Monday, June 18
Theme for the week:
Disciples learn paths of blessedness

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
~ Jesus

Like much of Jesus’ teaching, this beatitude has roots in the Old Testament. There is a striking parallel between it and Psalm 37:11 where David has written the meek shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37 calls for patience while evil men are seemingly thriving and godly folks look to be struggling.

David’s wisdom uses phrases like don’t fret, don’t envy, trust God, and be still.

Often people of meek character are perceived as those who get run over, run past, passed over or simply ignored. Aggressive sorts on the other hand are seen to garner attention and opportunities. It’s not that we should not pursue things, but let’s make sure that we don’t compromise our beliefs, act contrary to our faith in God, or choose to not wait for God. Rather we want to trust that we will take care of us, guard, and provide for us (regardless of the actions of those around us – evil or good).

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Prayer

Father God, help me to grasp meekness as akin to self-control rather than weakness. I want to trust that with You tending to my life’s desires and needs, I don’t need to strong-arm my own path or force issues. I pray that you would open and close doors as best befit my life, and that I would have to faith to either step through or step away as the situation merits; in Jesus name, amen.

Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God

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This is our continuing opportunity to encounter God through His Word in Psalm 119. Unique in the bible, Psalm 119 is fashioned around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (seen above). Each section contains eight verses, making it easily the longest psalm at 176 verses. 

Psalm of Meditation for the Week:

Psalm 119:73-80 (Yodh)

י

  1. Your hands made me and formed me, give me understanding to learn your commands.
  2. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
  3. I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
  4. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
  5. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.
  6. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
  7. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.
  8. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

  • Read: the verses twice.

  • Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.

  • Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.

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Pondering Point

What value do you find in knowing that God has made and formed you? How does this affect your life as you live it today?

Tuesday, June 19
God’s Mission Seen in James 1:19-21

James 1:19-21

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

According to James, God desires to see righteousness produced in us. And, as James points out, our anger derails that production of righteousness. So we are encouraged to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. We are further encouraged to get rid of moral filth and evil that is so prevalent – they obviously don’t help either.

With an air of meekness behind it all, James tells us to humbly accept God's word planted in us which can save us. It can save us from our angry outburst, it can also save others from our angry outbursts, and it can save us from snap judgements that we may regret later. God's desire is to see people saved and to see the fruit of righteousness produced rather than a fruit of sinfulness.

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Prayer for the day

Father God, I want to humbly accept your word. I want it not just planted in me, but rooted and producing fruit in me. Help me learn to stay connected to Jesus the Vine so that I can produce the fruit you desire. When opportunity to become angry arises, help me be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. And teach me to love people in all situations and including those that arouse anger. I want to be more like Jesus in whose name I pray, amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:73-74

Your hands made me and formed me, give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Psalm 131:3

Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. 

The Promise:

Psalm 147:11

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 

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Pondering Point

Who do you rejoice over (Psalm 119 verse 74) when they walk in the room? Consider why that is. Does it have anything to do with God? How could God shine out of you?

Wednesday, June 20
Your Identity in Christ

In Christ, I am the Lord’s and will commit my way to God, waiting patiently for him to vindicate me in any situation.

Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
~ King David

How tempting is it to take matters into your own hands and seek self-vindication rather than letting God be your defender. This is especially tough if you feel that you have been mistreated.

Soon-to-be King David had been there with current King Saul; Moses went through it with His siblings among others (see Saturday’s story).

Our encouragement today is to remember whose we are – and to know that because he has chosen us, we can choose to wait patiently for him to vindicate us, no matter our situation. We do not need to take matters into our own hands. This is especially true when we find ourselves getting angry over a situation. Maybe this is why Jesus reminds us that there's blessing in meekness, in waiting for God, and that there's danger in anger and not waiting on Him.

