Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Note: I will be taking off tomorrow and Friday to be with my family. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Doug Mead, Parenting Solo
Scripture: Psalm 107:1 (The Message) Oh, thank God – he’s so good! His love never runs out.
“Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience.
“Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”
.
William Bradford
Ye Governor of Ye Colony
The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Mass., in December 1620 after being blown off course from their original destination of the Virginia Colony. The Mayflower planted 102 English travelers, mostly Pilgrims who left England because of religious persecution.
Nearly three years later, half the original group of Pilgrims had died, yet Bradford felt it was important to gather everyone together and celebrate. Bradford was thankful for the bountiful harvest of vegetables and an abundance of nearby game and fish.
Fast forward to 2008. Our economy is reeling, unemployment is continues to rise, we have a new presidential administration offering up “change,” soldiers are still in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fear and indifference grip our nation. What shall we do? Do as William Bradford did, and focus on the positive. Let us really give thanks tomorrow, the way the original Pilgrims did, who invited the native Americans over to join the celebration. Bradford gave thanks first to his maker, then gave to his neighbors. We should follow that simple premise tomorrow and every day after. We aren’t celebrating Thankstaking Day.
This year, I choose to give thanks and not wallow in self-pity for what I don’t have. I am thankful that I married a wonderful woman 18 months ago, I have a job that is challenging, I have a home (though it is small), I have good relationships with my son and step-son, I am debt-free for the first time in years, I have good health (after disc surgery and chronic back pain for more than 20 years), I am getting good grades in my return to school to acquire an education degree (two B’s this semester), and the golf team I coach at Berean is on the rise and may win a few prizes this year. I have much to be thankful for.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me an abundant life. You have blessed me richly. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 163
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Go and sin no more
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 8:3-5 (The Message) The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
We are always quick to point out the flaws of others, to judge, to condemn. We gossip, quietly, in the corridors of our churches. When one person throws out an accusation, another comes out of the crowd, and perhaps another. Word travels fast among God’s people. Why is that? It’s as if when we bring out the sins of others, we feel better about our own weaknesses. “Hey, someone else has bigger sins than mine!”
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus, so they bring a woman caught in the act of adultery before him. Mind you, they have not brought the guilty man before him. The woman’s partner in sin also would have been eligible for the punishment of stoning, yet he is nowhere to be found. The Pharisees think they have Jesus cornered. They are hoping he will tell them to release her, so they can catch him in a heretical act. As usual, Jesus outsmarts them by telling them, “Sure, stone her. But the guy who is without sin should throw the first stone.” One by one, they quietly walk away, knowing that their sins are just as large, if not larger. I picture them mumbling as they walk away.
Jesus didn’t want a dead adulteress on his hands; he wanted a woman with a changed heart. Imagine being this woman. She thinks her time is up. The lump in her throat must have been the size of a golf ball, and she could hardly breathe. Had she been asked to speak out on her own behalf, would she have lied? Or would she have blamed the man, or would she have come up with an excuse why her sin was OK? Maybe she was just trying to feed her family, and she had no other job skills. We will never know, because Jesus absolved her of her sin. Imagine how she must have felt as her accusers walked away.
Then Jesus asks her if any of her accusers are still around. They have all gone, she tells him. Then he says something remarkable. Absolving her of her sin is not the key issue. That alone would make her feel good for a day or two. The key is telling her “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” (vs. 11). The forgiveness of sins is not what changes lives, though it often sets a person free to change her life. Stopping the sin – whether it be premarital sex, pornography, spending money you don’t have, an anger issue, a filthy mouth, or just a hard heart toward others – continuing the sin leads to death. Jesus offered her a way out of her troubles by first forgiving her, then setting her free by reminding her to leave her life of sin behind her.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help us to search our hearts and find that secret sin and put it out in the open. Help us to put our life of sin behind us. “Help us to go and sin no more.” Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 162
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 8:3-5 (The Message) The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
We are always quick to point out the flaws of others, to judge, to condemn. We gossip, quietly, in the corridors of our churches. When one person throws out an accusation, another comes out of the crowd, and perhaps another. Word travels fast among God’s people. Why is that? It’s as if when we bring out the sins of others, we feel better about our own weaknesses. “Hey, someone else has bigger sins than mine!”
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus, so they bring a woman caught in the act of adultery before him. Mind you, they have not brought the guilty man before him. The woman’s partner in sin also would have been eligible for the punishment of stoning, yet he is nowhere to be found. The Pharisees think they have Jesus cornered. They are hoping he will tell them to release her, so they can catch him in a heretical act. As usual, Jesus outsmarts them by telling them, “Sure, stone her. But the guy who is without sin should throw the first stone.” One by one, they quietly walk away, knowing that their sins are just as large, if not larger. I picture them mumbling as they walk away.
Jesus didn’t want a dead adulteress on his hands; he wanted a woman with a changed heart. Imagine being this woman. She thinks her time is up. The lump in her throat must have been the size of a golf ball, and she could hardly breathe. Had she been asked to speak out on her own behalf, would she have lied? Or would she have blamed the man, or would she have come up with an excuse why her sin was OK? Maybe she was just trying to feed her family, and she had no other job skills. We will never know, because Jesus absolved her of her sin. Imagine how she must have felt as her accusers walked away.
Then Jesus asks her if any of her accusers are still around. They have all gone, she tells him. Then he says something remarkable. Absolving her of her sin is not the key issue. That alone would make her feel good for a day or two. The key is telling her “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” (vs. 11). The forgiveness of sins is not what changes lives, though it often sets a person free to change her life. Stopping the sin – whether it be premarital sex, pornography, spending money you don’t have, an anger issue, a filthy mouth, or just a hard heart toward others – continuing the sin leads to death. Jesus offered her a way out of her troubles by first forgiving her, then setting her free by reminding her to leave her life of sin behind her.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help us to search our hearts and find that secret sin and put it out in the open. Help us to put our life of sin behind us. “Help us to go and sin no more.” Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 162
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Monday, November 24, 2008
Knowing the scriptures
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 7:16-19 (The Message) Jesus said, “What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test his teaching and know whether it’s from God or whether I’m making it up. A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn’t tamper with reality. It was Moses, wasn’t it, who gave you God’s law? But none of you are living it.”
Jesus had been teaching in Galilee during the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual event with the Jews. The people were arguing over whether Jesus was genuine or a fraud. The talk ranged from “He’s a good man” to “He’s selling us snake oil.” (vs. 12, 13) Jesus heard the quibbling and defended himself. The key to his defense was that he wasn’t trying to puff himself up, he was simply telling the truth from the Word Moses. Jesus was upset that few seemed to be living up to the law.
This is an apropos message for any pastor or teacher: Stick to the truth and don’t strut around promoting yourself, trying to make yourself look important. A humble teacher is the best kind in God’s eyes. Teachers and pastors who spend hours studying the word and looking for new and creative ways to teach pleases God. You don’t have to teach in front of an auditorium full of saints and sinners to honor God. Leading a Bible study in your living room is pleasing to God.
