Category: Building a Faith-filled Life

Come Back

Amos 5

Sunday, November 6, 2022

For the last three years I have been in the retail industry. Working with the public, you are exposed to a wide variety of people. Ever heard of people watching? That’s when you literally just observe people for fun, whether at a shop or restaurant, because the state of our society can be so entertaining. However, it can be disheartening to a Christian. The way people talk and conduct themselves, and especially the way people treat each other, is really hard to watch. Let’s look at today’s scripture.

In Amos 5 we are greeted by a funeral song. Now, music has always been a huge part of my life. From Frank Sinatra to Dr. Dre, my appreciation of music is quite eclectic. Imagine my joy when I hear the chapter I get to write about is Amos 5! It reads, “ ‘The virgin Israel has fallen, never to rise again! She lies abandoned on the ground, with no one to help her up.’ The Sovereign Lord says: ‘When a city sends a thousand men to battle, only a hundred will return. When a town sends a hundred, only ten will come back alive.’ ” This is a warning from the prophet Amos to the people of Israel to provide another chance before facing the judgment of God. The sin they needed to repent from in this case was idolatry, and the imagery of the men dying in battle was to foreshadow the eventual tool God had planned to use to remove this sin, an invasion at the hands of the Babylonian empire. 

In verse 4 it reads, “Now this is what the Lord says to the family of Israel: ‘Come back to me and live!’ ” And that’s the amazing thing about the grace of God, is that’s all it takes. If the Israelites had simply put their false gods aside, they would have not (eventually) been punished.

Let’s pull it all together. You hear all the time from people that modern times are “so awful” and “that nothing like this has ever happened”. But that is plainly false! The sins of man have always been abhorrent, but “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent…” (Numbers 23:19, NASB 1995), that means that when God said “Come to me and live” he MEANT that and will ALWAYS mean that.

-John Evans

Reflection Questions

  1. Read Amos 5 and list all the things God saw the Israelites doing that He was warning them against continuing. Also list what God wanted them to do instead. Which of these actions and attitudes do you see today in society? In God’s church? In yourself?
  2. What warning do we need today?
  3. What does it look like to Come Back to God? How will you Come Back to Him? How will you help another to Come Back to Him?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Sound the Warning

Joel 2

Saturday, November 5, 2022

This week I saw some internet footage taken of a tornado. At first, an individual was videoing a stormy sky, perhaps anticipating what was to come. In a horrifying moment the distinctive funnel cloud appeared in the storm. Then you could hear the siren go off, blasting out a warning. Everyone in the screen view began heading inside or getting in cars to speed away. For some reason, the person making the video, just kept it rolling.  Obviously, he was in danger, so I was surprised that the person kept filming.

This reminds me of our passage today. Joel 2 announces that the day of the LORD is coming. “Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble.” This is a horrifying warning of a powerful force of desolation. No one could stand against it. So what is the answer?
Return to the LORD with all your heart.

Realize how far we may have wandered. Show your repentance by fasting, weeping and mourning. Let your heart be broken because we have sinned against Him.  We are reminded that He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and He often shows us mercy. Instead of getting what we deserve, He may forgive and leave a blessing behind.

We see our LORD here as wanting to bless His people, wanting to protect, wanting to remove fear and replace it with love. Wanting to dwell among his people. Let’s call on the name of the LORD and open our hearts wide to receive Him so we will be delivered.

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. Read Joel’s description of the Day of the Lord. How do you envision the Day of the Lord (what other Scriptures might be helpful) and how would you describe it to someone who has never heard of it before?
  2. How does Joel describe God?
  3. What does God desire for you today? What does God desire from you today? What does God desire for you for eternity?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

A Father and His Child

Hosea 11

Friday, November 4, 2022

I was touched by the beautiful imagery of the LORD calling to Israel as a child. Teaching him to walk and taking him into His arms. Here the LORD is also leading with kindness and bonded to His people in love. And I can just imagine a compassionate care taker releasing an animal from its burden-taking off the bridle and bit to allow the animal to freely eat and drink. The love and compassion of God are so evident in these passages. But Israel’s obstinance is also evident. These collections of poetry are calling out again to the people. Turn to God, do what is right and be saved. God desires for people to come to Him to be healed, forgiven and saved, but as we have seen over and over, the people continued to reject Him.

