DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

November 4 Cutting a Deal with God Mark 4:1–24 Sometimes we think we can make deals with God . We hear His commands, but we plan on being faithful later. Or we make light of our rebellious thoughts and actions, thinking they're only minor offenses in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps we think God will overlook them just as easily as we’ve rationalized them. Jesus put special emphasis on “having ears to hear” in the Gospel of Mark . He expected much more than a captive audience, though: “ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!’ And he said to them, ‘Take care what you hear! With the measure by which you measure out, it will be measured out to you, and will be added to you’ ” ( Mark 4:23–24 ). Jesus issued this command shortly after giving His disciples special insight into the parable of the Sower and the Seed . The rocky soil, the thorns, the road, the good soil—these represented various responses to the good news. The good soil was receptive to the seeds. Bu...

October 31 Speaking the Truth Daniel 11:1–12:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–18 “And now I will reveal the truth to you” ( Dan 11:2 ). How much better would our world be if more of us were willing to take this kind of stand—to make these kinds of statements? The truth Daniel refers to are the prophecies foretelling what will happen in the Persian Empire. Great power and wealth are coming, and with them comes the fear of how that power and wealth may be used. If we read between the lines of the prophet’s statements in Dan 11 , we can feel the trepidation. He is concerned that wickedness will once again sweep over the land. Such was the case for Paul: “Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored … and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people, for not all have the faith” ( 2 Thess 3:1–2 ). Paul was aware that unbelievers would seek his life. He wasn’t sure what the future would look like. We can imagine the fear that he must have felt, wondering, “Wha...

October 30 An Obstructed View Job 42:1–9 We need to see ourselves as we truly are, but we can’t do that on our own. Our communities can help us glimpse a more accurate reflection, but we truly know ourselves only when we know God . His light brings us understanding. After suffering incredible loss, Job tries to understand his pain. He speaks some truth, but he often misunderstands God’s motives and minimizes His love . As his friends try to help him grapple with his grief, they sometimes point out truth, but more often they cause even more pain and confusion. It’s only when God arrives to enlighten Job’s understanding that everything changes. First God questions Job’s knowledge ( Job 38:19–21 ), power ( Job 38:25–38 ), and ideas about justice ( Job 40:10–12 ). Then He shows Job that He is all of these things. The realization exposes Job’s heart. “Then Job answered Yahweh and said, ‘I know that you can do all things, and any scheme from you will not be thwarted. “Who is th...

DAILY, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

October 29 Apocalyptic at Its Best Daniel 7:1–8:27 Daniel is full of spooky scenes. If Daniel doesn’t scare you a bit, you’ve probably watched too many horror movies. Apocalyptic literature in the Bible has a way of playing tricks on us. It’s full of vivid imagery that can be haunting—and that’s intentional. The pictures it paints are meant to stay with us. We’re meant to remember what these passages are teaching. Of course, the same can be said of the entire Bible , but apocalyptic literature is especially vivid because its message requires us to choose: to follow or to turn away from God at the most important time—the end. The dreams Daniel has, including those recorded in Dan 7:3–14 , are images of what is and is to come. The beasts in Daniel were evocative symbols for his audience. When they heard of the lion with eagles, they envisioned Babylon ( Dan 7:4 ). When the bear appeared, they thought of Media ( Dan 7:5 ). Likewise, the leopard with four wings and heads symbolize...

October 28 Respect 1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 Instead of easing the burdens of our church leaders, we often add to them. The sometimes thankless job of ministry is weighed down with our taking and not giving, our complaining, and our squirming under authority. We can see from Paul’s letters that church communities haven’t changed much since the first century. In his letter to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul requests: “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them beyond all measure in love, because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves” ( 1 Thess 5:12 ). A passage like this might convict us for our bad attitude or lack of service. We might make a greater effort to love and respect those who are in positions of authority. Or we might try to ease the load of our leaders by serving in our communities. But unless we address the disorder within our hearts, our efforts won’t lead to the peace ...

