Month: November 2023

Weird

Old Testament: Daniel 11, 12

Poetry: Psalm 119

* New Testament: Matthew 5

As a fifth-grade introvert who wanted nothing more to blend in with the small class in my little Christian school, “weird” was about the meanest name one could call me. Because I didn’t even want anyone to so much as notice me, remaining quiet and going with the flow was the most obvious way to camouflage among my peers. 

I’ve had a bit of a wake-up call since my private school elementary days. In my public secondary and post-secondary education, God called me to stand up for my faith on several occasions, even when it meant that I was standing alone – resulting in <gasp> people noticing me! More recently, ever since my husband and I felt God leading us to do things that go against the culture, such as home-birthing and home-educating all four of our children, I’ve had to learn to be confident in those decisions and keep my eyes focused on God, no matter if others think I am weird. (As fate would have it, since opposites attract, I married an extrovert who thinks “weird” is a compliment and loves nothing more than helping others laugh at his own expense, so he tries to do silly things when we are out in public – which then, of course, draws attention to me too! I’ve learned to loosen up and not care as much what others think, and he’s learned to rein in the silly antics a little bit when I am with him.)

Jesus was the epitome of weird, but not in a bad way; in fact, many people were drawn to him because they could sense his sincerity and wisdom. (Some even failed to recognize him as the Messiah for whom they were searching because he didn’t meet their expectations!) Most of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5 are quite counter-cultural; for example, the Beatitudes is a list of dichotomous concepts which indicate (in my simple summary) that bad things can be blessings in disguise.

Because God is love (I John 4:8) and Jesus is God’s Son and representative, one could deduce that the primary mission of Jesus’ ministry was to demonstrate the love of his Father to this broken world. That, I believe, is why the end of this chapter (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV) gives perhaps his most controversial nugget of wise advice yet: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Showing love to people who are not like me or who don’t deserve it can be hard enough, but to show love to my enemies and those people who have hurt me? Well, that just takes Jesus’ weird, radical love to a whole new level. Jesus demonstrated this love throughout his ministry, though, by dying for generations of sinners including you and me (see Romans 5:8) and even forgiving the people who brutally murdered him (see Luke 23:34). 

Romans 12:1-2 is one of my favorite passages; I especially love the down-to-earth wording of The Message paraphrase that reminds us why it is important to be weird: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” 

(This is a reminder to myself, but you can read it too if you like: Because I am following Jesus, I need to not be so afraid of being weird that no one around me even knows I am a Christian. I need to be weird in a Jesus kind of way so that people want to have the eternally-focused hope that I radiate, the kind of contagious joy that shows others there’s something different and gives me a reason to share my faith with them (see 1 Peter 3:15). In Matthew 5:14 & 16 (NIV) Jesus says, “you are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our light must have a source, and today’s Psalm 119 has a great bit of wisdom in verse 105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Help me, Lord, to know you more through your Word and relationship with you. May I not be so afraid to be weird that I fail to shine your light in this dark world.)

Let’s take courage together to be weird in a countercultural, Jesus kind of way!

Reflection questions: 

-What are ways that you have blended in with the culture rather than standing out for Jesus? 

-Pray about the actions God wants you to take to be more “weird” in a Jesus kind of way. 

Rachel Cain

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Still Giving Thanks

Old Testament: Daniel 9,10

Poetry: Psalm 118*

New Testament: Matthew 4

In our homeschool history lessons, my children and I have been learning about much of the world exploration that happened following the Reformation. Prior to this time period, two entire continents – North and South America – were largely unknown to the charted world. When there was religious persecution in England, the Puritans, who believed they should be able to worship God in their own way rather than under the thumb of the Church of England, decided to venture to the New World, where they could be truly free. Explorers had already paved the way for their travels; some colonies survived, but some did not. These Pilgrims were supposed to arrive at an existing Virginian village, but because a fierce storm blew The Mayflower off course, they ended up in Massachusetts instead. Their journey was wrought with difficulties, but they were careful to make note of God’s provision along the way, such as providing a kind Native American named Squanto who knew English (as a result of his own hardship of being sold into slavery in England for a time) and taught them how to grow food and survive the winter. Though half of the Pilgrims died that first year, they joined with their new Native American family after the first fall harvest to give thanks to God for his blessings. 

