Isaiah 7-9; Proverbs 21:22-31

Friday's Bible Reading: Isaiah 7-9; Proverbs 21:22-31

Isaiah 4-6; Proverbs 21:11-21

Thursday's Bible Reading: Isaiah 4-6; Proverbs 21:11-21

Last night I finished writing an ODB about Meijer Gardens and the teamwork between God and man required to make such a beautiful place. Humans can plant seeds, but only God can make them grow.

Then this morning, the prophet Isaiah used a gardening metaphor to remind me of the holy seed planted in the land to be raised at a future time. At the very end of today's often used (and frequently misused) passage of Scripture is this verse:

And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land. —Isaiah 6:13

Isaiah later elaborated on the seed from this stump: "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit " (11:1; click here to read more of Isaiah 11).

Christians believe the seed is Jesus, a descendant from the stump of Jesse (Matthew 1:5-6), the firstfruits from this holy seed:

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. —1 Corinthians 15:20-23

Paul said of this fruit, "if the root is holy, so are the branches" (Romans 11:16). Click here to read more of this chapter.

All of this brought to mind one of my favorite songs, which I sometimes refer to as the song of the wild flute. Don't skip this. It's the best part of today's blog: Click here to hear Steve McConnell sing "First Fruits." It will bless your day.

After listening to this song several times, I received an email from aish.com telling me that this week's Torah portion has to do with First Fruits. Amazing! Click here to listen.

Isaiah 1-3; Proverbs 21:1-10

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Isaiah 1-3; Proverbs 21:1-10

Riddle: What is heavy for God when it's empty for me? Click here for the answer.

Last night we went to hear my friend Ralston Bowles and his friends perform in the amphitheater at Meijer Gardens. It was a fabulous evening. Here's a short video clip of Ralston singing "Begging the Question," © Ralston Bowles. The song will be on his new CD, due out in December or January. Click here to visit Ralston's website.



After hearing Ralston's song, I recalled an ODB I had written quite some time ago titled "Whose Side Is God On?" I checked on the status of it and learned that it had been rejected, so I decided that I would rewrite it to post here. After rewriting it, however, I thought maybe I had addressed the reasons that it had been previously rejected so I resubmitted it. The editor likes it now, so it's heading back to the evaluation committee.

As so often happens, the timing is worth noting. The reading in Proverbs today includes this verse:

"All a man's ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs the heart. " (21:2)

And the reading from Isaiah indicates whose side God is on . . .

Stop doing wrong,
learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow. (1:16-17)

Song of Songs 7-8; Proverbs 20:21-30

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Song of Songs 7-8; Proverbs 20:21-30

Christianity Today's daily newsletter is taking a poll. Their question today is "What's your response to Michael Vick saying he 'found Jesus'?" They offer these options as answers:

• Great! I'm so happy he's become a Christian.
• "I found Jesus" is the new "I'm going to rehab"; I'm not impressed.
• I'm skeptical, but hopeful that this experience will bring him to Jesus.
• I'm disgusted that he'd try to play the "God card."
• Other

Click here for my answer.

The test of Vick's sincerity is not what he says today; it's the direction he takes from here on. As Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me," (Mark 8:34 KJV).

Further, as John writes in his final revelation, "the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely," (Revelation 22:17 KJV). Click here to hear this passage set to music by Marty Goetz.

The truth is, it really doesn't matter what I think or what anyone else thinks:

The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man;
it searches out his inmost being. —Proverbs 20:27

Song of Songs 4-6; Proverbs 20:11-20

Monday's Bible Reading: Song of Songs 4-6; Proverbs 20:11-20

Psalms 102-104

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 102-104

The smell from last night lingers, though significantly diminished. It's still very strong in the garage. Jay opened the garage doors, moved out the cars, and opened the car windows to air things out. Who knows what we will smell like by the time we get to church.

. . .

