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August 31: Walking with Jesus Luke 24:13–53 Imagine encountering Jesus on the road to Emmaus. It would be a surreal experience. You’re walking to the next town, and you start a conversation with a man beside you, only to find out later that you’ve been talking with the resurrected Son of God . Even more surreal, the topic of conversation up to your moment of discovery has been the death of the man walking with you ( Luke 24:13–35 ). I have often wondered what it would be like to meet Jesus face to face—to have Him explain to me how He exists in the biblical text from Moses, in all the prophets, and in all Scripture ( Luke 24:27 ). How different would my life be after that experience? Would I rethink everything I had known and heard—perhaps everything I do? Asking these questions is not only healthy, it also turns on our spiritual GPS. Are we on the path God has called us to? Have we strayed in one direction or another? Are we caught in some odd roundabout where we’re explaining...

August 30: Dawning of a New Era Luke 23:26–24:12 Jesus’ resurrection brings a new era. Although Jesus told His disciples and loved ones that He would suffer, die, and be raised on the third day ( Luke 9:22 ), they didn’t fully comprehend His promise. The women preparing fragrant spices and perfumes for a burial ritual fully expected to find Jesus’ body in the tomb. Instead, at the dawn of the first day of the week, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. The women were perplexed by their discovery, but the angels challenged them, reminding them of Jesus’ promise: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how  [he]  spoke to you while [He] was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of men who are sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise?” ( Luke 24:5–7 ). Jesus’ resurrection presents new hope for the disciples and those who believe in Him . It also ...

August 29: Becoming a Saved People Isaiah 60:1–62:12 ; Luke 22:63–23:25 For Luke, Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah’s message. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, according to Luke, Jesus opened the Isaiah scroll in a synagogue and proclaimed that the words in Isa 61 are about Him ( Luke 4:17–19 ): “The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me , he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives and liberation to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor, and our God’s day of vengeance, to comfort all those in mourning” ( Isa 61:1–2 ). This moment defines what Jesus’ life would mean—and He was immediately persecuted for claiming the authority rightfully given to Him by God ( Luke 4:20–30 ). Luke’s message—an extension of Isaiah’s—is played out further near the end of Jesus’ life. Jesus’ claim to authority resulted in His being sentenced to deat...

August 28: Meaningless Maxims Job 13:1–12 “Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay” ( Job 13:12 ). There were bits of truth in the words spoken by Jobs’ friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Between their blundering interpretations were words that expressed God’s majesty, justice, and sovereignty. Unfortunately, they pieced together their bits of truth and applied them incorrectly to Job’s life. Job quickly saw through their packaged solution. However, not all those struggling with loss can handle an onslaught of helpful Christ ians with easy answers. When people go through difficult times and ask for advice—or even if they don’t—it’s tempting to deliver our responses based on our own experiences. Eliphaz argued this way: “Just as I have seen, powers of mischief and sowers of trouble will reap it” ( Job 4:8 ). The way we interpret and respond to events in our lives is often Scripture -based and Spirit -led. Though we should readily provide encou...

August 27: My Momma Done Tol’ Me Isaiah 55:1–57:21 ; Luke 21:25–22:23 I went through a phase when I was obsessed with the blues. Something about the soul was at work in the music—a genre created late at night while reflecting on hard times. The music was written more for the songwriter than the audience because the audience had usually gone home by the time these songs were sung. The blues express raw, uncut emotions. The same can be said of the OT prophets. A blues singer can turn a common phrase into something profound. The idea that “I knew better, but I made the mistake anyway” becomes the blues refrain “my momma done tol’ me,” complete with chord structure and growling voice. And “I’m struggling—everything is falling apart” becomes “my dog done died.” The prophets likewise use mundane things like water and food to describe emotional and spiritual struggles. They explain the root of the problem—the cause of our ills: “Ho! Everyone thirsty, come to the waters! And whoever ha...

August 26: Lives of Spiritual Opulence Luke 20:41–21:24 The Pharisees upheld a faulty religious system. They were supposed to be the Jews’ spiritual leaders, but they were more interested in making themselves the religious elite. They loved “greetings in the marketplace and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets” ( Luke 20:46 ). Their ministry was built on the backs of the poor. In contrast, the widow depicted in Luke 21 chose to give all she had. Because she had so little, her generosity was sacrificial. Those who gave out of abundance didn’t feel the loss of income like she did. But the contrast between the widow and the Pharisees shows us much more. Luke says that spiritual wealth can be present where we least expect it—that things aren’t always as they appear. Although Jesus is the long-anticipated Messiah , following Him is never going to bring a life of glory and fame. Jesus is ushering in a kingdom like a mustard seed ( Luke 13:18 ) or yea...