Psalm 118 begins and ends with praise; what a great reminder of how we should start and finish each day! It continues on to tell of difficulties and challenges, but immediately shares how YHWH God showed up each time, a reminder of His faithfulness and provision. 

Last week, many of us gathered to thank God for our blessings, remember the historical first Thanksgiving, and express gratitude for our religious freedom. Thanksgiving is perhaps my favorite holiday; it’s often a simple gathering with a mighty feast of both food and gratitude. My favorite part of the day is participating in the Cain family prayer song. Before we dig into our meal, thirty or more of us – original Cains, their spouses and families and extended families, and many friends – hold hands and sing “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” in a variety of harmonies. This sends shivers through my body as it reverberates through the large room that was once a church sanctuary and in which there have been countless prayers offered and innumerable songs sung. I always think of the bookend verses of Psalm 118 (verses 1 and 29, NIV) on Thanksgiving, but it is wise to remember at the beginning and end of every day of the year: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” 

Reflection:

-Commit to memory the first and final verses of Psalm 118. Then practice saying them as you wake up for the day and as you tuck yourself back into bed at night.

-Gratitude is an attitude! How can you cultivate more gratitude? 

Rachel Cain

sgl23bibleplanDownload

God’s Pride and Joy

Old Testament: Daniel 7,8 

Poetry: Psalm 117 

*New Testament: Matthew 3

As a parent, there have been many times that I beamed with pride at the accomplishments of my children. Proud that my preschool-age son could write and was learning how to spell using the “oo” digraph, I was simultaneously embarrassed when he covered his church bulletin in the crooked letters “POOP” and gave it to our youth leader, Chris Lucas, with a big smile of accomplishment plastered across his face. Though slightly red-faced at the nature of my son’s first penmanship successes, I am always thrilled when I see my children building on their strengths and recognizing their potential! When they finally master the algorithm for double-digit multiplication, earn accolades at their very first session of gymnastics, build intricate LEGO creations, seamlessly play a song on their instrument, stand up for what is right, encourage a hurting friend, or create a fun craft independently in Sunday School, pride for my children fills my spirit. This year, my husband and I celebrated with tears of joy as our two oldest children were baptized on Easter and Christmas, respectively. Their decisions to follow Jesus were balm to my soul because “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4).  

In our New Testament reading today, we learn about the beginnings of baptism and God’s pride in His Son, Jesus. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin – the baby who lept in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary, mother of Jesus (who was still in utero, too), came to visit. We are familiar with Jesus’ virgin birth, but John came from a miraculous birth as well; his mother was well past child-bearing years when he was born as her first child. John had a public ministry to prepare the way for Jesus and was famous for introducing the concept of baptism (hence his nickname, “the Baptist”). John was a bit of an odd fellow: his attire was made from camel hair, and his most common sustenance while wandering in the desert was locusts smothered in honey. (Anyone else hungry for such a delicacy? Yum!) John was not fond of the Pharisees and made sure they knew it; you can read his reprimand to them in this passage. 

Aware that his cousin was the Son of God, John almost refused to baptize Jesus due to feelings of inadequacy but finally consented when Jesus explained the significance of the event. When Jesus rose out of the water, God’s Spirit descended like a dove and everyone in attendance could hear His voice from Heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 NIV) 

God’s pride and joy literally shone down as the world prepared for Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection would make a way for man to have a personal relationship with God again. I imagine God’s heart absolutely bubbling over with pride as he watched his Son fulfill his calling. To paraphrase a motif from Sally Lloyd Jones’ The Jesus Storybook Bible, Jesus was making the sad things come untrue; he was mending this broken world. 

All of us have, at one time or another, felt pride in our own accomplishments or for the successes of those around us; how much more pride must God have felt, finally seeing His great rescue plan begin to come to fruition!

While the wrong kind of pride can be a dangerous thing that leads to sin, we can have a humble pride – satisfaction that we have done a job well, confidence in a God-given talent, etc. – and use those opportunities of success to give glory and praise to God. 

