My Daily Pause

Category: Devotional

  • The Challenge of Sharing the Gospel

    The difficulties in bringing the Gospel to others in today’s climate is nothing new. The boldness that seems to have suddenly grown among notable scientists and other “educated” people to rule against the Bible as a factual document might seem edgy and groundbreaking, but Paul was dealing with the same thing in his day.

    The Apostle Paul - Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)
    The Apostle Paul – Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)

    A number of scientific theories and ideas have taken hold and are discussed as facts. These are even ideas that conflict with established scientific laws and definitions. Even though it takes more faith to believe in these theories due to the inherent problems with them than it does to believe in the Bible, the world is choosing poorly. Other than the miracles which operated outside of scientific explanation, (they were miracles after all) the Bible has never been discredited by science, archeology or mathematics.

    The prospect of going into Rome might have been a daunting prospect for Paul, but he reassures his brothers there (and us today) that he is not afraid to share the Gospel. (Romans 1:16-17) Why? Because it contains salvation! The Gospel is the sum total of:

    • Facts we need to believe
    • Commandments we need to be obey
    • Promises we need to accept

    The Bible has been placed under more examination, duress, attack, study, commentary than any other document in history and it still stands. A guide for life, love, and security.

    Perhaps we should be try harder to be bold like Paul.

    Daily Bible reading for October 4

    Psalm 64
    2 Samuel 24
    Ezekiel 25
    Romans 1:1-17

  • Saving Our Enemies

    As Jesus was tried and his life taken, (Luke 23) we know the world became a different place. Changes were coming to the Lord’s kingdom, but what did not change was the basic groundwork that Christ laid while he was here.

    As he went through being tried seven time for false charges, he demonstrated great strength and faced his enemies just as he taught us. The first words he spoke on the cross were even for their benefit. (Luke 23:34)

    It is a difficult thing to do, but treating our enemies a certain way is part of being the image of God. From the beginning Jesus taught us to give our enemies:

    • the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)
    • our cloak (Matthew 5:40)
    • an extra mile (Matthew 5:41)
    • what he asks for (Matthew 5:42)
    • what he borrows (Matthew 5:42)

    Not only is it Christ-like to treat our enemies this way, it is our responsibility to try to get the Gospel to them. What better way to prove we are not like the world than to treat them in an unexpected way?

    Daily Bible reading for October 2

    Psalm 62
    2 Samuel 22:1-23:7
    Ezekiel 23
    Luke 23:26-56

  • Proof

    Did you ever notice that when Jesus put the guy’s ear back on, no one seemed to notice? (Well ok, I’m sure the servant noticed.) (Luke 22:50-51)

    The Jewish leaders were so intent on finding “proof” of his blasphemy, that they ignored the proof that Jesus was the Messiah.

    Seems like there is a lot of that still going on.

    Daily Bible reading for October 1

    Psalm 61
    2 Samuel 21
    Ezekiel 22
    Luke 22:47-23:25

  • Christ-like Prayers

    As we look in on the last prayer that Jesus offered before being taken prisoner, (Luke 22:39-46) we can see that the priorities he taught still held up:

    • He made sure his disciples were taken care of, (Luke 22:40)
    • He asked for God’s will to be done
    • Only then did he ask for relief from what was before him.

    To offer prayers in a Christ-like manner is to be continually prayerful and to put ourselves last. Most often it is more appropriate to pray for the strength to face what is going to happen than to pray for it not to happen.

    As a challenge to yourself, try spending the day in a prayerful manner but not asking for anything for yourself. A great place to start is to pray for the benefit of others and for the Lord’s kingdom.

    Daily Bible reading for September 30

    Psalm 60
    2 Samuel 20
    Ezekiel 21
    Luke 22:1-46

  • Jesus Schools the Sadducees

    When the Sadducees challenged Jesus about the resurrection, (Luke 20:27-40) they had the same characteristics of those who teach false doctrine and those who don’t even believe in God.

    Jesus teaching in the Temple, from the book Standard Bible Story Readers, Book Five (1928) Authors O. A. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland
    Jesus teaching in the Temple, from the book Standard Bible Story Readers, Book Five (1928) Authors O. A. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland
    • They made up a ridiculous situation (even if it was possible)
    • They were setting out to trap the believer
    • They were using Scripture out of context
    • They had no response when they received an informed answer

    So much of what those that believe in error and nonbelievers think can be attributed to a pure lack of study. No matter what category of wrong people fall into, they are all guilty of not giving honest effort to trying to find the truth.

    In the parallel account of this event, (Mathew 22:22-33) Matthew records Jesus calling it like it is:

    You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. – Matthew 22:29

    As a whole, the Jews got caught up in all the lore and procedure and forgot to study their Scriptures. No wonder they didn’t understand everything the Lord came to teach!

    When we decide not to give God’s word enough study, we lose our opportunity to save some of these folks from the same fate. So many people that claim to not believe justify it behind ridiculous scenarios like the Sadducees did.

    Most importantly … Let’s study more so we don’t fall into the same trap!

    Daily Bible reading for September 28

    Psalm 58
    2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
    Ezekiel 19
    Luke 19:47-20:44

  • Helping Jesus Triumph

    Flevit super illam (He wept over it) 1892 - Enrique Simonet (1866–1927)
    Flevit super illam (He wept over it) 1892 – Enrique Simonet (1866–1927)

    From the time of Jesus’ triumphal entry (Luke 19:37) until his crucifixion, the Pharisees were able to turn the crowd against Jesus. In less than a week, nearly everyone was influenced and mobilized against him.

    Turning the crowd’s attitude seems to be pretty easy:

    • We have seen lots of laws passed in the last few years that that would have never been considered before.
    • We see attitudes and actions being praised that would have ruined careers in previous generations.
    • We are giving away rights and responsibilities that many before us died over.

    The formula is straight-forward:

    • Plant an idea.
    • Talk about it.
    • Live it.
    • Repeat.

    I believe we still have enough devoted Christians to do the same thing they did.

    But someone has to start.

    Daily Bible reading for September 27

    Psalm 57
    2 Samuel 16:15-17:23
    Ezekiel 18
    Luke 19:28-46