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Prayer

Lord God, help me to believe that your vindication is going to be better than what I come up with. Help me find hope in the vindication stories of people like David and Moses, your servants. As your servant today, I too want to trust you and commit my ways to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:75-76

I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

The Promise:

John 14:26

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

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Pondering Point

The Psalmist believes God is justified in using affliction to shape us. (verse 75). How have you come to terms with such a belief? Talk with God about it in prayer.

Thursday, June 21
Re-Center Around God

Psalm 37:7-8

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Psalm 37:11

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

Review the week

In light of King David's recognition that anger and meekness don't go together (see 37:11). let’s take a look at how we have been handling anger lately – or maybe frustration, annoyance, or resentment are more descriptive words for you. The scriptures say that man's anger does not bring about the righteousness of God (James 1:20). Yes, the bible does say in your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26), but that seems a rare feat. So take a look with the Holy Spirit:

Repent (if necessary)

Do you have a short fuse in general? Or do you get angry with select people? Do you talk down to certain people (a possible indication you may be annoyed)? Do you get angry with God? Resentful of your situation? Consider the need to confess your unhelpful, unhealthy, and even sinful attitudes.

Return (as necessary)

Come to God and ask Him to clue you in on why certain people or situations disturb you. Don’t be afraid of this time with Him. Your Heavenly Father is very patient with you. AND Ask him to remind you of any unhealthy attitudes in the heat of the moment so that you can adjust with the Spirit’s help on the fly.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:77-78

Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause, but I will meditate on your precepts.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

The Promise:

Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

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Pondering Point

What are your triggers, things that set you off or get you off your game? How can you face them in ways that allow you to keep delighting in God’s ways?

Friday, June 22
Discipleship Point from Matthew 5:5

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

From the Disciple’s Creed, part one:

I believe that God has created me in Christ Jesus to be His workmanship, and that this was His plan for me from the beginning; I believe He has called me to be a witness of His love and grace, sharing the Good News of Jesus wherever I go in life, not merely with words, but also in actions of loving and serving.

It can be hard on our witness of God's love and grace when what people witness out of us is anger. Snap judgments from us can result in serious judgments from them about the legitimacy of our faith in God. No, we’re not going to be perfect, but angry outbursts make our witness much more problematic. In fact, it makes the witness of other people more difficult too. Pay attention to you’re the attitude you are projecting. Learn to handle life with God – and without angry outbursts that cloud your walk with God – as well as that of others. Let's see our actions be those of loving and serving rather than loathing and scorning.

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Discipleship Prayer:

Father God, I know that I’m a witness of Yours at all times, whether I realize it consciously or not at the time. Help me minimize harmful actions and attitudes, and to project a loving and serving spirit that is in tune with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name; Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:79-80

May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

1 Corinthians 11:1

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

The Promise:

Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 

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Pondering Point

What scenarios or people have capacity to sidetrack you from “whole-hearted following of God”?

Saturday, June 23

Numbers 12:1-15

Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.

3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

4 At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:

“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”

9 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.

10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous[a]—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”

14 The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

Aside from Jesus, Moses may be our greatest biblical example of meekness in action. In the face of opposition to his leadership, from his family no less, we see God come to Moses defense. We see God coming through and showing that he is for that meek -- in this case Moses. At a time when many would resort to swift and punitive action, Moses lets God be his defender (which God does amazingly well). I imagine most of us wish God would act this quickly and swiftly in our situations, but there is often much that we are unaware of this going on. Nonetheless, here is one example of one man's meekness showcasing the Lord’s heart bless the meek, making sure that they receive what he wants them to receive.

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Prayer

Lord God, more than once Moses was challenged in his leadership, and yet his humility shined through and You continued to use him well. While he was not perfect, he seems to fit the definition of being meek and seeing the blessings that come with it. Help me add this virtue of sorts to my repertoire of godly attitudes. In Jesus I pray amen.

Sunday, June 24
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

Job 1:20-21

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

We only learn to behave ourselves in the presence of God.

~ C.S. Lewis
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Prayer for Worship

Father God, from Your Spirit to mine, teach me the value and blessing of meekness; in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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