Reflection questions:

-When have you felt pride in a confident, godly kind of way? 

-How can you use your gifts to minister to others and shine the light of Jesus? 

Rachel Cain

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Remembering & Responding

*Old Testament: Daniel 5,6

Poetry: Psalm 116

New Testament: Matthew 2

Last Thursday, my fellow Americans and I demonstrated our gratitude for life’s blessings by stuffing our faces with stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and pie. Thanksgiving Day is a special time to remember not only our national heritage which includes the original Thanksgiving celebration of religious freedom and God’s providence of 400ish years ago, but also to reminisce about our own individual blessings. Sometimes we get so caught up with the ins and outs of life that we fail to remember how far we have come, the blessings that we have, the answered prayers and faithful love of our Father in Heaven. As we’ll see, we are not the first people in history to be so flaky and forgetful. 

In Daniel 5, we see King Nebby’s son, Belshazzar, ruling the kingdom. While drinking with his nobles out of goblets stolen from the Holy Temple, he notices a hand – just a hand – writing words on the wall. Flushed with terror, he promises a reward to whomever can interpret the cryptic message. Daniel, famous for having “power from the gods,” was summoned. Though his true interpretation of the text signified the imminent death and defeat of the current king, he was given a position of power, as promised. 


Daniel remained a leader for the new king, Darius. Because YHWH had blessed Daniel with wisdom and leadership qualities, it was widely assumed among the king’s men that Daniel would soon be given even more power than they had. Consumed with jealousy, they had to find a way to get rid of Daniel, but they could find no fault in him. 

…Except, there was that one thing: Daniel still prayed three times a day to the One True God. Maybe, if they could just get the king to sign a decree that everyone pray only to him, they could trap Daniel and get rid of him for good! 

Approaching the king with flattery to kindle the flame of his pride, the king’s leaders – minus Daniel, of course – recommended that the king enact a 30-day irrevocable law that people could pray only to King Darius. (Finally, a sure-fire way to trap their nemesis, Daniel!) The king signed the law, and the men immediately spied on Daniel. 

It didn’t take much spying, though. The men knew that Daniel always prayed at the window facing Jerusalem, and just as they suspected, his knowledge of the new law did not alter his commitment to this spiritual discipline and his allegiance to the True King. 

Giddy with pride at the simple success of their scheme, the men came back to the king, reminded him of the law, and tattled about Daniel’s offense. Darius, who considered Daniel a friend, was replete with regret. Aware that even he could not change his law, the king ordered Daniel thrust into the den of hungry lions, but offered one last hopeful prayer: “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (6:16, NIV).  

Cue the children’s picture Bibles to show cute, cuddling lions purring on Daniel’s lap; maybe Daniel rubbed their bellies (a favorite pastime of my late cat, Maximus) or perhaps the lions just basked calmly in the ray of sunshine, as cats tend to do for the majority of their lives. However, that was not the case. The Bible states that an angel held shut the mouths of lions. Perhaps the angel was even wrestling with the powerful big kitties all night long to keep them from eating Daniel!  

Darius couldn’t sleep at all that night. As soon as dawn broke through, he scurried to the den to find out if Daniel’s God had miraculously saved his friend. The king was overjoyed when he heard Daniel’s voice and found him unharmed! Indignant at their trickery, Darius ordered the accusers to be thrown into the den, along with their families, who were mauled by lions before they even reached the bottom of the cell. Through this miracle, King Darius recognized YHWH as the One True God and decreed that his kingdom would follow YHWH, the God of Daniel. 

As a lover of all cats large and small, this story has always been a favorite of mine. I also noticed that the kings – and other characters – in the Bible have been as wishy-washy as a cat (“Pet me! Now stop or I’ll attack you! I’m hungry again! No, I want beef chunks in gravy, not beef pate!”) in the way they continue to forget or reject YHWH and then turn from their ways when they witness His power. Do they not remember? Did they learn nothing from the kings before them? Surely these events about hangry lions not eating a captive meal and three men (and an angel) walking around in a blazing furnace went down in history as turning points in their culture! It reminds me of the ridiculous cycle of the Israelites wandering in desert who would turn from the One True God, then come running back to Him when He allowed bad things to happen, then promised to always follow Him, and then forgot and worshiped other gods, and then He let their enemies attack them, and on and on and on… I feel no pity for the Israelites because they just keep on forgetting their One True God, but then I realize: how fickle am I sometimes, too. I am human; you are human; we all fail. We all forget to remember the faithfulness of our Father. We cease seeking Him when we need Him most. We, too, are like the amnesiac Israelites and the arrogant kings of the Old Testament. 