May the God of us all bless and be with you and your family, friends, saints, and even those whom are secular coming to hear the Gospel. May all hearts be touched and secular peoples hearts be pricked with His Word that they will genuinely repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior through their newly founded God--Satan, leave this child of the living God along--touch him or her not in Jesus name is my prayer. Amen.

August 25 Lesson 13 SABBATH REFORMS DEVOTIONAL READING: Mark 2:23–27 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Nehemiah 13:4–31 NEHEMIAH 13:10–12, 15–22 Key Verse I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the [ Sabbath Day ] .— Nehemiah 13:22a God’s People Worship Unit 3:  Worshiping  in Jerusalem Again (Nehemiah) Lessons 10–13 Lesson Aims After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to: 1. Summarize how Nehemiah corrected the neglect of the temple and the abuses of the Sabbath day. 2. Explain how the Sabbath rules have significance for Christians. 3. Commit himself or herself to living a holy life by eliminating bad spiritual habits Lesson Outline Introduction A.  A Look Back B.  Lesson Background: Late Fifth-century bc C.  Lesson Background: The Sabbath    I. Support Neglected ( Nehemiah 13:10–12 ) A.  Worsh...

SUNDAY , AUGUST 25, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 16 YEAR C              Old Testament       Jeremiah 1:4–10              Psalm       Psalm 71:1–6 (UMH 794)              New Testament       Hebrews 12:18–29              Gospel       Luke 13:10–17 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

SUNDAY , AUGUST 25, 2013 | PENTECOST PROPER 16 YEAR C               Old Testament       Isaiah 66:18–23              Psalm       Psalm 50:1–15              Epistle       Hebrews 12:4–24 ( 25–29 )              Gospel       Luke 13:22–30 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

SUNDAY , AUGUST 25, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 16 YEAR C               Psalm       Psalm 46              First Reading       Isaiah 28:14–22              Second Reading       Hebrews 12:18–19 , 22–29               Gospel       Luke 13:22–30 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010).

SUNDAY , AUGUST 25, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 16 YEAR C   Old Testament & Psalm , Option I              Old Testament       Jeremiah 1:4–10               Psalm       Psalm 71:1–6   or   Old Testament & Psalm , Option II              Old Testament       Isaiah 58:9b–14              Psalm       Psalm 103:1–8              New Testament       Hebrews 12:18–29              Gospel       Luke 13:10–17 Revised Common Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

August 25: Riddle Me This Isaiah 50:1–51:23 ; Luke 20:1–40 Jesus’ enemies regularly attempted to make Him look foolish or to disprove His authority. The absurd questions they concocted to discredit Him are rather amusing. The Sadducees posed one of the most preposterous questions about the resurrection of the dead and its relevance to divorce ( Luke 20:27–33 ): If a woman has been married seven times, whose wife will she be when the dead are resurrected? This scene is especially humorous in light of rabbis’ habit of playing mind games to outsmart (or “outwise” ) one another and the Sadducees’ belief that resurrection does not exist. Jesus’ opponents thought they had rigged the game: Any answer to their riddle would be incorrect. It was an attempt to trap Jesus into agreeing that the resurrection of the dead is a myth. Jesus, however, offered an answer that put them in their place ( Luke 20:34–40 ). His response made the Sadducees look even more foolish in light of larger bi...

August 24: Who Is Trustworthy? Luke 19:11–48 We might get sidetracked when reading the Parable of the Ten Minas . Businessmen aren’t sympathetic characters in our modern world. In movies and sometimes in life, they’re often flat, miserly characters who take advantage of naïve individuals and community values. Although there is often an element of truth to some stereotypes, it can be too easy to take sides. And we’re forced to take sides in this parable. Whose view is correct—the people of the city who hate the nobleman, the fearful servant, or the nobleman and his faithful servants? The response of the masses seems unjustified. The two servants entrusted with minas are faithful characters, but not the focus of the parable. When the final servant is summoned, we expect an interesting turn of events. Will we sympathize with him? We’ve already heard that the citizens hate the nobleman, and the final servant seems to confirm this: “For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe ma...

