=books"><br /></a>by Paul Chamberlain</span></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443167.post-65922101345164143852021-04-21T18:30:00.001-05:002021-04-21T18:30:00.235-05:00BIBLE PROJECT OVERVIEW: ESTHER<p><a href="https://youtu.be/JydNSlufRIs" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE BELOW...</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/JydNSlufRIs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LoZ2RVb_RYVWVdp6wCjsj5oxm_yYzjSpNLOIavjAlcqKK8lG88xQ6UXqWlQjMzZWDEYkx_JT12U3OjvCIdCtcJxkIjYO9IlRqT6leBLYcBPr3bh_tyhORXI5PvqoVShCKRh_/s16000/BP+-+Esther.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dave Burkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915136880489138506noreply@blogger.com0