Thankfully, our reading from Psalms reminds us that “the LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion…” (116:5, NIV). So as we depart today, let us not dwell on our offenses, but, with gratitude, ponder the question posed a few verses later (vs 12):  “What shall I return to the LORD for all His goodness to me?”

Reflection & Application: 

– Make a list of how you have seen the goodness of God, those recorded in the scriptures and in your own life, and pray about how He wants you to serve as a result of his faithfulness and grace, to share His love and joy with others. 

-Write out answered prayers and/or things for which you are grateful. Post it where you can see it. 

-Thank our Father in Heaven for His forgiveness and kindness when we forget and stray. How can you offer His grace to someone in your life today?

Rachel Cain

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Even If

*Old Testament: Daniel 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 115

New Testament: Matthew 1

Millennials like myself will forever remember being engrossed in the dramatic animated retelling of Daniel chapter 3 in which our favorite anthropomorphic cucumber, tomato, and asparagus are punished for not bowing down to the giant chocolate bunny. While I appreciate the kid-friendly way in which Veggie Tales retold this story, the true account is quite dark and sad.

King Nebuchadnezzar, like many rulers in history, was very narcissistic. In the beginning of this book, we read how King Nebby (as we’ll call him for short) besieged Judah, claiming their strongest, handsomest, smartest young men as prisoners of war. It might sound nice that he ordered them to have the best food and education, but in reality, Nebby was trying to raise up men for his personal service who would be well-trained and informed about religions and philosophies that were contrary to the teachings of the God of Israel. Nebby even went so far as to try to remove their identities by changing their Hebrew names, which were rich with meaning and remembrance of the one true God, to Babylonian names referencing their false gods – Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego. (Fun fact: My oldest son, Azariah, is named after this character, whose name means “he who YHWH (God) helps”). I’ll refer to them with their Hebrew names during these readings. 

In chapter three, we observe Nebby announcing a law that whenever the ceremonial music begins, everyone must immediately bow to the obscenely large statue (idol) of himself. And if they don’t obey? They will be tossed into the furnace! Daniel and his friends had remained faithful to God, even in a foreign land with all kinds of pleasures, and they weren’t about to back down now. And so, when everyone else bowed, they stood. 

King Nebby, upon hearing of their disobedience, summoned Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to his presence. He gives them another chance to worship him and spare their lives. “But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” 

King Nebby obviously didn’t know the One True God but was about to be overwhelmed by His power! The three men wisely replied, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” (I imagine there was a dramatic pause here as the men looked into each other’s eyes, realized the potential implications of their choice, took a deep breath, and regained their courage.) “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV)

“Even if.” Two tiny words expressing such immense faith. 

“Even if.” Even IF God doesn’t come through in the way we hoped, we wouldn’t do anything differently. Even IF God doesn’t answer my prayers, I will not turn from Him. Even IF He seems absent, we can be confident that God is working behind the scenes. 

Well, if their confident, faith-filled response didn’t just burn the king’s biscuits! And he was about to burn theirs, quite literally! King Nebby, bubbling over with anger, ordered the already-scorching furnace to be made seven times hotter. When the guards threw in Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the guards were consumed with fire and died. The king’s wrath turned to surprise when he noticed four men walking around in the fire. Awestruck, King Nebby ordered them to be removed from the fire. It is noted in the scripture that not a hair was singed, and they did not even smell like smoke. The King, beyond astonished by the miracle, declared their God to be the only one who is worshiped in his kingdom, and the three men prospered in Babylon. 

Even though the king had changed their names, he could NOT change their allegiance; the faithfulness of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah during a very fearful time allowed God to demonstrate His power. 