There is a simple way to determine if a pastor or teacher (or anyone for that matter) is using scriptures accurately. Does his message line up with what the Word says? Whether lessons come from the Old Testament or New Testament is irrelevant. What matters is that lessons agree with what scriptures say. The message must line up. One thing we can count on with the Bible is accuracy and consistency. Everything Jesus taught came from the teachings of Moses and the prophets. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can add the life of Christ in the New Testament to our studies.
The only way to know if someone is using scriptures accurately is to constantly be in the Word. That’s why God wants us to read and meditate on the Bible daily. With study comes wisdom and reverence for God. Reverence for God requires us to know scripture. A good, healthy Bible study necessitates people sharing their own knowledge. While it’s OK to say “This is what I think it means,” what is more important is what the author meant or God meant? Applying God’s word to our daily living means obedience, which is what God expects from us.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to honor you with knowing what scripture says. Help me open your Word every day and study it. Help me to know you more. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 161
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 7:16-19 (The Message) Jesus said, “What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test his teaching and know whether it’s from God or whether I’m making it up. A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn’t tamper with reality. It was Moses, wasn’t it, who gave you God’s law? But none of you are living it.”
Jesus had been teaching in Galilee during the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual event with the Jews. The people were arguing over whether Jesus was genuine or a fraud. The talk ranged from “He’s a good man” to “He’s selling us snake oil.” (vs. 12, 13) Jesus heard the quibbling and defended himself. The key to his defense was that he wasn’t trying to puff himself up, he was simply telling the truth from the Word Moses. Jesus was upset that few seemed to be living up to the law.
This is an apropos message for any pastor or teacher: Stick to the truth and don’t strut around promoting yourself, trying to make yourself look important. A humble teacher is the best kind in God’s eyes. Teachers and pastors who spend hours studying the word and looking for new and creative ways to teach pleases God. You don’t have to teach in front of an auditorium full of saints and sinners to honor God. Leading a Bible study in your living room is pleasing to God.
There is a simple way to determine if a pastor or teacher (or anyone for that matter) is using scriptures accurately. Does his message line up with what the Word says? Whether lessons come from the Old Testament or New Testament is irrelevant. What matters is that lessons agree with what scriptures say. The message must line up. One thing we can count on with the Bible is accuracy and consistency. Everything Jesus taught came from the teachings of Moses and the prophets. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can add the life of Christ in the New Testament to our studies.
The only way to know if someone is using scriptures accurately is to constantly be in the Word. That’s why God wants us to read and meditate on the Bible daily. With study comes wisdom and reverence for God. Reverence for God requires us to know scripture. A good, healthy Bible study necessitates people sharing their own knowledge. While it’s OK to say “This is what I think it means,” what is more important is what the author meant or God meant? Applying God’s word to our daily living means obedience, which is what God expects from us.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to honor you with knowing what scripture says. Help me open your Word every day and study it. Help me to know you more. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 161
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Friday, November 21, 2008
Food that sticks to you
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend. If you wish to be removed from this e-mail list, simply hit reply and write REMOVE in the subject line.
Scripture: John 6:27 (The Message) “Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by “God the Father to last.”
In my freshman Boys Health class, we are studying habits that determine our lifestyle. In the past few weeks, we have studied nutrition and fitness. Each week, we write down the positives and negatives of our habits. Some kids realize that by missing breakfast in the morning, they are sluggish until noon. Some kids see that they do not have any energy because they don’t exercise regularly or get enough sleep. The one habit I tried diligently to get them to stop was the drinking of energy drinks. Bad stuff.
Jesus has just spent all day teaching in a spacious meadow near Galilee . At the end of the day, his disciples count 5,000 men (so maybe as many as 15,000 including women and children), and they report back that the people have no food to eat. Jesus realizes he and his men have to feed everyone. Philip tells Jesus that the money they have in their treasury wouldn’t feed very many people. Peter finds a young boy who has five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus then performs a miracle by feeding everyone, with plenty of leftovers.
The next day, the crowd follows him by boats across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum . Jesus scolds them because they are just looking for another free meal. Instead, he warns them to feed their bodies with nourishment that will be longlasting. This kind of food, he reminds them, comes only from that which Jesus can provide. We spend far too much time looking for easy snacks that will get us through our day. We think too much short-term and not enough long-term.
How do we find food that sticks to you? It takes work, and it is not easy. It takes commitment to keep seeking the right kind of spiritual nourishment we need for our bodies to grow strong and healthy. Seeking Jesus is an every day thing, and there is no rote routine in place for us, such as what the Jews had with their daily rituals. What Jesus wants is for us to turn to him every day, from morning to night. And not just when we are needy or when God answers our prayers, but to wake up and praise him for another day, to appreciate the job you have that pays the bills, to sit down at a meal with your family and be thankful that we have food on the table, to open our Bibles and study who Jesus is, and to serve our neighbors who are in need. That is what God guarantees will last.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to seek you out today. Help me to thank you for the spiritual nourishment you give me daily. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 160
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 6:27 (The Message) “Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by “God the Father to last.”
In my freshman Boys Health class, we are studying habits that determine our lifestyle. In the past few weeks, we have studied nutrition and fitness. Each week, we write down the positives and negatives of our habits. Some kids realize that by missing breakfast in the morning, they are sluggish until noon. Some kids see that they do not have any energy because they don’t exercise regularly or get enough sleep. The one habit I tried diligently to get them to stop was the drinking of energy drinks. Bad stuff.
Jesus has just spent all day teaching in a spacious meadow near Galilee . At the end of the day, his disciples count 5,000 men (so maybe as many as 15,000 including women and children), and they report back that the people have no food to eat. Jesus realizes he and his men have to feed everyone. Philip tells Jesus that the money they have in their treasury wouldn’t feed very many people. Peter finds a young boy who has five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus then performs a miracle by feeding everyone, with plenty of leftovers.
The next day, the crowd follows him by boats across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum . Jesus scolds them because they are just looking for another free meal. Instead, he warns them to feed their bodies with nourishment that will be longlasting. This kind of food, he reminds them, comes only from that which Jesus can provide. We spend far too much time looking for easy snacks that will get us through our day. We think too much short-term and not enough long-term.
How do we find food that sticks to you? It takes work, and it is not easy. It takes commitment to keep seeking the right kind of spiritual nourishment we need for our bodies to grow strong and healthy. Seeking Jesus is an every day thing, and there is no rote routine in place for us, such as what the Jews had with their daily rituals. What Jesus wants is for us to turn to him every day, from morning to night. And not just when we are needy or when God answers our prayers, but to wake up and praise him for another day, to appreciate the job you have that pays the bills, to sit down at a meal with your family and be thankful that we have food on the table, to open our Bibles and study who Jesus is, and to serve our neighbors who are in need. That is what God guarantees will last.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to seek you out today. Help me to thank you for the spiritual nourishment you give me daily. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 160
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A full stomach
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 6:10-11 (The Message) Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.
