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Bible in a Year : 2 Chronicles 13–14 John 12:1–26

Today's Scripture Philippians 2:12–18 (NIV) Insight  Today’s passage begins with “therefore” ( Philippians 2:12 ), building on the teaching in Philippians 2:1–11 to follow Jesus’ humility and selfless and sacrificial example as we live out this Christlike life. In instructing us to “continue to work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling” ( Philippians 2:12 ), Paul isn’t saying that we’re to work  for  our salvation, for our salvation is a gift from God ( Ephesians 2:8–9 ). Rather, Paul reminds us of our responsibility as believers in Jesus. Now that we’re saved, we’re to “work hard to show the results of [our] salvation” ( Philippians 2:12   NLT ). By the empowerment of the Spirit, we’re to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” ( Matthew 3:8 ), to show to the world that we’re “blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation,’ ” and to shine “like stars in the sky” in a world darkened by sin ( Philippians 2:15 ).

By: Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Philippians 2:12-18 Light Bearers 12 Therefore, my beloved, ( Phil. 1:5, 6; 4:15 )  as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, ( John 6:27, 29; 2 Pet. 1:10 )  work out your own salvation with ( Eph. 6:5 )  fear and trembling;   13 for ( Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 12:6; 15:10; 2 Cor. 3:5; Heb. 13:20, 21 )  it is God who works in you both to will and to do ( Eph. 1:5 )  for His g ood pleasure. 14 Do all things ( 1 Cor. 10:10; 1 Pet. 4:9 )  without ( grumbling )   complaining and ( Rom. 14:1 )  disputing, ( arguing )  15 that you may become blameless and ( innocent )   harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as ( Matt. 5:15, 16 )  lights in the world,  16 holding fast the word of life, so that ( 2 Cor. 1:14 )  I may rejoice in the day of Christ that ( Gal. 2:2 )...

Reflect & Pray What does it mean to you that “It is God who works in you”? What do you want Him to do in you? God, I’m grateful that You’re changing my heart and actions to make me like Jesus. Please give me a humble attitude to learn from You.

May 31: Fighting Loneliness 1 Chronicles 28:1–29:2; 2 Timothy 4:9–22 ; Psalm 90:1–17 Loneliness is one of the most disheartening feelings a person can know. Being alone in a time of pain is even worse. Several recent surveys suggest that lonely people—especially teenagers—subtly reach out through their social networks, desperately looking for someone who cares. In a world where anyone can get attention online, we’ve moved away from [the] authentic community. We continue to crave personal interactions—perhaps more so because we have [an] electronic witness to the interactions of others. We as Christians should see this as an opportunity to reach out to disenfranchised, lonely people and show the love of Christ to others. Paul’s second letter to Timothy illustrates how feelings of loneliness are amplified by pain. He makes one of the most candid statements in the Bible: “At my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the ...

Bible in a Year : 2 Chronicles 10–12 John 11:30–57

Today's Scripture Ecclesiastes 2:17–25 (NIV) Insight   Ecclesiastes 2:17–25  is a good example of why the book of Ecclesiastes is sometimes viewed as depressing. The author bemoans the futility of work because in the end we leave what we’ve worked for to someone else who hasn’t worked for it. In addition, we don’t know how the inheritor will use it—wisely or foolishly. It’s fascinating to read the author’s conclusion after his realization of the futility of working. He says to eat and drink and find satisfaction in our own toil ( Ecclesiastes 2:24 ). The focus is on finding satisfaction in the work itself, not in the results or the benefits gained from it. But the culmination of this passage brings us back to God. Without Him, there can be no enjoyment in anything ( Ecclesiastes 2:25 ).

By: Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Ecclesiastes 2:17-25 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun because ( Ps. 49:10 )  I must leave it to the man who will come after me.   19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.  20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.  21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his ( Lit.  portion )   heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.   22 ( Eccl. 1:3; 3:9 )  For what has [a] man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under...

May 31 Lesson 14 ( KJV ) Pursue Love and Justice Devotional Reading:   Deuteronomy 8:11–20 Background Scripture :   Hosea 11; 12 Hosea 11:1, 2, 7–10 1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the [Most High], none at all would exalt him. 8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. 10 They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall trem...