God didn’t save them FROM the fire; he saved them IN the fire. Even if He seems distant or you don’t understand your current struggle, continue being faithful. You might have to face some rain before you see a rainbow or go through the fire before you are refined? Continue seeking Him. He will show up, and your faithfulness will not go unnoticed. 

Reflection & APPLICATION:


-How has God saved you in the past?
-What did you learn from “going through the fire” that you would not have learned if he had saved you from the entire situation at the start?
-Give thanks for His provision! 

-Rachel Cain

sgl23bibleplanDownload

The Final Thanksgiving

Theme Week – Thanks: Revelation 11

Old Testament: Daniel 1 & 2

Poetry: Psalm 114

Revelation is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It’s weird. It’s full of metaphor and symbolism. There is warfare, warriors, and a dragon defeated by a King upon a horse. 

But you just read all this! 

I want to end our week on thanks with the words of Revelation 11. 

At the end, when the kingdom comes at the sounding of the last trumpet, the voices in heaven say “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” There is no wait, no delay, no other kingdoms. Every kingdom good or bad, across all of time and around the world, will now be the righteous, holy, eternal kingdom of God. 

Of course the elders fall on their faces and worship God with thanks! Notice what they call the Lord God Almighty, “who is and who was”. No longer is the the one who is coming; he is HERE! He has taken power, he is going to reign. There will be judgment, yes, but it is also time for the saints, the prophets, and the God-fearers from every time and place to be rewarded. 

My friends, you who desire to seek God through his word, grow through the word you read, and love God, his Christ, and your brothers and sisters because of what you read, you are in this promise. Today, I ask that you thank God not for what he has done or even what he is doing, but what he will do. In Revelation 11, we get to see a glimpse of the joy of those who love God because the God of all joy has arrived to be with his people. 

Give thanks that God in the ages past created a good world, with great care, empowering humanity to carry his image. 

Give thanks that God gives faith, hope, and love through Jesus Christ and salvation in his name, and that God takes the the brokenness and pain of life and turns it into something beautiful. 

Give thanks that God will rule over the world, that God will destroy all wickedness, death, destruction, and pain, and that God will allow only righteousness, life, flourishing and joy to remain. 

Give thanks to God today!

Reflection Questions

  1. How long did you spend in prayerful thanksgiving this week? Did you keep track of everything for which you gave thanks? How many different items did you think of?
  2. How many of the things for which you gave thanks were about what God has done in the past? What God is doing now? What about what God is going to do in the future?

-Jake Ballard

Jake Ballard is pastor at Timberland Bible Church. If you’d like to hear more from him, you can find Timberland on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TimberlandBibleChurch/ ) and on Instagram (https://instagram.com/timberlandbiblechurch?igshid=t52xoq9esc7e). The church streams the Worship Gathering every Sunday at 10:30. Besides studying and teaching God’s word, he is raising three beautiful children with the love of his life, is a big nerd who likes fantasy (Pendragon), sci-fi (Star Wars) , and board games (Dungeons and Dragons). If you’d like to reach out to talk Bible, talk faith, or talk about your favorite nerdy things, look Jacob Ballard up on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jacob.ballard.336 ) or email him at  jakea.ballard@yahoo.com. 
God bless you all!

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Christ Jesus and Thanksgiving

Theme Week – Thanks: 1 Timothy 1

Old Testament: Daniel Introduction found below

Poetry: Psalm 113

Thanksgiving is a cultural institution; something like 85% of Americans typically partake in the holiday, and in 2022 we spent $1.27billion on Turkeys. Just. Turkeys. 

But when we celebrate thanksgiving, that means we give thanks *to someone*. It *might* be possible to just have a thankful attitude generally, but that’s not thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is giving thanks. And when 85% of Americans celebrate and only 81% believe in God, our culture tends to treat thanksgiving as a time to give thanks to our loved ones, or to be thankful generally. 

As Christians, however, we give thanks to someone. Or someones?

During this week, most of our focus and attention was given to giving thanks to God. 

Giving thanks because it is our duty to the God who gives us all things. 

Giving thanks because it allows our eyes to be open and our minds to be holy toward God.

Giving thanks for our generous blessings during our every time of prayer and to give thanks in every circumstance. 