With Jesus, there is always an abundance of food for the masses. He always has enough on hand to meet the needs of those around him. No matter what the circumstances, he is never short. People never walk away hungry. That day, those who were hungry were filled to their heart’s content. There was no excuse for anybody to walk away without a full belly.
If you have Jesus in your life, we don’t have the need to eat from any other plate. The question is, do we want to have a well-balanced life of Jesus? Or do we want to add a few supplements, from, say Depak Chopra or Oprah Winfrey. Or maybe we’ve gotten on a fitness craze and made a guru out of the latest pitch man or woman. God wants to be No. 1 in our life, and he is a jealous God of anything we put in front of him. Being physically fit and eating nutritiously is important, but God cares more about our spiritual health.
What in our lives are we turning into gods, possibly without us even knowing it? In Old Testament times, the God of Abraham had to fight for display space with the likes of Asherah, the sex goddess, and Baal, as well as hundreds if not thousands, of other false idols. Anything we make a God out of, whether it be alcohol, cigarettes, food, TV, pornography, work, toys or even our kids, competes with God. There isn’t room for anything else, other than God. If we partake of any other replacement, we will walk away hungry for more.
We may be starving for affection, for attention, for status, for material things, whatever. All of those things are in a skirmish for our time. The people who came to listen to Jesus speak had to stop and sit down before being fed. They had to slow down and relax for a little while. Jesus simply wanted people to take time out from their busy schedules to sit down with him and eat and drink. Every meal we eat should be treated as if Jesus were sitting right next to us. Next time you sit down for a meal, have a conversation with Jesus. You won’t walk away hungry.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to make it a priority to include you in my meal times. Help me to take the time to know you today. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 159
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 6:10-11 (The Message) Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.
With Jesus, there is always an abundance of food for the masses. He always has enough on hand to meet the needs of those around him. No matter what the circumstances, he is never short. People never walk away hungry. That day, those who were hungry were filled to their heart’s content. There was no excuse for anybody to walk away without a full belly.
If you have Jesus in your life, we don’t have the need to eat from any other plate. The question is, do we want to have a well-balanced life of Jesus? Or do we want to add a few supplements, from, say Depak Chopra or Oprah Winfrey. Or maybe we’ve gotten on a fitness craze and made a guru out of the latest pitch man or woman. God wants to be No. 1 in our life, and he is a jealous God of anything we put in front of him. Being physically fit and eating nutritiously is important, but God cares more about our spiritual health.
What in our lives are we turning into gods, possibly without us even knowing it? In Old Testament times, the God of Abraham had to fight for display space with the likes of Asherah, the sex goddess, and Baal, as well as hundreds if not thousands, of other false idols. Anything we make a God out of, whether it be alcohol, cigarettes, food, TV, pornography, work, toys or even our kids, competes with God. There isn’t room for anything else, other than God. If we partake of any other replacement, we will walk away hungry for more.
We may be starving for affection, for attention, for status, for material things, whatever. All of those things are in a skirmish for our time. The people who came to listen to Jesus speak had to stop and sit down before being fed. They had to slow down and relax for a little while. Jesus simply wanted people to take time out from their busy schedules to sit down with him and eat and drink. Every meal we eat should be treated as if Jesus were sitting right next to us. Next time you sit down for a meal, have a conversation with Jesus. You won’t walk away hungry.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to make it a priority to include you in my meal times. Help me to take the time to know you today. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 159
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Loving gently and forcefully
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 5:39-40 (The Message) (Jesus speaking) “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me. And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”
There is an old saying that Christianity “isn’t in the doing, it’s in the being.” Another words, all the things we do, seemingly, to please God isn’t working if who we are isn’t pleasing to God. So often, we get caught up in trying to look right that our hearts veer off course. Having our heads in the Bible, being seen at all the right prayer meetings and sitting in the center-aisle, second-row pew every Sunday – that is all important for the kingdom – but sometimes we get caught up in how we are seen and forget how to relate to people. We get caught up being busy for the Lord that we forget about serving the people who need Jesus most.
Jesus was always about doing the right thing for the right reason and not worrying about appearances. Our focus always needs to be about Jesus. Jesus is attractive in our lives, because his truth sets us free. It hurts to look in the mirror, because what we’ve done on our own isn’t always pretty. Jesus’ words always set us on the right path. Jesus was harsh with the Jews because their hearts had hardened and cared only about outward appearances. They added all those rules so they could appear being more holy than their neighbors. It became an unhealthy competition.
And along the way, they forgot about God. Yesterday, the Pharisees were angry at the lifetime cripple for picking up his bedroll and carrying it on the Sabbath. Instead of joyously celebrating with the man for his heeling, they found fault with his miracle. Those are the times we should be happy. Instead, we look for weaknesses in others and expose them so that we look better in the eyes of others. Who do you think the healed man followed after that day, Jesus or the Pharisees?
If Jesus were here today, he, indeed, would love the tree huggers and gay populace, but he also would be hated because he would stand up and hold people accountable for their sins. Jesus loved the sinner, but never tolerated their sin. He told the man lying by the swirling waters of Bethseda not to “return to a sinning life or something worse might happen (vs. 14).” Jesus didn’t just care about the man at that moment, he cared about his future. We can better love people through committed relationships, not by walking past someone we barely know and tell them about their sins. Jesus was both gentle and forceful in his actions. It only works when wrapped in love.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to be gentle and forceful at just the right times. Help me to seek you in all my relationships. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 158
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 5:39-40 (The Message) (Jesus speaking) “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me. And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”
There is an old saying that Christianity “isn’t in the doing, it’s in the being.” Another words, all the things we do, seemingly, to please God isn’t working if who we are isn’t pleasing to God. So often, we get caught up in trying to look right that our hearts veer off course. Having our heads in the Bible, being seen at all the right prayer meetings and sitting in the center-aisle, second-row pew every Sunday – that is all important for the kingdom – but sometimes we get caught up in how we are seen and forget how to relate to people. We get caught up being busy for the Lord that we forget about serving the people who need Jesus most.
Jesus was always about doing the right thing for the right reason and not worrying about appearances. Our focus always needs to be about Jesus. Jesus is attractive in our lives, because his truth sets us free. It hurts to look in the mirror, because what we’ve done on our own isn’t always pretty. Jesus’ words always set us on the right path. Jesus was harsh with the Jews because their hearts had hardened and cared only about outward appearances. They added all those rules so they could appear being more holy than their neighbors. It became an unhealthy competition.
And along the way, they forgot about God. Yesterday, the Pharisees were angry at the lifetime cripple for picking up his bedroll and carrying it on the Sabbath. Instead of joyously celebrating with the man for his heeling, they found fault with his miracle. Those are the times we should be happy. Instead, we look for weaknesses in others and expose them so that we look better in the eyes of others. Who do you think the healed man followed after that day, Jesus or the Pharisees?