August 23: God the Innovator Isaiah 45:14–47:15 Innovators often say they learn more from their failures than their successes. The successes come as a result of repeated failures, whether in business or in life. We must learn from our mistakes if we are to expect a different, brighter future. God expects us to learn from our failures—the depths of which we can best understand in comparison to the glory of His successes. God speaks about Himself not only to remind people of His abilities, but also to explain where His authority begins and theirs ends. In Isaiah 45:1–2 , God gave Cyrus a lesson in these boundaries—both by what He said and by what He did not say. Like other kings of the time, Cyrus would have thought himself godlike, but God’s detailed description of what He was about to do left Cyrus with no doubt about who was in charge: “And I will give you the treasures of darkness and treasures of secret places so that you may know that I [Am] Yahweh , the [One] who cal...

How to Study the Bible’s Key Themes Lizzi Jackson   |   Tue, August 20, 2013   |    MISC    0 The Bible wasn’t written as a subject-by-subject textbook—its themes and topics are all spread out. That where Logos 5’s  Topic Guide  comes in. With the Topic Guide, it’s easy to study the Bible by subject: just search and go! Explore topics in depth:  In addition to biblical texts, you’ll be prompted with relevant material from your library, giving you a deeper understanding of even the most complex biblical topics. Discover biblical connections:  Never miss a related verse. The Topic Guide connects passages from your Bible in a network of themes and concepts. As you delve into your topic, you can always get more specific or more general—jumping from “baptism” to “infant baptism,” for example. Make a message:  Need some inspiration for your sermon or lecture? The Topic Guide is a great w...

August 22: Complaints Job 10:1–10 Complaining can be automatic. We complain about the weather, our children, our jobs. And we might do it for any number of reasons—even something as trivial as to keep a conversation going. Although we might complain lightly, we still betray something about our hearts. We assume that we are owed something—that we are entitled. We might readily admit this. We might freely say that this should not be our posture before people or before God. But Job challenges our stereotype of the complainer. What can we learn from his complaints? In his outcries, we find someone struggling to understand his situation before God. He prays, “My inner self loathes my life; I want to give vent to my complaint; I want to speak out of the bitterness of my inner self. I will say to God, ‘You should not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me’ ” (Job 10:1–2). He repeats and recasts his elevated and prolonged complaints in surprising similes: “Did you not pour me ...

August 21: Transitions Isaiah 42:10–43:28 Life is marked by seasons—times of great difficulty and times of great joy. Usually we focus on making the transition from pain to relief as quickly as possible, but in the process, we may forget the significance of the transition itself. A transition is an opportunity to contemplate: Who is acting to move us from one season of our lives to the next? Why does winter give way to spring? “Sing a new song to Yahweh ; praise him from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea and that which fills it, the coast-lands and their inhabitants. Let the desert and its towns lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy; let them shout loudly from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory to Yahweh and declare his praise in the coast-lands  ( Isa 42:10–12 ). This song of praise moves from the “end of the earth” inward, from region to region, until the whole world is involved. Yahw...

August 24: Who Is Trustworthy? Luke 19:11–48 We might get sidetracked when reading the Parable of the Ten Minas. Businessmen aren’t sympathetic characters in our modern world. In movies and sometimes in life, they’re often flat, miserly characters who take advantage of naïve individuals and community values. Although there is often an element of truth to some stereotypes, it can be too easy to take sides. And we’re forced to take sides in this parable. Whose view is correct—the people of the city who hate the nobleman, the fearful servant, or the nobleman and his faithful servants? The response of the masses seems unjustified. The two servants entrusted with minas are faithful characters, but not the focus of the parable. When the final servant is summoned, we expect an interesting turn of events. Will we sympathize with him? We've already heard that the citizens hate the nobleman, and the final servant seems to confirm this: “For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe...

August 20: The Pursuit of Failures Luke 15:1–32 Often, when we focus too much on our own failures, we don’t reach the point where grace changes us. That’s why the parable of the Prodigal Son is so comforting for people who are caught up and brought down by their failures. In this parable it’s not the younger son’s humility or the elder brother’s jealousy in the limelight. It’s the father’s pursuit of both his sons. After living selfishly and squandering his inheritance, the younger son realized how foolish his actions had been. He realized that even his father’s hired hands received more love and attention than he had received after leaving his father’s house. Deciding to plead for mercy, the younger son rehearsed his request to the father: “I will set out and go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight! I am no longer worthy to be called your son! Make me like one of your hired workers.’ ” ( Luke 15:18–19 ). But his plan was inte...