But when we give thanks, there are times that our thanks should spill out to God’s Son as well. 

In 1 Timothy, Paul says, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1:12) When we look to Jesus, he sends the Spirit in Acts, he provides wisdom to his people, he provides the Revelation to John. Our Lord Jesus Christ is STILL the empowering, teaching, revealing King of God’s Kingdom. Christ appointed Paul to service (1:12). It is the grace of Jesus, our Lord, that overflowed onto Paul. (1:14) The one who looked upon those who were crucifying him and said “Father, forgive them” is the one who looks upon us, the blasphemer, the persecutors, the insolent opponents to his grace, and still forgives, still gives grace so that faith and love overflow. 

Today give thanks to God, of course. But think about the mercy, grace, love, forgiveness and sacrifice of Jesus, and thank him for his grace. His intercession on your behalf in heaven will be honored when we recognize what he has done for us. 

-Jake Ballard

Reflection and Application

  1. Accurate Thanksgiving : When you give thanks to God and Jesus, it is helpful to distinguish the way they bless you individually. While Jesus empowers Paul and calls him to service, he ends this section in 1 Timothy with “to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” That is CLEARLY not speaking about Christ, but about his Father, God. Today, for what can you thank God? (Maybe, creation) For what can you thank Jesus? (Maybe, his sacrifice.)
  2. Giving thanks for forgiveness : Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. My friends, we should all say this in unison with Paul. We should see our sin as the most grievous, as the worst. We should consider ourselves as the chief of sinners. Even then, God is saving you through Jesus. Take the time to consider that salvation and give God and his Son thanks today. 

Daniel Introduction

The book of Daniel was written by the prophet Daniel (whose name means “God is my judge”) while in exile in Babylon from 605 BC until 536 BC.  Daniel was among the group of “Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace”.

The Book of Daniel is a fascinating and exciting mix of history (chapters 1-6) and prophecy (chapters 7-12).  Chapter 1 starts by giving Daniel’s example of how to live a Godly life while surrounded by evil influences.  Chapter 3 is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s example of Godliness despite persecution.  

Daniel contains some well known stories, including:

Chapter 3 – the fiery furnace

Chapter 5 – the writing on the wall

Chapter 6 – Daniel in the lion’s den

Daniel chapters 7-12 are prophetic, prophesying about the rise of world powers after Babylon, including: Medo Persia, Greece, …, and eventually prophesying about the Great Tribulation, and ultimately the resurrection of the dead and the Kingdom of God. 

The book of Daniel highlights the fact that God is in charge.  2:21 says, “He [God] changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.”  4:34-35 says, “…His [God’s] dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.  All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.  He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.  No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’“

It’s important to remember that in the end, God wins.  This will be particularly important as persecution arises, as we see in 11:33-35, “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.  When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them.  Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.”

-Steve Mattison

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Everythings and Thanksgiving

Theme Week – Thanks: 1 Thessalonians 5

Old Testament: Ezekiel 47 & 48

Poetry: Psalm 112

Today is thanksgiving! It’s THE day of giving thanks, for everything in life!

For everything…

For everything? Is that what the Bible says?

Think about what you have done and been through this year. 

Yes, you moved out. 

You started your job. 

You brought your grades up. 

You had the courage to tell him you liked him, or even just sit next to her. 

But, you lost the game. 

Your best friend betrayed you. 

Your grandpa died. 

You saw war continue across the world and breakout in Israel and Gaza. 

For everything?

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

“In.” Not “for.” 

Luckily, my version does have “in all circumstances”, not simply “in everything.” The translators and editors want to focus on the fact that “in every circumstance” we are to give thanks to God. 

We are not commanded to give thanks to God for the pain we endure, the loss we experience, or the death of a loved one. God is on a mission to destroy pain, mourning, and death; Revelation 21 makes it clear he doesn’t like that any more than you or I do, and in fact hates it far more than we could. 

We ARE commanded to give thanks to God for the good things even in the middle of the pain. In the middle of the loss. In the death of a loved one. 

I am not claiming it’s easy; I am saying it is possible. It is God’s will for you and I to give thanks in all circumstance. When we are living in the spirit and not quenching it, this is much more easy to achieve. The entire section of Thessalonians is how to live in response to the spirit. 