If we smelled bad, no one told us. And worship this morning made us forget last night's stench. We were led by Keith and Kristyn Getty. (Click here to hear clips of their music.) Their "style" of worship provides ample evidence that the debate between contemporary and traditional worship is bogus. As I've been saying for years, the issue is not contemporary vs. traditional; it's excellence vs. sloppiness. (See "Giving God Our Best.") True worship is not generational. It doesn't exclude people of certain ages; it includes people of all ages. It transcends style preferences because it includes three essential elements: truth, beauty, love. Truth for the mind, beauty for the heart and soul, and love for God and others. Love binds us all together in unity because everyone feels valued, respected, and cared for. Scripture is clear that we are not to be "respecters of persons." We are not to prefer the rich over the poor; nor are we to prefer one generation over another. Each is just as important as the other. I wish everyone could have heard our "traditional" church singing with great gusto the Gettys' "contemporary" hymns yesterday.

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

May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD. —Psalm 104:33-34

Worship is a dialogue, not a monologue. As the preacher brings God's Words of instruction and edification down to the people, the worship leader ushers the people's words of praise up to God. To neglect or undervalue either is to compromise the well being of the church.

At our service yesterday, both happened. Praise God.

Jim's sermon title was "Life in Christ: Working for God." Click here to listen. The Scripture text was Colossians 3:22–4:1:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

In Scripture, the word translated "heart" (above in bold), is more often translated "soul," including the words of Jesus in the Greatest Commandment:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. —Mark 12:30

The Greek word is psuche, and it means "breath," or "vital force which animates the body."

We ended our day in Grand Haven, where Peder Eide was performing at Worship on the Waterfront. On the sidelines we witnessed a wonderful illustration of worshiping with all your soul. See for yourself . . .

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name. —Psalm 103:1

Philippians 1-4; Proverbs 20:1-10

Saturday's Bible Reading: Philippians 1-4; Proverbs 20:1-10

[T]he gifts you sent . . . are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. —Philippians 4:18

Rather than a "fragrant offering," we were visited tonight by a strong odor that I can only describe as the combination of a frightened skunk, burning garbage, and leaking gasoline.

What happened is kind of sketchy, but about 10 p.m. Maggie came downstairs with something urgent on her mind. Usually this means that she has to go outside to do business. But instead of trying to get my attention, she went to all the corners of my office as if she was trying to get away from something. Then I smelled it. The stench described above. I hurried upstairs to determine the source. Jay was on the porch reading. Nothing was burning. But the smell was everywhere. I brought him downstairs. We tried to locate the place where it was strongest.

Our noses led us to Maggie. "You know," he said, bending down to sniff her fur, "she went after something in the woods when I took her out, but I pulled her back. I didn't think she had time to get into anything."

Well, apparently she did, and it was foul! She had the look of guilt to go with the smell. Ears flat. Eyes big. Head lowered. She knew something was wrong, but she didn't know how to make it right. We were about to tell her, but she didn't want to hear it. She tried hiding, but there was no hiding that smell! She just spread it to the rest of the house. We finally got her into the garage and into a tub of water. Jay scrubbed her while I washed her bedding and sprayed the house with room deodorizer and Febreeze.

It's better now. I think we'll be able to sleep.

Poor Maggie. Her experience brought to mind the times I've tried to get away from something unpleasant, not realizing that the unpleasantness was me.

Even being on a leash doesn't keep us out of trouble all of the time.

Song of Songs 1-3; Proverbs 19:16-29

Friday's Bible Reading: Song of Songs 1-3; Proverbs 19:16-29

Busy night last night. I made personal appearances in at least two dreams.

First thing this morning I got an email from Paul H telling me that I had invaded his sleep last night. He said I had taken up smoking. When he asked me about it I told him not to worry because it was only marijuana.

I also showed up in Jay's dream. He lost his plane ticket to Hawaii and was very upset that I had gone on without him. The dream was so real that he wanted me to discuss it with him for the next half hour. Thankfully I had not yet gone to sleep, but I was trying to watch news about the thunderstorms rolling through town so I wasn't very cooperative. It seemed kind of silly to have to explain why I left without him when I was still in bed beside him. Weird!

Apparently I should have paid more attention to an email I got on Wednesday. Publisher's Weekly Religion BookLine included an interview with Rodger Kamenetz about his forthcoming book [October 2007] The History of Last Night's Dream: Discovering the Hidden Path to the Soul.

This afternoon there was a tornado east of us near Potterville. Here's a link to a video showing the damage: Aerials of Potterville storm damage.

Ecclesiastes 10-12; Proverbs 19:1-15

Thursday's Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Proverbs 19:1-15

This is where I had devotions this morning.



This is my first video posting. Hopefully I'll become more creative as I gain more experience.