If Jesus were here today, he, indeed, would love the tree huggers and gay populace, but he also would be hated because he would stand up and hold people accountable for their sins. Jesus loved the sinner, but never tolerated their sin. He told the man lying by the swirling waters of Bethseda not to “return to a sinning life or something worse might happen (vs. 14).” Jesus didn’t just care about the man at that moment, he cared about his future. We can better love people through committed relationships, not by walking past someone we barely know and tell them about their sins. Jesus was both gentle and forceful in his actions. It only works when wrapped in love.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to be gentle and forceful at just the right times. Help me to seek you in all my relationships. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 158
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Don’t return to life of sin
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 5:15-17 (The Message) The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus – because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath. But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through even on the Sabbath. So am I.”
Hundreds of sick people were hanging out at the pools of Bethseda, near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. People believed that there were healing powers when the waters “stirred.” They were blind, crippled, and paralyzed, looking for hope. There, Jesus sees a man stretched out. He had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus sees him, he asks if he wants to get well. The crippled man replies that when the waters stir, he has no one to help him get in the water. Jesus tells him to pick up his bedroll and walk. He is healed instantly.
Great story of how Jesus’ miraculous healing powers work, except for one thing: The Jews got wind of the healing on the Sabbath and are ticked. They confront the man. “You can’t carry your bedroll around,” they respond. “It’s against the rules.” The man tells them that it was Jesus who healed him and who told him to grab his bedroll and go home. The Jews are incredulous at Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath – right in the open, in front of a big crowd. The nerve of that guy showing everybody up. Jesus had to sneak off to hide from the Jews.
But Jesus isn’t done. A short while later, Jesus finds the man again, this time in the Temple. “Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse will happen,” he tells the man. Even after Jesus performs miraculous healings on us, we can still return to a life of sin. Jesus warns us that the consequences will be even worse the second time. The temptation we all face is that after we are healed and are strengthened, we begin to think that we can do it on our own. Then we fall away from our faith life and stumble. The second fall is always harder.
This is an important message for single parents who find healing after their life crisis, whether it be divorce, having a child out of wedlock, or a spouse dying. After things settle down and we find peace, we sometimes slip up and stumble again. Maybe we think we’re ready to date when we really need to focus on our kids. Our fall prey to flattery and get burned in an unhealthy relationship. Jesus wants us to know that he is there for us, 24/7, even on the Sabbath, even after we stumble. We can always count on his healing powers. Do you want to be healed?
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to stay on the right path. Help me to draw near your healing powers and let you do your thing. Help me not to lean on my own strength. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 157
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 5:15-17 (The Message) The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus – because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath. But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through even on the Sabbath. So am I.”
Hundreds of sick people were hanging out at the pools of Bethseda, near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. People believed that there were healing powers when the waters “stirred.” They were blind, crippled, and paralyzed, looking for hope. There, Jesus sees a man stretched out. He had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus sees him, he asks if he wants to get well. The crippled man replies that when the waters stir, he has no one to help him get in the water. Jesus tells him to pick up his bedroll and walk. He is healed instantly.
Great story of how Jesus’ miraculous healing powers work, except for one thing: The Jews got wind of the healing on the Sabbath and are ticked. They confront the man. “You can’t carry your bedroll around,” they respond. “It’s against the rules.” The man tells them that it was Jesus who healed him and who told him to grab his bedroll and go home. The Jews are incredulous at Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath – right in the open, in front of a big crowd. The nerve of that guy showing everybody up. Jesus had to sneak off to hide from the Jews.
But Jesus isn’t done. A short while later, Jesus finds the man again, this time in the Temple. “Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse will happen,” he tells the man. Even after Jesus performs miraculous healings on us, we can still return to a life of sin. Jesus warns us that the consequences will be even worse the second time. The temptation we all face is that after we are healed and are strengthened, we begin to think that we can do it on our own. Then we fall away from our faith life and stumble. The second fall is always harder.
This is an important message for single parents who find healing after their life crisis, whether it be divorce, having a child out of wedlock, or a spouse dying. After things settle down and we find peace, we sometimes slip up and stumble again. Maybe we think we’re ready to date when we really need to focus on our kids. Our fall prey to flattery and get burned in an unhealthy relationship. Jesus wants us to know that he is there for us, 24/7, even on the Sabbath, even after we stumble. We can always count on his healing powers. Do you want to be healed?
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to stay on the right path. Help me to draw near your healing powers and let you do your thing. Help me not to lean on my own strength. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 157
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Monday, November 17, 2008
Join God in his harvest
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 4:34-35 (The Message) Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!”
One of my most vivid memories of growing up on a farm was the golden fields of wheat, ready to be harvested. What is planted in spring and harvested in summer. Often, I was able to watch the fields grow from a green sprout in the ground until harvest time. A combine would cut the wheat stalks and separate the heads of wheat at the top. When I was in junior high, I worked for my dad as his weighmaster, the person who weighed the trucks loaded with grain that came directly from the fields. The harvested wheat was paid for by the tonnage, at whatever the market price was at the time.
In this analogy, the person who planted the wheat was not the same person who came by in a combine and cut the stocks at harvest time. There were also people who disked up the previous crop, set the planting rows, added vertilizer, and another who watered the crops regularly. Sunshine, provided by God, was needed every day. At harvest time, everybody got paid equally. Each person in the chain of jobs was equally important in order for the wheat to be eaten by cattle (in our case, or to the mill in other cases).
As Jesus is telling the story, it is springtime, and the crops are still growing in the sun. The disciples are pressing him to move on, away from Sychar and the Samaria they despised so much. Instead, Jesus tells them to look around at the potential crop right in front of them. They were hungry, but Jesus wasn’t, because, he told them, his nourishment came from his Father above, who filled him generously.
The key is that God sent us to finish the work that he already started. Each of us can look around and see crops planted by God all around us. He has already started good works in different areas of our lives. We just need to have our eyes open to see what is sprouting up around us to know what he wants us to do. Maybe one of us is to water, another is to fertilize, and still another of us is meant to drive the combine in the field. In each situation, there are plenty of jobs to be done. Each has a different skill. The only requirement is the desire to be an active participant in God’s work. We all can reap the rewards of the harvest.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help us to want to see the ministry you have started around us. Help us to be a part of the whole process, no matter how small or large the task. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 156
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 4:34-35 (The Message) Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!”
One of my most vivid memories of growing up on a farm was the golden fields of wheat, ready to be harvested. What is planted in spring and harvested in summer. Often, I was able to watch the fields grow from a green sprout in the ground until harvest time. A combine would cut the wheat stalks and separate the heads of wheat at the top. When I was in junior high, I worked for my dad as his weighmaster, the person who weighed the trucks loaded with grain that came directly from the fields. The harvested wheat was paid for by the tonnage, at whatever the market price was at the time.
In this analogy, the person who planted the wheat was not the same person who came by in a combine and cut the stocks at harvest time. There were also people who disked up the previous crop, set the planting rows, added vertilizer, and another who watered the crops regularly. Sunshine, provided by God, was needed every day. At harvest time, everybody got paid equally. Each person in the chain of jobs was equally important in order for the wheat to be eaten by cattle (in our case, or to the mill in other cases).