May you be at peace around your dinner tables today. 

May you encourage, help, and be patient with your family and friends who gather. 

May you always seek to do good to one another. 

May you rejoice. 

May you pray. 

And may you give thanks, in all circumstances. 

Amen. 

_________________________________

(Note : For full disclosure, Ephesians 5:20 does say, in English “give thanks all the time for everything”. According to multiple scholars and commentaries, the word for “everything” (panton in the Greek) doesn’t have to mean “everything there is” but is determined by the context; Ephesians is consistent about the blessings of God coming upon people. There are many who would say this is not about pain, loss, death, or sin, but about the blessings of God. Others would say something like : “we should thank God for even evil things, because God will ultimately use even those circumstances and pains for our good, in spite of the hurt they cause.” While this is true and should be the goal of the mature Christian, the point stands for us still: God is against our pain and suffering needlessly, but he can take the pain and suffering of this world and make it good, and for his blessings, we should give thanks.) 

-Jake Ballard

Reflection Questions

  1. What great blessings have you seen and enjoyed this year? How will you give thanks for them?
  2. What difficult times have you been through this year, or are in right now? Even in those difficulties what did you, or can you, find to give thanks to God for?
  3. By choosing to be thankful to God even in the midst of pain and suffering what other feelings and thoughts do you diminish?
  4. Who do you think gains the most from your thankfulness?

Prayer and Thanksgiving

Theme Week – Thanks: Philippians 4

Old Testament: Ezekiel 45 & 46

Poetry: Psalm 111

Some laws we have make very little sense. 

In Los Angeles, you can’t use silly string on Halloween. 

In the UK, you can’t “handle salmon in a suspicious manner.”

In Barbados, you can’t wear camouflage. (Sorry, hunting fans!)

However, once you know the context, these laws begin to make sense. 

In LA, it cost the city nearly $200,000 to clean up the silly string every year from just Halloween. 

In the UK, they were trying to stop illegal salmon fishing, and it’s a crime to take fish that you suspect to have been illegally fished. 

In Barbados, the government has decided that the Defense Force are the only people who can wear camouflage (like a uniform) and wearing camo might be seen as an attempt to impersonate an officer. 

In Philippians 4, Paul gives a couple commands that, on the surface, seems to make very little sense. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4)

And 

“Do not be anxious about anything.” (4:6)

It’s almost like Paul doesn’t know what it is like to be human! We can’t control our emotions. I don’t choose when to be happy, or when to be anxious. Nor does anyone else, though we try ; over 12% of the US population over age twelve take antidepressants and 6% of the population is on anti-anxiety medication. What a strange command that makes very little sense. 

Until we add context. 

To “rejoice” is not “feel happy” but “find joy in”. Joy is not the ephemeral, fleeting happiness that comes and goes based on what happens to us moment by moment, but the unshakeable reality that God’s desire for us is to be blessed by him forever. Will we have pain, heartache, grief and mourning in this world? Yes, because it is fallen. However, we don’t rejoice because of those things, but in the midst of those things, we are commanded and encouraged to find our joy in God. God’s grace, his gifts, and his promises will always outweigh our pain in the grand scheme of the universe. One day, all will be made new, and the old things will pass away and only the new and eternal will remain. 

Similarly, God does not expect us to overcome our worries and cares for the future through sheer willpower ; instead he says “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” The command is more than not being anxious, but about being in relationship with the one who overcomes our anxiety, and who overcomes our depression. 

I hope this week, as you have been spending 5, 10, or 15 minutes thanking God for the good things in your life, that you begin to recognize that God appreciates your thanksgiving, but also cares about your prayers and supplications. He hears it all and he is always working for your sanctification, your salvation, and your life to be abundant. He is working to bring joy in your life, joy found in what Christ has and will do in you, and to meet your needs so you will not need to be anxious. 

APPlication & Reflection

Today, instead of having questions to answer, take the time to 

Pray to God. 

Give him thanks.  

Let him know all that is on your heart that makes joy seem so far away, and all that is on your mind that makes anxiety close at hand. 

