Busy, Often Too Busy

December 23
Daily Reading – Haggai / Revelation 17

GOD SAID:

Haggai 1:5-6 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

  Work, work, work, day after day, and it seems to get you no where. In today’s industrial mindset it seems your family well being is the last thing considered in the corporate bottom line. Most feel if you don’t want to do the job, leave; hundred’s of people are in line to do your job, and probably for less pay. Sometimes a bad work environment causes this situation. Sometimes it’s our own desire to have more. More of what we really don’t need, just want. More of what the neighbor has that appears to make them happy, but doesn’t. It’s the misguided notion, “I deserve better.” At some point we have ask, better than what? Better than who? How much better does it have to get? Better than the rest of the world? In America, we’re for the most part financially better off now. Better than the neighbors? When you do get better than your current neighbors, you’ll probably move, only to find a new neighbor to compete with. When is enough, enough?

    The people of Israel had been given enough. Yet, in their drive for more they had neglected God, and the House of God. Not because they hated God. Not because they didn’t want God’s house to be built. They just got too busy with self to think about God. In without realizing it, they had become their own gods. However, with some reminding of the Lord, It says in Haggai 1:14, their hearts were stirred for the work of the Lord, and they did so. Let’s never get too busy for God.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        To provide a safe haven of love and security at home, we must always place God in the center of our life. In Haggai 1:5, the Lord said; “Consider your ways.” Maybe we should all do the same thing. Do we neglect God? He never neglects us.

Have we considered our ways?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

All With One Voice

December 21 & 22
December 21 – Zephaniah / Revelation 16
December 21 – NO Daily Reading

GOD SAID:

Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

   Today, almost everywhere in the world, we live in multicultural communities. In the city I live in, (Holland, Mi.) there are several different nationalities. Many speak English and/or Spanish around here. We also have some Vietnamese, German, Korean, Japanese, and more. Since Holland was founded as a Dutch community, we still have many families with very close ties to people in the Netherlands. While growing up, I had a friend in school who had moved here in about fourth grade from their. He spoke a little English, as it had been taught in school in the Netherlands. His mom however, spoke little to no English. I could barely understand a thing she would say, and she couldn’t understand me either. When I would say something, she would look at her son Robert and say, “Wat zei hij?” Which means, “what did he say?” I could only hope he told her the truth.

   God caused all this confusion because of man’s disobedience. Way back in Genesis, after the flood, God said that people should move around the planet to populate the world. Instead, they all just stayed in one place. So, at the tower of Babel, He confused peoples languages so they would obey His command and move. However, here in Zephaniah we’re told that in the end, God will give us all one language again. “A pure language.” No one knows what that might be. What we do know, is that we will all, with one voice call upon the Lord.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

   I sat in tears, as a congregation of several thousand, mostly Pastors, sang, “How Great Thou Art.” It was like nothing I had ever heard. Now imagine all of heaven with one voice in one language singing the praises of our God. I get chill bumps thinking of it.

Can you imagine the Joy?


 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

    Won’t it be wonderful to gather Around The Throne of the Lord. Over and again we read of The Day of The Lord in:

●  Another Chance
●  Arise, Depart
●  Age Old Question
●  Anger Of The Lord
●  Answer Me, Please
●  All With One Voice

    Following that time, He said He would make all things new. Then, we who are His own will gather Around The Throne to sing praise with one voice. Amen.

SUNDAY:

        Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart. Whatever scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs

December 23, 2019	Haggai	Revelation 17
December 24, 2019	Zechariah 1-3	Revelation 18
December 25, 2019	Zechariah 4-6	Revelation 19
December 26, 2019	Zechariah 7-10	Revelation 20
December 27, 2019	Zechariah 11-14	Revelation 21
December 28, 2019	Malachi	Revelation 22
December 29, 2019	No Passages Assigned

It says in
Revelation 21:5

And he that sat upon
the throne said, Behold,
I make all things new.
And he said unto me,
Write: for these words are
true and faithful.”