August 19: The Cost of Comfort Isaiah 39:1–40:31 ; Luke 14:1–35 “ ‘[You all] comfort; comfort my people,’ says your God . ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her, that her compulsory labor is fulfilled, that her sin is paid for, that she has received from the hand of Yahweh double for all her sins’ ” ( Isa 40:1–2 ). God directed this command at the prophet and a group of people—possibly all those remaining in Israel. They were to speak comfort to the exiled Israelites, to call them home again. Sometimes we feel the need for this kind of comfort. Like the prodigal son in the pig sty, we feel exiled and alone; we have paid our sentence, and we want to go home. We’re not even asking for joy—just comfort. Despite their sins, God responded to the Israelites. But God did not merely restore them to their former state. He sent the Suffering Servant , prophesied later in Isaiah ( Isa 52:13–53:12 ), to die on behalf of the people, to pay for the sins that resulted in exile in ...

August 18 Lesson 12 DEDICATION OF THE WALL DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 96 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Nehemiah 12:27–43 NEHEMIAH 12:27–38 , 43 GOD’S PEOPLE WORSHIP Unit 3: Worshiping in Jerusalem Again ( Nehemiah ) LESSONS 10–13 LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to: 1. Describe how ancient Israel gave thanks for a great accomplishment through a joyous but formal praise service. 2. Explain how the celebration and worship in the text can be a model for a proper celebration of any ministry task successfully completed. 3. Plan a detailed celebration for the church of a past or possible future great accomplishment. LESSON OUTLINE Introduction       A.      Joyful Celebration       B.      Lesson Background: Geography       C.      Lesson Background: Levites           I.      Dedication Preparati...

SUNDAY , AUGUST 18, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 15 YEAR C              Old Testament       Isaiah 5:1–7              Psalm       Psalm 80:1–2 , 8–19 (UMH 801)              New Testament       Hebrews 11:29–12:2              Gospel       Luke 12:49–56 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

SUNDAY , AUGUST 18, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 15 YEAR C               Psalm       Psalm 82              First Reading       Jeremiah 23:23–29               Second Reading       Hebrews 12:1–7 ( 8–10 ) 11–14               Gospel       Luke 12:49–56 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010).

SUNDAY , AUGUST 18, 2013 | PENTECOST PROPER 15 YEAR C              Old Testament       Jeremiah 23:16–29              Psalm       Psalm 119:81–88              Epistle       Hebrews 11:17–31 ( 32–40 )              Gospel       Luke 12:49–53 ( 54–56 ) Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

SUNDAY , AUGUST 18, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 15 YEAR C   Old Testament & Psalm , Option I              Old Testament       Isaiah 5:1–7              Psalm       Psalm 80:1–2 , 8–19   or   Old Testament & Psalm , Option II              Old Testament       Jeremiah 23:23–29              Psalm       Psalm 82               New Testament       Hebrews 11:29–12:2              Gospel       Luke 12:49–56 Revised Common Lectionary, vols. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

August 18: Connecting the Dots Job 9:1–11 When we don’t have all the facts, we still like to connect the dots. Questions make us uncomfortable, so we draw lines with answers that make us feel safe and that fit our worldview. But sometimes we hold too tightly to the picture that results. Job’s friends were guilty of this error. Although they affirmed true things about God’s character , they connected the dots in unhelpful ways. For example, in Job 8 , Bildad pointed to God’s justice and stated that Job’s hardship couldn’t be for nothing. Therefore, he must have sinned. Job also affirmed God’s justice , wisdom, and strength, but he didn’t buy into Bildad’s worldview. In Job 9 , he acknowledged that God was beyond his understanding. Job might have suffered, but he kept his high opinion of God . Job wanted answers, too. He longed for God to make Himself known and settle the matter ( Job 9:3 ). Job mourned that he had no way of defending himself before God: “There is no arbiter betwe...

August 17: Anxiety and the Wilderness Isaiah 35:1–37:13 ; Luke 12:22–59 Anxiety has a way of ruling over us. Although many of our concerns are legitimate—like having money to pay the rent and buy food—some of them are nonsensical. We envision future catastrophes and spend our days worrying about what might never happen, creating an emotional wilderness for ourselves. Anxiety isn’t new. The prophet Isaiah addresses the problem: “Wilderness and dry land shall be glad, and desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.… Say to those who are hasty of heart, ‘Be strong; you must not fear! Look! your God will come with vengeance, with divine retribution. He is the one who will come and save you’ ” ( Isa 35:1 , 4 ). Isaiah realizes that there is a time and season for everything. He proclaims that God will bring the people out of the wilderness (their exile in Babylon) and back into their land. There is an answer to the anxiety, pain and worry that they feel about the future. His word...

