Today in the Word for September 9-13
Today in The Word
Monday Sept 9, 2019
Have you noticed how quickly people take offense? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. King Solomon has a word of advice for his son in Proverbs 19:11:
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Many people seem to wear their feelings on their sleeves. They can be offended by the perception (or misperception) of being treated unfairly. Our culture seems to be perpetually, or professionally offended---by another political party, by the management, by labor, by our parents, by our children, by people with an agenda, by other people who do not embrace our agenda.
Is it possible to just let some things slide? It is quite possible that the snide comment that you overheard was meant to embarrass you. So what? Can you overlook it? There is still bigotry, ignorance and close-mindedness in the world. Is it your job to point it out at every turn? After all, is it possible you are ignorant on some points?
Developing patience generally makes it easier to overlook an offense. The impatient person is more likely to pop off about someone else’s bad behavior. One aspect of becoming patient is to give others more time to grow up and get healthier.
So, next time, let it slide?
And that’s the Word from Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in The Word
Tuesday Sept 10, 2019
Do you have a quick temper? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. King Solomon has a word of advice for his son in Proverbs 21:23-24:
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. The proud and arrogant person— “Mocker” is his name—behaves with insolent fury.”
One of my friends the other day was commenting on a mutual acquaintance and said:
“Boy, she has sure lost her filter.”
What did my friend mean? She meant the person was blurting out whatever she was thinking about others without thinking about it first. She had ‘lost her filter.’ She was no longer guarding her mouth. Of course, we all get angry. Sometimes we are prone to pride and self-defense. But God is displeased with hot heads that give vent to their fury eagerly.
Proverbs 20:22 advises:
“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
Humans have a tendency to jump the gun. We tend to do things that properly belong to others while not acting in others cases when we could make a big difference. What if we were to trust God enough to not fly off the handle? Do we realize that he knows our situation perfectly and is committed to our best (whether we understand what is truly best for us or not?
We should trust God has our back enough to guard our tongues from fits of rage.
And that’s the Word from David Baker of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Wednesday Sept 11, 2019
Do we take some of God’s character and ability for granted sometimes? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. I was reading my father-in-law’s CT scan a few days ago, and several entries described a problem in one of his internal organs, and then it read:
Liver: unremarkable.
Kidneys: unremarkable
These organs had no problems. They were acting just as they were designed to. So, they were easy to ignore. They were unremarkable.
God’s sustaining power is sometimes overlooked. Yet God has some questions for Job and his friends in Job 38: 31-33:
Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades? Can you loosen Orion’s belt? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons? Or lead out the Bear with its cubs?
Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?
The book of Job names common constellations that we still view today, however, many would know the Big Bear and its cub by the more popular name of the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper.
God sustains the heavens and the world around us by very regular and trustworthy natural laws. These laws of physics and motion from God make our day to day life ordered and consistent. Without them, most things become impossible or at least very difficult. God sustains us by these laws that not only help us, but also make possible things of beauty.
God’s sustaining power of the universe may often be overlooked, especially when we are begging for a miracle. Yet we can discover his universal laws and be drawn to thank god for his “unremarkable,” yet indispensable Laws of Nature.
And that’s the Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly. Join our Wednesday adult Bible Study at 6:30 for more of the Word.
Today in the Word
Thursday Sept 12, 2019
Who do we think is responsible for our life? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. Job in Job 12:7-10 states:
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you…or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
At the root of our very existence is the creative and mighty hand of God. We can ask the animal kingdom and they will quickly answer. God holds their beating hearts in his hand. Why would he not also hold the heart of every man, woman and child? We may not often think about his sustaining both our lives and the very laws of the universe. It may appear ‘unremarkable’, but God’s sustaining of our very lives is a beautiful thing. It may be a good idea to thank him for the regular beating of our heart.
And that is the Word from Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Friday Sept 13, 2019
Are there hidden or unremarkable elements of God character that we take for granted? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. Psalm 139:7-10 reads:
“Where can I go from your Spirit? …If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
When things are extremely difficult, we often imagine we are alone and cut off. Yet these verses proclaim that there is nowhere that is off-limits to God. He can offer direction and connection anywhere. When we find ourselves in deep trouble, we can remember Psalm 23:4:
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me...”
One of God’s often over-looked points of character is his omnipresence. He is literally everywhere. And that means we are never truly alone. We need not face our darkest hours or deepest shadows alone. God is with us! He may show us a way out or at the very least walk with us along the way.
And that’s the Word. You can enjoy more of the Word this Sunday at 10:45 at Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.