As Jesus is telling the story, it is springtime, and the crops are still growing in the sun. The disciples are pressing him to move on, away from Sychar and the Samaria they despised so much. Instead, Jesus tells them to look around at the potential crop right in front of them. They were hungry, but Jesus wasn’t, because, he told them, his nourishment came from his Father above, who filled him generously.
The key is that God sent us to finish the work that he already started. Each of us can look around and see crops planted by God all around us. He has already started good works in different areas of our lives. We just need to have our eyes open to see what is sprouting up around us to know what he wants us to do. Maybe one of us is to water, another is to fertilize, and still another of us is meant to drive the combine in the field. In each situation, there are plenty of jobs to be done. Each has a different skill. The only requirement is the desire to be an active participant in God’s work. We all can reap the rewards of the harvest.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help us to want to see the ministry you have started around us. Help us to be a part of the whole process, no matter how small or large the task. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 156
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Friday, November 14, 2008
Quick-change artist
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matt. 4:28-30 (The Message) The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” And they went out to see for themselves.
Although the woman at the well has made a decision to follow Jesus, the disciples are still judging her because of her past. Jesus loves and accepts her wholeheartedly, but that does not mean everyone else will. Many single parents – whether from divorce or out of wedlock -- feel shunned by the church. This is sad, because the very people single parents need to feel loved by are keeping them at an arms distance. Usually, acceptance comes in time, though.
It should be noted that there are many parishioners out there ready to love on single parents. Many were once single parents themselves. Or perhaps they are elderly people who have children who are single parents, and they understand your plight. One friend whom you can confide your struggles with every few weeks can make all the difference in the world. Single parents need to take the time to heal and grieve and understand the changes that are occurring for them and their children and confessing your sins is a part of that process.
This story has so many gems hidden in the text. When the woman leaves her water pot behind, it symbolizes her burden to society. She can’t collect her water in the morning with the rest of the women because of her reputation. But after she meets Jesus, she is emboldened and goes back to town to share Jesus with everyone she meets. The fact that Jesus accepts her, despite her flaws, excites her because she can put her life of shame and ridicule behind her. People can see the change in her immediately. The best part of the story is the last sentence of this scripture: “They went out to see for themselves.” If this Jesus fellow could change the town harlot, maybe he could fix other problems. And he can, if you let him. Go and see for yourself.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, I pray that one person reading this goes and sees for himself who you are. I pray that you bring change upon his or her life, the same as you did the woman at the well. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 155
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: Matt. 4:28-30 (The Message) The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” And they went out to see for themselves.
Although the woman at the well has made a decision to follow Jesus, the disciples are still judging her because of her past. Jesus loves and accepts her wholeheartedly, but that does not mean everyone else will. Many single parents – whether from divorce or out of wedlock -- feel shunned by the church. This is sad, because the very people single parents need to feel loved by are keeping them at an arms distance. Usually, acceptance comes in time, though.
It should be noted that there are many parishioners out there ready to love on single parents. Many were once single parents themselves. Or perhaps they are elderly people who have children who are single parents, and they understand your plight. One friend whom you can confide your struggles with every few weeks can make all the difference in the world. Single parents need to take the time to heal and grieve and understand the changes that are occurring for them and their children and confessing your sins is a part of that process.
This story has so many gems hidden in the text. When the woman leaves her water pot behind, it symbolizes her burden to society. She can’t collect her water in the morning with the rest of the women because of her reputation. But after she meets Jesus, she is emboldened and goes back to town to share Jesus with everyone she meets. The fact that Jesus accepts her, despite her flaws, excites her because she can put her life of shame and ridicule behind her. People can see the change in her immediately. The best part of the story is the last sentence of this scripture: “They went out to see for themselves.” If this Jesus fellow could change the town harlot, maybe he could fix other problems. And he can, if you let him. Go and see for yourself.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, I pray that one person reading this goes and sees for himself who you are. I pray that you bring change upon his or her life, the same as you did the woman at the well. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 155
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Start with worshipping God
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: John 4:23-24 (The Message) (Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well) “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship … in adoration.”
The woman at the well is grasping at straws. She’s looking for a way out. This man from Nazareth has trapped her. Suddenly, she’s antsy. She wants to run away, just as she has dozens of times before. He has alleviated all her inhibitions about worshipping God. She has no more excuses. Jesus simply tells her that God doesn’t care about who she was yesterday, he cares about who she is today. In one fell swoop, Jesus took away all her reasons for not worshipping his Father.
“That’s it? I don’t have to be Jewish? I don’t have to worship in the Temple in Jerusalem? I can worship God right here? In Sychar, this God-forsaken place?” Perhaps she was shaking her head or mumbling under her breath. “It can’t be this easy,” she thought. All those years, wasted. She starts to think, putting it all together in her head. “You mean, I don’t have to try to be someone I’m not?” she thought, in essence. Jesus responded: “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God.”
Suddenly, the woman at the well goes from being a nobody to being a somebody. Everyone who believes becomes a somebody just like that. It doesn’t matter what your past was. God forgives all sins, not just some. That’s why some people who come before God feel so cleansed. It’s a new experience for them. People spend their whole lives ashamed and guilt-ridden because of their actions. They think they aren’t worthy to come before God. And, in fact, none of us are worthy. God’s grace is a gift for everyone who wants it. That’s what makes grace so amazing. It’free.
But what happens after that initial contact? What then? Jesus said we must “engage our spirit in the pursuit of truth” as we seek God in worship. When we come to faith, the Holy Spirit fills us up with good things to make our lives whole and complete. This pursuit of truth isn’t like a catechism, in which we get all this information handed to us, we study for a while, and then we’re done. Pursuing Jesus is a 24/7 thing. The key is letting go of our old, unusable, unworkable ways and trying it God’s way. How we live before God is what counts. How we seek him is what matters. It starts with worshipping him, right where we are, whenever we feel the urge. It’s that simple.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for making worship easy. Thank you that I can worship you in my living room every morning, in my classroom mid-day, in my car in the afternoon, and in bed late at night. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 154
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Scripture: John 4:23-24 (The Message) (Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well) “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship … in adoration.”
The woman at the well is grasping at straws. She’s looking for a way out. This man from Nazareth has trapped her. Suddenly, she’s antsy. She wants to run away, just as she has dozens of times before. He has alleviated all her inhibitions about worshipping God. She has no more excuses. Jesus simply tells her that God doesn’t care about who she was yesterday, he cares about who she is today. In one fell swoop, Jesus took away all her reasons for not worshipping his Father.
“That’s it? I don’t have to be Jewish? I don’t have to worship in the Temple in Jerusalem? I can worship God right here? In Sychar, this God-forsaken place?” Perhaps she was shaking her head or mumbling under her breath. “It can’t be this easy,” she thought. All those years, wasted. She starts to think, putting it all together in her head. “You mean, I don’t have to try to be someone I’m not?” she thought, in essence. Jesus responded: “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God.”