October 27 Lesson 9 THE BLESSING PASSES TO JACOB DEVOTIONAL READING: John 4:1–15 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Genesis 27, 28 ; 32:22–30 ; 35:9–15 GENESIS 28:1A , 10–22 KEY VERSE "Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." — Genesis 28:15 LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to: 1. Summarize the context and content of Jacob’s dream at Bethel and his reaction to it. 2. Compare and contrast the “awakening” of someone to God’s presence today with Jacob’s sudden awareness of God’s presence . 3. Suggest one or two ways to demonstrate actively his or her awareness of God’s presence . LESSON OUTLINE Introduction       A.      If? Because? Regardless?       B.      Lesson Background           ...

Lesson  October 27, 2013 The Blessing Passes to Jacob Genesis 27 , 28 ; 32:22-30 ; 35:9-15 By Sam E. Stone Last week’s lesson concluded with Isaac becoming extremely prosperous ( Genesis 26:13 ). He and his family moved south toward Beersheba, where his father Abraham had lived. Genesis 27 describes how Jacob tricked his father into giving him the special blessing that normally would have gone to his elder brother, Esau ( 27:1-40 ). When Esau learned of Jacob’s deception he cried, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” ( v. 36 ). Esau planned to kill him after his father died. When his mother, Rebekah, learned of this, she urged Jacob to go to her brother Laban in Haran and live there until Esau’s anger subsided. She urged Isaac to send Jacob on this trip since he needed to find a wife who believed in the one God —not one of the pagan Canaanite women nearby. Isaac Blesses Gen...

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 27, 2013 | PENTECOST TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST               Old Testament       Genesis 50:15–21              Psalm       Psalm 38               New Testament       Philippians 1:3–11              Gospel       Matthew 18:23–35 Christian Worship One Year Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 27, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 YEAR C              Old Testament       Joel 2:23–32              Psalm       Psalm 65 (UMH 789)               New Testament       2 Timothy 4:6–8 , 16–18               Gospel       Luke 18:9–14 Vanderbilt Divinity Library. United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 27, 2013 | TRINITY TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY              Old Testament       Micah 6:6–8              Psalm       Psalm 116:12–19              Epistle       Philippians 1:3–11              Gospel       Matthew 18:21–35 Lutheran Service Book Historic (One Year) Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 27, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 YEAR C               Psalm       Psalm 84 or Psalm 84:1–7              First Reading       ( Jeremiah 14:1–6 ) 7–10 , 19–22              Second Reading       2 Timothy 4:6–8 , 16–18               Gospel       Luke 18:9–14 The Episcopal Church . Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 27, 2013 | ORDINARY TIME THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL               First Reading       Sirach 35:12–14 , 16–18               Response       Psalm 34:7a               Psalm       Psalm 34:2–3 , 17–19 , 23               Second Reading       2 Timothy 4:6–8 , 16–18               Gospel Acclamation       2 Corinthians 5:19               Gospel       Luke 18:9–14 Catholic Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

October 27  Dreams of Redemption Daniel 4:1–37 I've known people who seemed beyond saving—who seemed to have gone too far down the wrong path to ever turn to the right one. But in the Bible we see that this is not the case. God is capable of turning anyone’s heart. One of the most shocking examples is Nebuchadnezzar. In a decree to all the nations he rules (and perhaps other nations as well), Nebuchadnezzar remarks: “It is pleasing to me to recount the signs and wonders that the Most High God worked for me. How great are his signs and wonders, how strong is his kingdom, an everlasting kingdom; and his sovereignty is from generation to generation” (Dan 4:2–3). He then goes on to recount a dream that Yahweh planted in his mind. Before Nebuchadnezzar experiences redemption, he tastes humiliation and endures great trials ( Dan 4:28–33 ). But Yahweh does not intend to merely humble the king— He intends to make him a righteous man who can be used for His good purposes. We don...

