For some years I’ve made it a practice to study the Bible with the aid of the St. James Daily Devotional Guide. This little periodical is published by the Fellowship of St. James out of Chicago, and I find it very helpful, always faithful to Scripture. In studying the readings for today, I was s†ruck by the following questions:
Psalms 103:1-22. It is in man’s nature to bless God humbly and gratefully. And in God’s nature to render man undeserved blessings. What is the best example of this mutually loving fellowship or kingdom that I have seen in my lifetime? What can one person do to start such a regime?
Ezra 2:1-70. Honor roll of the faithful Israelites who were found fit to return to Jerusalem. When have I been part of a church or other religious group that underwent such a sharp separation? Who was hurt? What did we learn?
Philippians 3:12-21. Paul reflects on how he does ministry, and his hope of saving those still lost. Verse 14, am I as dedicated as Paul was, when he speaks of “pressing toward the mark”? Verse 18, are there some foes of Jesus in our community who actually deserve to be called “enemies of the cross?’ What should my church do about †hem?
Luke 12:22-34. Jesus continues to teach about how to find and keep true riches. It all sounds lofty and bold, but then a skeptic happens by and starts heckling. Peter spots me—me!—a newly minted disciple, standing at the edge of the crowd and says, “Take care of him.” So I’m left with all the messy details of a world based on money. What is Jesus’ guidance on the economic “in between”?
Thanks for your interest in these Bible notes, which I’ve been publishing each day for over ten years now. Comments and discussion are always welcome. Email me at AndrewsJK@aol.com