DAY 1 - June 15, 2009
TITLE: “NOW”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “…I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” II Corinthians 6:1-2
Have you ever had a time when you borrowed a book from the library and returned it past the due date? Overdue books usually result in a small fine. It is the cost of being forgetful or not getting the books in on time.
There is a man in
The 44-year-old was also charged with possession of stolen property. George was a continuing education student when he began checking out books. A library spokesperson said it's not unusual for students, and professors, to check out between 100 to 200 books at one time, especially if they are doing research. The library has now put a limit on how many books can be checked out at each visit. Most of George's books were on history and philosophy. Perhaps you are wondering how or why a person let so many books become overdue.
Perhaps in our own lives we have over due things, thankful words of gratitude or prayers, or ministry not yet done. The Bible talks about the urgency of today. Procrastination is a costly and damaging tool the enemy uses. Paul makes it clear that now is the time of God’s grace and favor. Now is the day of salvation. Is there something you are procrastinating?
Every day is filled with opportunities to respond to the grace of God. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16. Ask God to help you to use the opportunities of today now.
DAY 2 – June 16, 2009
TITLE: “STUMBLING BLOCK”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” II Corinthians 6:3
Most of us at one time or another have probably stumbled over something. I remember one day in my first church, when I had walked out of the church onto the parking lot. I had propped the door open, but I noticed it was starting to shut, as what I had propped it open with was not holding it. I ran to try to catch the door, forgetting that out in the parking lot was bumper a few feet in front of the door. It caused me not only to stumble, but to crash. It was definitely an “ouch” moment.
Paul did not want to put a stumbling block in anyone’s path. He was committed to keeping the path for others as clear as possible. The journey is challenging enough without extra stumbling blocks along the way.
In his letter to Romans, Paul wrote, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” Romans 14:13. For the Apostle Paul it was a decision and commitment not to be a stumbling block. It was an act of the will.
If you have ever had someone say or do something that was a stumbling block for you, it is easy to realize why not being a stumbling block was so important to Paul. To not be a stumbling block is to intentionally not do anything or say anything that would cause someone else to stumble.
There are many things that Paul chose not to do. He did not want to be a stumbling block to others. He even speaks of things that were not maybe wrong in themselves, but might be harmful to someone else. Concerning eating food sacrificed to idols. Paul wrote, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” I Corinthians 8:9. His commitment to not becoming a stumbling block to others is seen in his conclusion in I Corinthians 8. He wrote, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” I Corinthians 8:13. Is God showing you anything in your life today that might be a stumbling block to others?
PRAYER: Precious Lord, show me today any habits, actions, or attitudes that might be a stumbling block to others. Grant me the courage and strength to stop them, or make the changes in my life that need to be made through Your Holy Spirit, so I am not a stumbling block to others.
DAY 3 – June 17, 2009
TITLE: “SERVANTS OF GOD”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;” II Corinthians 6:4
The Hebrew word for “servant” became an important term in scripture. The Old Testament shows servants managing possessions, looking after family affairs, giving counsel, and carrying messages. However, servant hood goes beyond just doing actions of service. It carries with it a strong sense of identity. Like the prophet Isaiah and King David, we are called servants of God.
Jesus accepted the servant role as prophesied long ago by the prophet Isaiah. Like Paul, following in His footprints, we are called to be servants. As Jesus washed the dusty feet of others, served tables, touched untouchables, and ministered to others, we are to follow His footprints. Paul instructs that, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:4-7
As God’s servants we are to live in a way that pleases the Lord in all we do. Paul wrote, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” II Timothy 2:22. Later on Paul wrote, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” II Timothy 2:24.
As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way at all times. Being a servant of God is not an event, but a lifestyle. As servants of God we are always on duty serving Him in all we do. Will you serve God in all you do today? Ask God to make you His servant today in all you do.
“Make me a servant Humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant Make me a servant
Make me a servant today.” Kelly Willard
DAY 4 – June 18, 2009
TITLE: “KINDNESS”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “In purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;” II Corinthians 6:6
Paul speaks of many characteristic that are to be part of our lives because we are servants of God. Because of who we are, we commend ourselves in purity, understanding, patience, kindness in the Holy Spirit, and in sincere love. Each of these characteristics reflects the character of God in our lives. They identify us as servants of God.
Among the characteristics mentioned, stands out the characteristic of kindness. Paul lists it in I Corinthians as an attribute of love when he writes, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” I Corinthians 13:4. Because of who we are, kindness should be seen in all we do. It is the natural clothing of the Christian. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” In his letter to Ephesians Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Every day, for close to seven years, Walter "Buck" Swords cursed and stomped his feet in his favorite restaurant, Luby's Cafeteria, demanding that he get his food exactly as he wanted it. Every day, for close to seven years, his preferred waitress, Melina Salazar, offered a patient smile and did whatever she could to help her most stubborn customer. After years of thankless service, Salazar was rewarded. When Swords died at 89 years old, just days before Christmas (2007), he left Salazar $50,000 and a 2000 Buick.
"I still can't believe it," she said. After all, she says, he was always "kind of mean."
Kindness may not always be easy, but it is the right response to others because of who we are. As servants of God, kindness is the order of the day, every day, regardless of the circumstances or settings we find ourselves in. God can use the kindness to His servants to make a difference in the lives of others. Mamie Adams was a lady who always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp machine in the lobby. "I know," said Mamie, 'but the machine won't ask me about my arthritis."
People are in need of kindness today. As God’s servants, kindness should be evident to others in all you do. Kindness is the overflow of an intimate relationship with our Lord and Master.
DAY 5 – June 19, 2009
TITLE: “MAKING MANY RICH”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” II Corinthians 6:10
I have met people who are wealthy because of the actions of others. Perhaps it was a parent that left them a sizeable inheritance or someone who invested in them as a young apprentice or business person. Regardless how it happened, they were not rich because of just their own effort, but because others invested in them.
As Christians we are rich in the things of Christ because of His investment in us. Paul wrote, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you though his poverty might become rich.” II Corinthians 8:9. God reached out to us in our spiritual poverty so that through Him we might become rich in the things of God. One poet described the riches we have as a child of the king this way.
“My Father is rich in
houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world
in His hands!
Of
rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold. His coffers are full- He has riches untold.
My Father’s own Son,
the Savior of men, once wandered o’er earth as the poorest of them.
But now He is reigning
forever on high, And will give me a home in heavn’ by and by.
I once was an outcast
stranger on earth, a sinner by choice, and alien by birth!
But I’ve been adopted;
my name’s written down, I’m heir to a mansion, a robe, and crown!
I’m a child of the
King! A child of the King! With Jesus, my Savior, I’m a child of the King!”
As servants of God we are children of the King. In Christ we possess all things. We are rich in Christ which is the only treasure that really matters.
As a servant of God, Paul was committed to making others rich in the things of Christ. He invested his life in others so they might know the riches of Christ. We are not here just to invest in ourselves. We are here to invest our lives in others so that they might become rich in the things of Christ. Who does God want you to invest in? God can use you to make someone rich in the things you do for God today. Walk in a close relationship with God today, and let God work in you, and through you, for the sake of others.