October 26  Red Ropes and Restricted Access 1 Thessalonians 3:6–4:12 I often want to keep certain areas of my life roped off. God can reign over some of my relationships, but not to the extent that I need to make gut-wrenching decisions to fall in line with His will . God can move in my Bible study, but I keep the chaos of my work life outside the bounds of His sovereignty . I am in charge, I think, and I allow only restricted access. We might not readily admit it, but subconsciously we often operate with this mindset. Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about the nature of faith. He spent time with the believers in Thessalonica, instructing them about God and life. He now sends word to encourage them to move along in faith. “We ask you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus that, just as you have received from us how it is necessary for you to live and to please God , just as indeed you are living, that you progress even more” ( 1 Thess 4:1 ). He continues to instruct them in s...

October 25 Good Opportunities and Difficult Decisions Daniel 1:1–2:16 When Daniel is invited to dine at the king’s table—a great honor reserved for the favored ( Dan 1:1–4 )—he turns down the offer. Instead of eating food and wine fit for a king, Daniel and the other Israelites settle on a diet of vegetables and water ( Dan 1:12 ). Daniel’s decision seems to contradict human nature. When a good situation comes along (like being invited to eat at the royal table), we often jump at the chance. Yet in doing so, we may fail to consider the ramifications. Daniel knows that eating at the king’s table means compromising Yahweh’s commands against eating certain foods. So when he’s offered a great opportunity, he is bold enough to say no and to offer an alternative ( Dan 1:10–14 ). Daniel knows that God will provide for those who love Him . He also knows that being in God’s will is more important than anything else, even if it means facing opposition. Paul’s statement in 1 Thess 2:2 ...

October 24  Constantly in Prayer 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Desperate circumstances often dictate our prayers. We pray for others when they’re in need, or we thank God for others when they fill our needs. But how often do we thank God for the faith of those around us? When Paul writes to the believers in Thessalonica, he opens by saying, “We give thanks to God always concerning all of you, making mention constantly in our prayers” ( 1 Thess 1:2 ). Paul and his disciples thank God for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father ” ( 1 Thess 1:3 ). Those who appear to be moving along well by our standards may be struggling in their faith. Other believers, just like us, go through ebbs and flows in their journey. It shouldn’t take a catastrophe for us to recognize their need for prayer. We can learn something from Paul, a church planter and disciple maker who was no doubt keenly aware of the g...

October 23  The Time, Space, and Money Continuum Ezekiel 45:1–46:24; Revelation 22:1–21 When we think of setting things apart for God , we usually think of money first. But what about our time or even a place? Ezekiel 45:1 speaks of setting aside land for God : “And when you allocate the land as an inheritance, you shall provide a contribution for Yahweh as a holy portion from the land, its length being twenty-five thousand cubits and its width ten thousand cubits; it is holy in all its territory, all around” ( Ezek 45:1 ). We’re comfortable with the idea of donating money; we recognize that others need our help and our churches need our support. But there are other reasons for giving. Giving itself is a righteous and perhaps sacred act. It forces us to acknowledge that all we have belongs to God—He is the provider. Giving puts us in right standing before God in a powerful way. Similarly, allocating time and space to God helps us understand our place before Him . When ...

October 22  The New Jerusalem Revelation 21:9–27 We are being made new. God is working in us now, and He will one day complete His work . Scripture speaks of the ultimate hope of this renewal: our reunion with God . For the first-century Jews, the new Jerusalem signified God once again dwelling with His people . In his revelation, John describes the relationship between God and His people when He completes His work in us: “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any longer, and mourning or wailing or pain will not exist any longer. The former things have passed away” ( Rev 21:3–4 ) . The Lamb of God has achieved this picture of new creation and dwelling in God’s presence . His light is present throughout the imagery: “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon, that they shi...

October 22  The New Jerusalem Revelation 21:9–27 We are being made new. God is working in us now, and He will one day complete His work . Scripture speaks of the ultimate hope of this renewal: our reunion with God . For the first-century Jews, the new Jerusalem signified God once again dwelling with His people . In his revelation, John describes the relationship between God and His people when He completes His work in us: “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any longer, and mourning or wailing or pain will not exist any longer. The former things have passed away” ( Rev 21:3–4 ). The Lamb of God has achieved this picture of new creation and dwelling in God’s presence . His light is present throughout the imagery: “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon, that the...