Suddenly, the woman at the well goes from being a nobody to being a somebody. Everyone who believes becomes a somebody just like that. It doesn’t matter what your past was. God forgives all sins, not just some. That’s why some people who come before God feel so cleansed. It’s a new experience for them. People spend their whole lives ashamed and guilt-ridden because of their actions. They think they aren’t worthy to come before God. And, in fact, none of us are worthy. God’s grace is a gift for everyone who wants it. That’s what makes grace so amazing. It’free.
But what happens after that initial contact? What then? Jesus said we must “engage our spirit in the pursuit of truth” as we seek God in worship. When we come to faith, the Holy Spirit fills us up with good things to make our lives whole and complete. This pursuit of truth isn’t like a catechism, in which we get all this information handed to us, we study for a while, and then we’re done. Pursuing Jesus is a 24/7 thing. The key is letting go of our old, unusable, unworkable ways and trying it God’s way. How we live before God is what counts. How we seek him is what matters. It starts with worshipping him, right where we are, whenever we feel the urge. It’s that simple.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for making worship easy. Thank you that I can worship you in my living room every morning, in my classroom mid-day, in my car in the afternoon, and in bed late at night. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 154
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Freedom for all
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 4:5-9 (The Message) Jesus came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon. A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” … The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)
Jesus committed two faux pas in the exchange. First, he was alone with a woman, and two, he was alone with a Samaritan. The Jews hated the Samaritans. In fact, when Jesus said he wanted to take a shortcut on his journey from Aenon to
But Jesus had a mission. He had to be at Jacob’s Well in Sychar at noon on this very day to witness to a harlot. Her life was at stake. Jesus even made sure all his disciples were in town buying food (wells usually were a short walk from the center of town). Jesus needed to be alone with the Samaritan woman in order to have a conversation with her and gain her trust. Had the disciples been hanging around, they would have shoo’d the woman away from Jesus.
Jesus was smarter than the average bear and planned around his disciples’ bigotry. That day, the Samaritan woman found new freedom, something she had never experienced in her rugged life. She kept bouncing from one man to another, hoping to be set free of her bondage. She was a virtual sex slave to whatever man she was with at the time. She probably had no friends; all the women in town shunned her because of her reputation. She was fetching water at noon – the other women would have done it in the cool of the morning and spent perhaps an hour socializing. She had gone through five husbands and was now living with a sixth, so the other women wanted nothing to do with her.
What Jesus offered her was equality, the same thing anyone who comes to know Christ receives. Other religions in the world – even today – set women aside as second-hand citizens. Jewish women sit on one side of the room, while the men sit on the other. Muslim women are not allowed into mosques. Mormon women can’t get to heaven unless they are married and produce children. Jesus offered a harlot equality with every woman in town. John goes on to tell that the entire town of
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, I pray that you help every woman reading this know that you want to use them for your glory. Let them know that, no matter what their past, God can use their struggles to bring others to Christ. May they humble themselves in order to know you better. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 153
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/november.asp?version=51
Monday, September 22, 2008
Waiting patiently
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 24:3b-6 (The Message) (The disciples speaking) “What will be the sign of your coming, that the time’s up?” Jesus said, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. … Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.”
Over the past two centuries, many people have tried to predict when Christ’s second coming will occur. Every single one of them has been wrong. A few have deceived people greatly by enticing them to sell all their worldly possessions and move to some isolated area to wait for the end times. Yet the Bible is quite clear that no one knows when Christ will return, except for the Father. Anyone claiming special knowledge is just blowing smoke and wasting people’s time, energy and resources.
Why do people think it is so important to make such predictions? Is it because they want the attention to themselves. Matthew says they “will deceive a lot of people.” “They will have forged identities.” Matthew also says that routine history is no way of foretelling the future. Wars, famines and earthquakes are everyday occurrences. Jesus warned the disciples not to panic; those things are nothing compared to what is coming when he returns.
So why do people panic? Perhaps it is because they don’t have assurances that they have a place in eternity. Or perhaps they have lost hope and cling to the notion of ending their time on earth for a better place, heaven. I know there have been times when I have said, “Lord, just end it all!” We feel weighed down during tough economic times or when relationships crumble. But, at least with me, reality hits and I don’t really want to go. I don’t believe my mission on earth is accomplished yet, so I continue to wait, sometimes patiently, while other times I am patient.
How do we become patient in waiting? It all comes down to trusting God with our lives, spiritually, emotionally, relationally and financially. We all have that hope that there are better times awaiting us in heaven, but do we have that same hope that life here on earth can be as it is in heaven? That is what the Lord’s prayer states: “On earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:7-13). We must cling to God’s promises in order not to be deceived by false prophets. As soon as we see someone spouting off about end times, we know he is clueless. Do not bother with his numerology or prophecy, because no one knows when He is coming again. So sit back and enjoy the wait.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Help me to have patience in waiting for your return, Lord. Help me to live in these times as salt in the world. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 129
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/september.asp?version=51
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Real relationships
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 18:15 (The Message) “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him – work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend.”
If only it were that simple: “Work it out between the two of you.” That single line may be among the most difficult in the Bible for us to grasp. We humans just don’t do conflict well. Issues between two people can get to the point in which both lives become consumed. Anger simmers, and hatred is just around the corner. Bitterness cannot be far behind. When a friendship is broken, Satan smiles.
That is why Jesus made forgiveness the heart of his ministry. He knew just how important forgiveness would be. He also knew how tough it would be for us to grasp the concepts. That is why he urged us to ask forgiveness and seek reconciliation as soon as possible. Don’t wait. The wounds will only fester and spread to the heart. Then it begins to affect every relationship in our lives. Just the way Satan wants it.
Relationships demand trust and honesty. Trust is built on honesty. When someone is hurt by another person, trust is put on hold until amends are made. Satan wants us bickering with our friends. He wants us angry at one another. He wants us to put off seeking forgiveness because that means healing, and the relationship depends. He wants us on edge, so that true friendship cannot happen. He likes shallow friendships. Depth scares him, because God is into deep relationships.
When two friends can forgive and reconcile, it helps us to see God’s plan of grace. It makes it easier for us to go to God and confess our sins. When we know it is easier than we thought, we are free to go to him more often. Our faith grows with our openness and honesty. Real relationships demand trust. When trust is built, authenticity occurs. That is what God wants for us, with him as well as with our earthly relationships. When we have real relationships here on earth, we grow closer to God, because he created us to be relational. Real faith isn’t about trying to be perfect before God; it is realizing that we aren’t perfect and we need a God who forgives all our sins. Jesus Christ died for each and every one of those sins so that we need not carry that burden.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiveness and reconciliation. Help me to not be afraid to come before you with my sins. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 113
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/august.asp?version=51
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Jesus doesn’t take days off
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36 (The Message) On return, the (disciples) beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
Life goes on. One day Jesus is healing the sick and teaching 5,000 out in the countryside. When they were hungry, he fed everyone with two fish and five loaves of bread. Then he sent the disciples away on a boat ride so he could be alone and pray. When the disciples saw him body surfing in the middle of a storm, Peter jumped out of the boat to chase after him but sank after he took his eyes off Jesus. The next day, the people saw Jesus in their neighborhood. Back to work. He healed whoever touched him.