Ecclesiastes 7-9; Proverbs 18:13-24

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Proverbs 18:13-24

Ecclesiastes 4-6; Proverbs 18:1-12

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Proverbs 18:1-12

Ecclesiastes 1-3; Proverbs 17:15-28

Monday's Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Proverbs 17:15-28

Psalms 99-101

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 99-101



Today's Sermon: "Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering," by Ed Dobson. Click here to listen.



Ed's sermon was timely in that we just finished reading the book of Job on Friday.

Ephesians 1-6; Proverbs 17:1-14

Saturday's Bible Reading: Ephesians 1-6; Proverbs 17:1-14

Job 40-42; Proverbs 16:22-33

Friday's Bible Reading: Job 40-42; Proverbs 16:22-33

Job 37-39; Proverbs 16:12-21

Thursday's Bible Reading: Job 37-39; Proverbs 16:12-21

Job 34-36; Proverbs 16:1-11

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Job 34-36; Proverbs 16:1-11

Job 31-33; Proverbs 15:22-33

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Job 31-33; Proverbs 15:22-33

Job 28-30; Proverbs 15:12-21

Monday's Bible Reading: Job 28-30; Proverbs 15:12-21

As you read Job 28 today, pray for the six Utah coal miners and their families. As of today, the miners have been trapped for one week. Rescue attempts continue, but so far the men have not been found.

In this passage, precious stones and metals are the treasures hidden deep within the earth. In today's economy, it's precious fuel that we dig and drill for. Energy is our "driving" need and "consuming" desire. We crave that which will take us anywhere but where we are.

1 "There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.

2 Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.

3 Man puts an end to the darkness;
he searches the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.

4 Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft,
in places forgotten by the foot of man;
far from men he dangles and sways.

5 The earth, from which food comes,
is transformed below as by fire;

6 sapphires ^[a] come from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.

7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon's eye has seen it.

8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.

9 Man's hand assaults the flinty rock
and lays bare the roots of the mountains.

10 He tunnels through the rock;
his eyes see all its treasures.

11 He searches ^[b] the sources of the rivers
and brings hidden things to light.

12 "But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?

13 Man does not comprehend its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, 'It is not in me';
the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed in silver.

16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or sapphires.

17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.

20 "Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?

21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds of the air.

22 Destruction ^[c] and Death say,
'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'

23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,

24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.

25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,

26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,

27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.

28 And he said to man,
'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.' "

Psalms 96-98

Sunday Bible Reading: Psalms 96-98

Galatians 1-6; Proverbs 16:1-11

Saturday's Bible Reading: Galatians 1-6; Proverbs 16:1-11

Job 25-27; Proverbs 14:25-35

Friday's Bible Reading: Job 25-27; Proverbs 14:25-35

Job 22-24; Proverbs 14:12-24

Thursday's Bible Reading: Job 22-24; Proverbs 14:12-24

Job 19-21; Proverbs 14:1-11

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Job 19-21; Proverbs 14:1-11

Job 16-18; Proverbs 13:13-25

Tuesday's Bible Reading: Job 16-18; Proverbs 13:13-25

On August 7, 1771, Francis Asbury offered to leave England and go to America to help struggling American believers.

Job 13-15; Proverbs 13:1-12

Monday's Bible Reading: Job 13-15; Proverbs 13:1-12

Psalms 93-95

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 93-95

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved. —Psalm 93:1

When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul. —Psalm94:18-19

2 Corinthians 10-13; Proverbs 12:15-28

Saturday's Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 10-13; Proverbs 12:15-28

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. —2 Corinthians 11:30

I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. —2 Corinthians 12:5

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. —2 Corinthians 12:7-10

[Christ] is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you. —2 Corinthians 13:3-4

Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. —2 Corinthians 13:11

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but joy for those who promote peace. —Proverbs 12:20

Job 10-12; Proverbs 12:1-14

Friday's Bible Reading: Job 10-12; Proverbs 12:1-14

Job 7-9; Proverbs 11:22-31

Thursday's Bible Reading: Job 7-9; Proverbs 11:22-31

Job 4-6; Proverbs 11:12-21

Wednesday's Bible Reading: Job 4-6; Proverbs 11:12-21

Click here to read John Piper's comments on the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Piper's church, Bethlehem Baptist, is located within sight of the bridge.