October 21: Visions of Grandeur Ezekiel 41:1–42:20; Revelation 20:7–21:8 In times of struggle, a vision of grandeur glory is often enough to move us beyond our current circumstances. We find encouragement in glimpsing the vastness and power of God’s plan . When Ezekiel and God’s people are weary and desperate for hope, God gives His prophet an unusual vision: He shows Ezekiel the temple—not as it is, but as it should be. The temple symbolizes Yahweh’s presence among His people . It points them toward proper worship and life. It reminds them not only of who He is , but who they are meant to be. As we tour the temple with Ezekiel, we see that God intends to restore not only the temple, but also proper worship ( Ezek 40:1–42:20 ). John the apostle’s vision recorded in Revelation echoes Ezekiel’s: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea did not exist any longer. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming ...

 October 20, 2013 Lesson A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac  ( Genesis 15–17 ; 21:9-21 ; 26:1-25 ) By Sam E. Stone Abraham is described in Scripture as an example of faith, and he certainly is ( see Hebrews 11:8 ). But even “the father of the faithful” had his shortcomings. At one point in his life, he and Sarah seemed to doubt that God would fulfill his promise to give them a child. Sarah suggested they take things into their own hands. She urged Abraham to sleep with her handmaid, Hagar. He did and fathered a child—Ishmael. Their attempt to run ahead of God led to tragic results, the effects of which are still obvious in the world today. The present hostility between Jews and Arabs can be traced back to their mistake. At the time of today’s lesson, Ishmael was about 16 years old. He mocked Isaac and made fun of him. Sarah distressed Abraham by asking him to send Ishmael and his mother away. Such emotional upheaval can easily occur in blended or polygamous fa...

October 20 Lesson 8 BLESSINGS FOR ISHMAEL AND ISAAC DEVOTIONAL READING: Hebrews 11:17–22 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Genesis 15–17 ; 21:9–21 ; 26:1–25 GENESIS 21:12–14 , 17–21 KEY VERSE " God said unto Abraham, … In Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed." — Genesis 21:12 , 13 FIRST THINGS Unit 2: First Nation LESSONS 6–9 LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to: 1. Describe God’s separate blessings on Isaac and Ishmael. 2. Explain the superior blessing of Isaac over that of Ishmael even though Ishmael was born first. 3. Suggest a means of sharing one’s faith in Christ with a Muslim. LESSON OUTLINE Introduction       A.      Moses Easterly Lard       B.      Lesson Background           I.      Promises for Ishmael (GENESIS 21:12–14, 17–2...

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 20, 2013 | PENTECOST TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST              Old Testament       Deuteronomy 1:26–36              Psalm       Psalm 139              New Testament       Ephesians 6:10–17               Gospel       John 4:46–54 Christ ian Worship One Year Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 20, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR C              Psalm       Psalm 121              First Reading       Genesis 32:3–8 , 22–30              Second Reading       2 Timothy 3:14–4:5              Gospel       Luke 18:1–8a The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 20, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR C              Old Testament       Jeremiah 31:27–34              Psalm       Psalm 119:97–104 or Psalm 19 (UMH 750)              New Testament       2 Timothy 3:14–4:5              Gospel       Luke 18:1–8 Index of Readings OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:27–34 Vanderbilt Divinity Library. United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 20, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR C              Psalm       Psalm 121              First Reading       Genesis 32:3–8 , 22–30              Second Reading       2 Timothy 3:14–4:5              Gospel       Luke 18:1–8a The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010. Print.