The Bible talks about rest periods for the weary, but Jesus rarely took a day off during his 3-year ministry. When Jesus needed restoration, he would go away by himself and pray half the night and be ready to go the next day. We may be tired and in need of rest, but that doesn’t mean Jesus is tired and in need of a day off. We may get through a really busy time serving the Lord and think we need time off, but God may have a plan for us the very next day. We must be ready.
I’ve heard it both ways about rest when we are busy serving the Lord. Some of the most invigorating times I’ve had in my adult life were after serving God in a big way. On the flip side, some of the most draining times were spent serving God. If we are uncertain as to whether to rest or serve again, we must ask God for wisdom and guidance. Our prayer life is the key in such times. If we’re tired from serving too much, we are doing it for ourselves. If we are in constant prayer, God has a way of giving us the strength we need in trying times.
God doesn’t look at our lives the way we do. We may look at life as working M-F with weekends off, but kingdom servants don’t have regular days off. But God does tell us to take a Sabbath day every week, which is meant for rest and worshipping him. We may be busy serving the sick on Sundays that takes half our days. Then it’s back to the grind in the office on Monday. Or we may plan a Saturday at the beach, but we find ourselves ministering to someone God put before us in the parking lot. There is no rhyme or reason when it comes to working for God. Be prepared to serve whenever he calls you, no matter what day it is.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to be ready to serve when you call me. Help me to get my daily rest so that I will have the energy I need whenever you call on me. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 99
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sinking caused by faint-hearts
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 14:31 (The Message) (From yesterday: Peter lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”) Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
One of the descriptions the Bible uses for Jesus is “comforter.” He comforts us in our struggles because he cares for us. But at one point does Jesus reach his hand out to grab us from treachery? Anybody? Anybody? He reaches out before we sink. The passage says Peter “started to sink,” at which point, Jesus grabbed him. Jesus was right there beside Peter. He knew exactly what was going on. He was watching him, millisecond by millisecond. At just the right moment, he pulled up Peter before his head went below the surface.
Peter didn’t sink. His head didn’t go under water. He wasn’t bobbing up and down in drowning mode, gasping for air when his head rose above the water. We must trust that Jesus knows just when to save us. Somewhere in there in his perfect timing, Jesus wants us to grow in our faith: If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can walk on water; when we focus on the storm, we start to sink. That’s why Jesus said to Peter, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” Jesus didn’t say “Peter, you sank because you lost faith;” He said, “What got into you?” He wanted Peter to think on his own.
Only Jesus knows when that perfect time is to save us. At that point, he won’t hesitate to save us. What he doesn’t want to happen is for us to try to save ourselves. That is the dilemma we all face in trying times. Instead of relying on God’s strength, we try to do it ourselves. It is human nature, but that is what Jesus is trying to warn us about. Do not lose focus during stormy times. If we lose that focus for even a little while, fear quickly sets in. That fear does not come from God, it comes from Satan.
God can do incredible things through us, but only if we do things his way. Jesus wants us to know it’s OK to acknowledge or fears. Peter doesn’t get out of the boat and walk on water, then tell Jesus, “Master, I’m scared. There’s a storm all around me. I’m afraid of sinking.” Had Peter made such a statement, Jesus would have replied. “I know it’s scary out here, Peter, but keep your eyes on me.” Instead of keeping his focus on Jesus, Peter looks either to his left or to his right. That is his sin. For us, keeping our focus means living out our faith for Christ daily. When things get tough, we can’t suddenly stop going to church, forget to pray or stop reading our Bibles. Seek counsel from a wise friend. Don’t be afraid to cry out “Master, save me!” because Jesus promises to rescue us from the storms of life.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you, every day. Help me not to turn to the left or to the right during the storm. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 97
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
Monday, July 28, 2008
Listen only to Jesus’ voice
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 14:30 (The Message) Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
When my son was an infant, I took him to swimming lessons in the summertime. The instructor had us place or children on the deck of the pool, with us standing in the water a few feet away. Then he told us to tell our children to jump into our arms. “Come on, Son, you can do this. Jump into Daddy’s arms.” And what’s the first thing our children say? “Will you catch me?” “Yes, Son, I’ll catch you.” Then he would jump into my arms, and laugh and giggle. “Again,” he’d say.
That’s how our faith life is, too. Peter first asks Jesus if it is really him on the water. When Jesus assures him it is he, Peter “jumps out of the boat” with exuberance. At first, Peter’s faith is rewarded. He is the only one of the disciples to get out of the boat and walk on water. Only Peter had that special experience of knowing Jesus right then. It’s the same way with the swimming lesson above. Afterward, my son and I had a special bond, because he knew he could trust me and jump and I would catch him.
That’s what Jesus was doing with Peter. Peter was fine at first. His excitement got him out of the boat and surfing onto the water. But as soon as he looked around, he realized there was still a storm going on around him. These were white-cap waves churning around him, not just water lapping onto the side of the boat. Peter had reason to fear, at least in his own mind. Then, scripture says “he lost his nerve and started to sink.” That’s what happens with us and our faith. Note that it doesn’t say “he sank.” Jesus was still there for him, whether Peter realized it or not.
Peter’s faith got him out of the boat as no other. But when he took his eyes of Jesus, he began to sink. And just like us when we panic, we first cry out to God to save us. It’s instinct. “Hey, I’m sinking here, God. Are you watching.” Yes, God is watching, but he gave us instructions, and he wants us to follow them. Keep with the program and we’ll be fine. That’s what faith is about. Peter’s troubles began when he started looking at the storm around him. Thinking like that will always discourage us. Satan’s plan is to discourage us at every turn. We must learn to listen to God’s voice of encouragement in stormy times and not Satan’s.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to listen to your voice only. Help me to stick you’re your program. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 96
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Preparing properly
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23 (The Message) As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples got in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
Jesus had just finished performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000. The next subtitle for this story is “Walking on the Water.” Like a businessman looking ahead to the next day’s agenda, Jesus knew what would happen that night. He had an object lesson planned for Peter, designed to build his faith. So what does Jesus do, knowing he must go from one great miracle to another? He first regains his strength by going off to a place of solitude and praying. Scripture says he was praying “late into the night,” so it wasn’t a short prayer.
That’s a lesson we should all learn. Tomorrow’s a big day, and we know it. We need proper rest, yes, so going to bed at a decent hour is wise. But it’s the prayer thing that is important. Instead of taking a day off, Jesus looks at the surroundings and sees another opportunity to teach Peter how to trust him more. His prayer time fortifies his plans. We should do the same. “Father, this is my plan. What am I missing? Tell me.” Then listen intently. Whatever you need, God will reveal to you.