August 16: No Fear and Full Confidence Luke 11:37–12:21 Jesus didn’t exactly follow social niceties as a dinner guest. Once again while dining with a Pharisee, He exposed the hypocrisy that was rampant among those religious leaders: “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but your inside is full of greediness and wickedness” ( Luke 11:37 ). The “woes” He followed with challenged His host and, by extension, the Pharisees in general. His boldness is a trait He wanted to pass on to His disciples: “But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known” ( Luke 12:2 ). The gospel message will not be kept secret; the new kingdom is coming into being. Jesus wanted the disciples to be fearless among people because it is God who is in charge, not the Pharisees; they had built up a false construct of authority. And although they may have exercised authority—they could kill and spread fear—they weren’t ultimately in charge...

August 15: Lethal Planning Isaiah 30:18–32:20 I’m a planner. I love schedules. The trouble is I sometimes make plans without consulting God . While I often think of this as a modern problem, I've discovered that, like many other modern issues, the Bible regularly addresses it. For example, in Isaiah 30:1 Yahweh declares, “Oh rebellious children!… to make a plan, but not from me, and pour out a libation, but not from my Spirit , so as to add sin to sin.” Apparently, God’s people had been offering libations—a type of drink offering—in the ways of the Egyptians rather than in the ways of Yahweh . We make the same mistake in our lives. We seek wisdom in books or from people before consulting Yahweh . We ask our colleagues what they think before turning to our God . We look to our parents or friends instead of waiting patiently on God’s resolve . We look to our own strength or influence instead of relying on the God who created us. In our demeanor toward God , we are so much lik...

August 14: Being Busy Luke 10:1–42 Sometimes it’s difficult to deal with quiet. For most people, chaos, deadlines, managing multiple schedules, and being “so busy” are a way of life. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we like it. Busyness implies we are special and valued and the work we’re doing is necessary. And we have a desperate need to be valued. When others failed to recognize Martha’s work—when Mary didn’t hold to the same values—she complained to Jesus . He responded by rebuking her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things! But few things are necessary, or only one thing, for Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her ” ( Luke 10:41–42 ). What is the “better part”? Mary “sat at the feet of Jesus and was listening to his teaching” ( Luke 10:39 ), and Jesus praised her desire to listen and learn. Mary was captivated by the “one thing” that would change the world: Jesus and the kingdom He was ushering in. Jesus showed...

August 13: Haunted by Leviathan Isaiah 27:1–28:29 ; Luke 9:28–62 ; Job 6:14–30 Indiana Jones isn’t afraid of anything—until a snake shows up on the scene. Then we hear him mutter, “I hate snakes” and “Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?” Everyone is afraid of something. Even now your greatest fear is probably creeping through your mind—something completely irrational, like heights, spiders or dolls. Like Indy and like us, the ancients had fears as well: They hated snakes. In ancient literature the serpent Leviathan was a symbol of chaos—a great monster to be subdued. When a god subdued Leviathan in the ancient stories, it showed his supremacy. Isaiah uses the same metaphor to proclaim that Yahweh can destroy all fears: “On that day, Yahweh will punish with [ His ] cruel, great and strong sword Leviathan, the fleeing serpent, and Leviathan, the twisting serpent, and [ He ] will kill the sea monster that is in the sea” ( Isa 27:1 ). Yahweh Himself mentions Leviathan when He resp...

August 12: At a Great Price Luke 9:1–27 It’s easy to be devoted to a leader or a vision when it doesn’t require much of us. In following Jesus , the disciples didn’t have that option. They were called to follow Jesus in difficult circumstances—ones that required them to put their lives on the line. After Jesus told His disciples about His impending death and resurrection, He defined the true meaning of discipleship. His words required their immediate response and intense loyalty: “And he said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross every day and follow me’ ” (L uke 9:23 ). Daily the disciples needed to commit to Him , the kingdom He was ushering in, and the possibility of facing death. We like to quote this verse, but we might not think it applies in the same way today. Because we don’t face the same circumstances the disciples faced, we might not take the call to loyalty quite as seriously. But loyalty shouldn’t be dictated...