God’s Precious Gift “Grandlady, you’re the [best] cook in the whole world, you’re even better than Mommy,” I assure you, this was not the brightest comment I’d ever made. Politely, my Grandmother thanked me for the compliment, as she gently scolded me for the comparison. It got kinda quiet around the table, Mom looked down, Dad looked through me and I looked, well—pretty stupid. My grandmother was a good cook; she had a way of turning simple food into a feast. Her secret was the bacon grease she stored in an old coffee tin under the sink and used in many of her dishes. You have to remember that “health food” to a Southerner is a T-bone steak with fried potatoes and buttermilk biscuits. I later apologized to Mom, after all, she is a terrific cook. My intent was not to put her down, I was just trying to give my Grandmother a compliment and I couldn’t think of a higher compliment than to say she is better than Mom (who everyone knows is the best cook.) I’m glad I learned this lesson...

Reflect & Pray How much do you seek happiness through things that won’t last? Since the writer of Ecclesiastes didn’t know the hope of resurrection, how would you consider his search in light of   Romans 8:11 , Romans 8: 18–25 ? God, today I place You anew at the center of my living, working, joys, and disappointments, for without You nothing will satisfy or make sense.

Saturday, May 30, 2020, | Pentecostarion Seventh Saturday after Pascha Bright Vestments On the same date: Saturday of Souls Epistle Acts 28:1–31 Gospel John 21:15–25   Byzantine Lectionary (Gregorian) . Faithlife; Bellingham, WA, 2015; 2015. Print. Sat, May 30, 2020, (May 17, 2020) | Pentecostarion Sixth Saturday after Pascha Bright Vestments Epistle Acts 20:7–12 Gospel John 14:10–21   Byzantine Lectionary (Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016. Print. Saturday, May 30, 2020, | Pentecostarion Sixth Saturday after Pascha Bright Vestments Epistle Acts 20:7–12 Gospel John 14:10–21   Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) . Faithlife; Bellingham, WA, 2015; 2015. Print.

May 30: In Season and Out of Season 1 Chronicles 26:1–27:34; 2 Timothy 4:1–8 ; Psalm 89:23–52 I like to operate when I feel like I’m in control. When I haven’t gathered enough information or I feel uncertain of my circumstances, it’s tempting to avoid making a decision or taking action. Paul knew that this type of outlook was detrimental to Timothy’s ministry. He tells Timothy that regardless of his circumstances, he was required to act: “Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and instruction” ( 2 Tim 4:2 ). Paul uses the certainty of Christ’s return to motivate Timothy to stick to his task ( 2 Tim 4:1 ). Although Timothy experienced times when it was not always convenient for him to act on his calling, he had been admonished by Paul about the importance of the work they were doing together: their calling. He also knew the urgency of that calling. Christ’s return and the appearance of His kingdom was their motivation ( 2 Ti...

Bible in a Year : 2 Chronicles 7–9 John 11:1–29

Today's Scripture Jeremiah 31:33–37 (NIV) Insight  The Noahic covenant is one of the earliest recorded covenants in the Scriptures. The rainbow is the sign of God’s promise never again to destroy the earth with a flood ( Genesis 9:8–17 ). God made a covenant with Abraham when he called him to the land of Canaan and promised to make him a great nation, give him the land, and bless all nations through him ( Jeremiah 12:1–3 ;  Jeremiah  15:5–16 ;  Jeremiah  17:6–8 ). God sealed the Abrahamic covenant with the sign of circumcision ( Jeremiah  17:10–11 ). In the Davidic covenant, God promised David, Abraham’s descendant, that each king who sits on the throne of Israel would be his direct descenda nt ( 2 Samuel 7:8–16 ;  1 Chronicles 17:11–14 ). The sign is the promised Son of David ( Matthew 1:1 ;  Acts 13:23 ). The writer of Hebrews quotes   Jeremiah 31:31–34   and declares that Christ, the promised Son of David, is now the “mediator of a ...