Our plan may be sound because we prayed over it as we made it, but that quiet time with God is meant to be a listening time. “Lord, what is your plan for me.” That way, it becomes more of God’s plan and less of ours. Jesus knew a storm was brewing when he sent the disciples out. He knew he would rejoin them by walking on water. He knew Peter would hop out of the boat and cry for help when he sank. Yet he still wanted to ensure he was one with God by praying first. He prayed fervently, too.
Jesus didn’t waste any time moving on to the next ministry opportunity. He didn’t gloat over his success with the feeding of the 5,000. Had he eaten with his disciples that night, they surely would have reveled in the fact that, at the end of the meal, there were more loaves and fishes than when they started. Maybe they would have gloated a little bit. Jesus would have none of that. He saw another opportunity to teach his disciples, and he didn’t waste it. We should do the same with our children. Sometimes it happens so quickly that the only prayer time we have is “Lord, help me.” That’s enough. We’ve called on the Holy Spirit to intervene for us. It’s suddenly about God and not about us. Let the great teacher teach.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to give my daily plans over to you. Tell me what I am missing for today. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 93
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
Monday, July 21, 2008
God-infused knowledge
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 13:52 (The Message) (Jesus) said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his handle on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”
Jesus had just finished telling the parable of the thistles in the field and was trying to explain God’s kingdom to the people. The thistles represented servants of Satan, sent to destroy the kingdom Harvest. We find that God’s angels will pull up the thistles and destroy them – in the final act. When he asked them if they had a handle why he told stories, they said they understood. Jesus put a premium on being a well-trained student of the Bible because it would give one the knowledge to deal with any problem, which is wisdom. Wisdom is the key to everything you need.
As parents, we hope our children grow in knowledge as they continue their education. Today, a premium is put on getting a college education because it’s at least four more years of learning how to study in order to solve problems. When a student studies and understands the materials, it usually means a better grade. Knowing the material down the road is what is important, not getting a good grade and then forgetting what you studied. That’s the way it is with the Bible; it isn’t about reading it, forgetting it and not using it. We must retain knowledge in order to use it for the kingdom.
That’s why reading and studying the Bible is so important. I have come to value reading the Bible with a daily plan because I see its importance. I read it first thing in the morning (ideally before the newspaper or the Internet). Then I pray and write. That’s my quiet time; it amounts to about 30 minutes a day. I need that time to be first thing in the morning, so that I make God my priority from the beginning. I also am involved in two Bible studies, one a couples group that meets twice a month, and one a men’s group that meets every Wednesday night. In the group studies, we usually don’t get past more than a few verses at a time, because we’re also discussing it. It helps to know what others think about the passages. Sometimes, I read different translations to get a different take. This year, I am reading The Message for these devotions.
God wants us all to be well-trained in his Word because it gives us preparation for what comes our way each day. It gives us a basis for living. The Bible teaches us how to deal with the thistles the world throws at us. It’s a guide for kingdom living. The more we study it, the better we are able to tackle life’s problems. It’s sort of like osmosis; as we read God’s word, his knowledge just sort of seeps out of the pages and into our minds. That’s how God works. With that kind of lifestyle, whenever we need wisdom, it’s there because God grants wisdom to those who are prepared.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, give me wisdom as I study your word. Give me the knowledge to deal with today’s problems. Help me to live for today. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 91
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
It’s simple: Follow Jesus
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-3 (The Message) At about that same time, Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all, a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
The simplicity of it all. Jesus is standing on a beach, hanging out with his disciples. Suddenly, swarms of people gather around him to listen to him teach. Whatever he had said previously had impacted them greatly because they wanted to hear more. To gather himself, he hopped into a nearby boat and pushed off from shore. From there, he taught the people by telling stories. A beach, a boat, stories. That was all Jesus needed.
Imagine if a Benny Hinn or a Jimmy Swaggert tried that today with no television audience and no hope of an offering to subsidize their mega-ministries. (Side note: Did Jesus ever ask for money when he preached? The answer is no.) Today, we want to be entertained. We want to laugh on Sunday mornings. We want multi-media presentations to give us pizzazz. We want to be dazzled. Yet Jesus’ messages were always simple stories. He told parables that made them think about its meaning. He told about the love of God. He told of truth and grace. He told about the kingdom to come. That’s it. No flash.
It wasn’t just the message they were attracted to, it was the messenger. He was so different than anything they had heard from the Jewish leaders. The people on the outside looking in were no longer outcasts; they were included in Jesus’ plans. Jesus’ message was all-inclusive; no one was left out. Anyone who believes in Jesus and the Father can spend eternity in heaven with them. Jesus’ message was and is so simple. It isn’t about the act of doing; it was about being.
Being a Christian, or a follower of Jesus, is simply trying to be like him. We can never be perfect enough to get into heaven. No matter how hard we try, we can never make it on our own merits. The people were tired of trying to live up to the standards of Moses’ Law, which had changed over the centuries to include too many of man’s law. Suddenly, untying your donkey on the Sabbath was considered a sin. The people were frustrated at the difficulty of knowing God. It was all so complex. Jesus’ message simplified their lives greatly. Know Jesus, know the father. Simple. Try it.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to understand the simplicity of your message. Help me to love the Son as well as the Father. Help me to be like the Son. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 87
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
Monday, July 14, 2008
Being obedient is the key
Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.
Scripture: Matt. 12:48-50 (The Message) Jesus didn’t respond directly (to his mother and brothers wanting to speak to him), but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Family was important in the Jewish culture. It was important to have sons to pass on their lineage. Sons and daughters tended to live nearby, even after marriage. Sons would marry but usually stay in the same town. Fathers would teach their sons the business, because it would one day be their own. Blood relatives were important to the culture.
But here, while Jesus is teaching, the Pharisees are looking for a miracle to prove he is who he says he is. Jesus declines. He knows they still wouldn’t believe. When someone mentions that his mother and brothers are outside, he tells the crowd that anyone who obeys his Father’s words is his brothers, sisters and mother. He was setting obedience above blood. He was telling the people how important obedience is.
When Jesus was asked about which commandments were the most important, he told the people to love God with all their hearts, souls and minds, and to love their neighbors as themselves. Simple. If we obey those two commandments, everything else in life falls into place. If we truly love God with all our heart, soul and mind, loving others comes naturally. It’s a byproduct of who God is. When they asked him to define “neighbors,” he told them that everyone was considered a neighbor in the kingdom. They were looking for loopholes.
It seems so simple, yet obeying those two commandments gets tricky. Every day, we are disobedient. What God cares about is where our hearts are. Do we feel remorse when we stumble? Do we immediately come to God and confess our sins? Or do we take the attitude that God forgives all our sins anyway, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that we must try to be obedient. Of course we’re going to stumble; we’re human. The good news is that Jesus died for our sins, all of them. We need a savior, and Jesus is he. It’s in the scriptures, and we can trust God’s word. We just have to believe and be obedient.
How does this apply to my life?
Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to be obedient, even when it hurts. Help me to be obedient, even when it’s difficult. Amen
Doug Mead
Parenting Solo
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Vol. 3, No. 86
This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51
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