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 20, 2013 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR C Old Testament & Psalm , Option I              Old Testament       Jeremiah 31:27–34              Psalm       Psalm 119:97–104   or   Old Testament & Psalm , Option II              Old Testament       Genesis 32:22–31              Psalm       Psalm 121              New Testament       2 Timothy 3:14–4:5              Gospel       Luke 18:1–8 Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

October 20: It Has Been Granted to You Revelation 19:11–20:6 “It has been granted to her that she be dressed in bright, clean fine linen” ( Rev 19:8 ), announces a voice from heaven in John’s revelation. The voice describes the bride who waits in anticipation—representing the believers who wait in expectation of being reunited with Christ. The text contrasts the fine linen of the bride with the purple and scarlet cloth of the harlot, Babylon, who represents all that oppose God’s reign (Rev 18:16). The harlot receives criticism for her infidelity: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.… For all the nations have drunk from the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich from the power of her sensuality” ( Rev 18:2–3 ). But the cry goes out in and among Babylon: “Come out from her, my people” (Rev 18:4). The bride, who is preparing herself for the wedding celebratio...

October 19: Big Picture Hope Ezekiel 38:1–39:24 ; Revelation 19:1–10 Some Bible passages are so perplexing that we’re not really sure what to make of them. Such is the case with Ezek 38:1–39:24 . As we closely examine this text, we can easily lose sight of its message. We can find ourselves so lost in the details that the big picture becomes fuzzy. So what is the big picture presented in this passage? God is on the side of His people ; He will fight for them. This message is comforting. We all experience times when we feel like an ancient Israelite, lost and wandering in the desert. We go through times when we're not sure what’s next or how it will all end up. But when we realize that God is there to war on our behalf—even in the midst of supreme chaos and paradise interrupted ( compare Ezek 37 )—our viewpoint quickly shifts. When we feel as though we’re blindly grasping for answers in the smoke that is the future, startling realizations like the type Ezekiel envisions can p...

October 18: A New Way of Being Revelation 18:1–24 God calls us to live lives that are distinguished by His light , clearly separate from our old way of being. He wants to make us a new creation by separating the light from the darkness within our own hearts. In Revelation , John describes God calling His people out of Babylon: “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out from her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins, and so that you will not receive her plagues, because her sins have reached up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes’ ” ( Rev 18:4–5 ). Sometimes we can be separated from our former ways of living in the literal sense, but the light has not yet pierced our hearts. We still live in “Babylon” because it exists right where we are. While we have inflated our position, we've failed to let God’s light pierce our lives. We’ve failed to live lives that respond to His work . Becoming separate involves putting off the old ways of ...

October 17: Shepherding Is a Tough Business Ezekiel 34:1–35:15 Leadership requires accountability, yet many leaders of the past considered themselves above rebuke. Even when their deeds failed to catch up to them in their own lifetimes, history judged them clearly. History often remembers and records people as they really are. And if history doesn’t recall the truth, God does. Ezekiel was firm in his rebuke of the leaders of his time— Yahweh commanded him to be: “And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and you must say to them, to the shepherds, “Thus says the Lord Yahweh : ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who were feeding themselves! Must not the shepherds feed the flock? The fat you eat, and you clothe yourself with the wool; the well-nourished animals you slaughter, but you do not feed the flock’ ” ’ ” ( Ezek. 34:1–3 ). During Ezekiel’s lifetime, the leaders of God’s people were not being leaders at all. They ...

October 16: Mercy and Judgment Revelation 16:1–21 “ God is judge,” we like to say—especially when someone is struggling with injustice. When we get to the book of Revelation , though, we might struggle to understand God’s judgment . Yet even as John describes God dispensing judgment, he emphasizes God’s righteousness and loving nature . He tells us we should not forget that God is a righteous judge . The Bible is unapologetic and straightforward when speaking about God’s judgment . This is especially true in Revelation . Here the judgment God exacts echoes the plagues that He sent on Pharaoh and Egypt in the book of Exodus —blood, darkness, fiery hail, and locusts. Although Pharaoh was given multiple opportunities to obey God’s request , [ He ]   still chose his own way. By turning the bodies of water into blood, God spoke what Pharaoh should have realized: “By this you will know that I am Yahweh ” ( Exodus 7:17 ). Revelation 16 pronounces God righteous not in spite ...