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Answer Me, Please

December 20
Daily Reading – Habakkuk / Revelation 14-15

GOD SAID:

Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

  Yak, yak, yak, blah, blah, blah. Some people will never shut up. There’s not one moment of silence in their life. Would that drive you crazy? What would drive you even crazier is complete silence. It may seem like a blessing at first, but after a while, silence is actually deafening. Couples do it. An argument comes up, one or both get angry, and the silent treatment begins. After a while, little notes start popping up in the house. Neither wants to be the one to give in. The, “I want it my way” attitude kicks in. That is not love. Love is giving and kind. The silent treatment can be a tool, or, it can be a weapon.

    In today’s verse Habakkuk faced the silent treatment of God. First he states the obvious. God cannot be around sin. It’s like shining a light into a closet trying to see the darkness. It can’t be done. So Habakkuk asks; if you can’t look at sin, how is it that you watch all this wickedness, and don’t say or do anything? You see, God has a different schedule than we do. Yes, He would punish those who were punishing Israel. Yet, He also needed to remain silent for now, to allow Israel to realize the consequences’ for their sin. This was probably as hard on God as it was on Habakkuk. Keeping silent with someone you love is hard to do. God’s love only let that silence continue so long, then He spoke up in the next chapter. Silence is a great communicator. However, it must be regulated by love. God prefers to answer us, than to be silent.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Silence is not really golden. However, with very few words you can make a day go from gloomy, to dreamy. You don’t have to say a lot. A simple, sincere; “I Love You” will most often do just fine.

Have you spoken out loud to God today,
and told Him that you love Him?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Anger Of The Lord

December 19
Daily Reading – Nahum / Revelation 12-13  

GOD SAID:

Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

  I occasionally like to watch the old western movies. They are for the most part, pretty predictable. There is a loud mouth bad guy, trying to do bad things. There is the sheriff in town, who attempts to be the sole enforcer of the law. He may have a deputy, but always needs more help. Then there is the hero. This person is often very quiet, and peaceful by nature. Not a showoff. Not a bragger. Not too scary. That is, until they run into the bad guy, who in some way pushes their buttons. Then this quiet, peaceful, hero displays his underlying strengths and abilities. He suddenly becomes “Super cowboy,” and rides in to save the day. After that, when all is safe again, he slips back into the background until he is needed again. You just have to love those heroes. They’re strong, wise, and able to do great things, yet they never show off or brag. They don’t have too.

    God is my greatest Super Hero. He’s strong, wise, and able to do the greatest things. Yet, today’s verse says; “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked:…” I’m so glad He doesn’t get angry easily. If He did, you and I would be in great trouble. He never dismisses sin, or wickedness. However, He is patient with us, providing a remedy for that sin through His Son Jesus. Which everyone would do well to avail themselves of before they have to face the anger of the Lord.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    When we make Him Lord of our life, the same chapter that warns of His anger, also tells us in Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” He really is always the Hero in all this.

Does God know you trust Him?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Age Old Question

December 18
Daily Reading – Micah 5-7 / Revelation 10-11  

GOD SAID:

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

  People have said for ages, “I wish I knew what the will of God was for my life.” I realize that many are looking for a personal answer to their particular life situation. Yet, if we would take to heart what Micah 6:8 tells us, it would touch every conceivable area of our Christian lives.

    “Do Justly.” In plain English, do what is right. That means doing what is right with others, but also, doing what is right toward a Holy God.

   “Love Mercy.” Everybody loves mercy when it’s extended to them. When God, because of His Son Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, does not punish us for our sinful life when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour, but instead promises us a home in Heaven with Him, well friend that is the ultimate picture of mercy. We do not deserve that. Now God wants us to show that mercy to others. To be that picture of Him in this world.

   “Walk Humbly with Thy God.” How in the world can sinful man, even though saved, ever hope to do what’s right, and be merciful to those who may have hurt us? The only way is to walk daily, and humbly, “with thy God.” You notice it didn’t say, “be humble,” as if it’s something that was once done, and over. It says to “Walk Humbly.” It’s a journey through life that never ends. It touches every part of our life, and answers an age old question about God’s will.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        We go on this daily journey to obey God’s will with the help of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:22-23 says; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

So, how are we doing?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12