As you do, may “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, … guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:7)

-Jake Ballard

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Generosity and Thanksgiving

Theme Week – Thanks: 2 Corinthians 9

Old Testament: Ezekiel 43 & 44

Poetry: Psalm 110

When Abraham (still Abram at the time) was called by God to set off for unknown lands, to seek adventure in going to the place that God would show him, we see that God not only tells him what he is doing, but WHY he is doing it. Genesis 12:1-3 reads this way :

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

So that you will be a blessing. 

In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 

Interesting, isn’t it? Abraham is blessed to be a blessing. When we use that terminology, blessed to be a blessing, we begin to understand that is what happened with every person God used. 

God blessed Abraham with a family so that there will be those who follow God.

He blessed Moses with the Law so that that Israel might walk in his ways. 

And he blessed the prophets with his Word so that the people could be drawn back to God. 

Again he blessed the Kings with success so that there might be peace. 

Ultimately, he blessed Jesus with his Spirit so that the world might be saved. 

But don’t hear Abraham, Moses, Prophets, Kings, and Jesus and think these blessing are out of your reach!

In the time of Paul, Jerusalem was undergoing a severe famine and the church in Jerusalem were rather poor. In contrast, Corinth would have been an extravagantly wealthy region ; a port city with a major trading lane would cause riches to flow in. Paul, in his missionary journeys, encourages the Gentile churches to share in the needs of the poor in Jerusalem. Paul encourages the Corinthians to give generously and cheerfully. He lets them know that they “will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.” Blessed to be a blessing. 

Often, human look at life as a zero-sum game: if I give what I have to someone else, then I lose and they win. But Paul reminds the Corinthians that this world is not a battle of wealth between the haves and the have-nots. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), do you think he is unable to meet your needs, even when you give “until it pinches a little.” C. S. Lewis speaks about the amount one “ought” to give and he writes “I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.” We might be afraid to give generously, but only in giving generously will we receive generously, just like the farmer can only reap bountifully when he sows bountifully. 

I want to be very clear : when Jesus prayed for his care from the Father, he asked for bread (“daily bread”) and water, rather than steak and Starbucks. This is not a lack of the provision of God, but the reality that giving extravagantly and full of joy does not mean that we will receive a sudden windfall, or be able to buy the nice car. God is not concerned with your riches or wealth in this life but with your obedience. God promises to care for your needs, not necessarily your wants. Obedience does produce something infinitely valuable though : the ability to do more good. ”So that you may abound in every good work.” “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.” Your generosity will “produce thanksgiving to God… overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” And we have seen how important thanksgiving is. In fact, that is what Paul ends this encouragement to give with, thanksgiving!

 We see that God wants us to give cheerfully and generously, and he will continue to bless us to be a blessing. Our giving is done because we know that every blessing given is already a gift, and everything we own belongs to the God who owns everything. As we give, we can remember that God has already given the greatest gift of all, and our generosity can and will result in thanksgiving to God for his inexpressible gift!

-Jake Ballard

Questions and Application

  1. “Blessed to be a blessing.” :  Have you thought about how this description defined so much of the interaction of God’s people with the world? What are some of the blessings you have been thanking God for this week? How can you use those blessings to bless the world around you?
  2. “Trusting God with Generosity” : Lewis’ call to give more than we can spare requires that we trust that God will meet our needs even when budgets seem to say we can’t. Not everyone is called to sell everything they have and give to the poor, but some were (and maybe are). How much is the right amount to give for you? Who around you needs to be blessed?
  3. “Supplying the needs of the saints” : I have tried to be very clear that Paul was talking about giving money. We should give money to make sure we meet the needs of those around us who lack funds. There are three important points to remember. First, if we are young and don’t have a job, it is very hard to give money. A way to help is to give what you can ; your time or your talents, for example. Second, however, if you give of your time and talents, that doesn’t excuse you from giving money if you can. You should be willing to give everything to God, time, talent and treasure (money). Third, and the opposite of the last points, if you give money to a ministry, that is not a substitute for volunteering your time and abilities. All three, the time you are given, the talents (abilities) you have and the treasure (money) you own, are blessings from God, and are given so you can bless others. 
sgl23bibleplanDownload