We are told what the result is, “Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore, the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes (4:1-3a)”. It is disturbing that this scripture could be describing parts of our own country today. But the poetic words of the prophet Hosea still speak through this book. Telling us about the LORD’S perfect character and His justice. We still hear a main theme of not rejecting, but accepting and remaining faithful to our God. How horrible to become stubborn and self-willed against the Only True Living God. That is a place that we never want to occupy. Unfortunately, I know that we could name some individuals who have turned away and have chosen lives that are in complete opposition to God. But we want to be those that faithfully hold to God. Hosea 14 describes it this way, “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them (v.9)”. Hosea explains that someday the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God; they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness. It is incredible that we can know, walk with, and most of all be in a loving relationship with Him right now.

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. How is your nation like Israel? How are they different from Israel? How are you like Israel? How are you different from Israel?
  2. How would you describe God as a parent?
  3. How will you respond as His child? When have you been rebelled against Him? What is His desire for You?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Time to Wake Up

Daniel 12

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Daniel played many roles in his life including a great prophet of God. We continue to be blessed, inspired and perhaps warned by the writings of Daniel. Not only did he share God’s insights with the kings and people of his time, but today we also see God’s plan unfold in Daniel’s writings. We see the future for those who faithfully follow God. It states, “many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever”.

We read about deliverance for everyone whose name is found written in the book. King David had written of this book of life in Psalm 69:28 and many years later we see the book mentioned again in Revelation 3:5. It states, “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

These amazing truths were passed down from one group to the next, sometimes one generation to the next. Daniel faithfully served the LORD at the time and in the place that the LORD set for him. We have that same privilege today. Don’t feel that you are unable or are unqualified to share. You have the message from the LORD through the scriptures and when you walk closely with Our LORD, that is all you need. Share the Good News with those around us. We want to share in the assurance that Daniel had. It states, “then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. When you think of the future do you usually think about tomorrow, 5 years down the road, 25 or 50 years from now, or eternity? What part of the future excites you? What part scares you?
  2. How often do you consider the book of life? What are your thoughts and feelings when you do? How many familiar names do you expect will be found there?
  3. How can you lead many to righteousness by sharing the good news? What has God given you to do so?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Excelling

Facing Lions for God’s Glory

Daniel 6

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Daniel continues to walk faithfully with God and to serve kings. His abilities are obvious to the new king, King Darius. Daniel excelled above the other leaders. In fact, he was noticed because “he possessed an extraordinary spirit”. The king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Unfortunately, Daniel’s extraordinary abilities gave rise to jealousy from other leaders. They went about investigating Daniel’s character or work, but he was flawless. So then they devised a malicious plan to turn Daniel’s faithfulness to God along with his routine prayer life against him. They appealed to the king’s pride while ensnaring him with his own law. The continued prayer of Daniel was the offense that they used to throw him into the den of Lions.

It is easy to see the jealousy boiling over in this situation. You know that it will not go well for Daniel’s accusers. It reminds us of the leaders who accused Jesus and later the leaders that went after Paul the apostle. Jealousy was present there, too. In fact, the scripture states that where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. As followers of Jesus, when we see other Christians excelling, we should be happy for them. Encourage and rejoice in their success. We should never let jealousy begin in our own lives. And we should also imitate, the actions of Daniel. He stood strong and remained faithful for God’s glory – not for his own. Not only did his devotion to God save him from the Lions, but it also turned the heart of a king. Then Darius made a decree about God to everyone in his kingdom, “He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26, 27)

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. Has jealousy ever caused a problem for you? What is the best way to combat your own feelings of jealousy?
  2. How would you describe Daniel’s prayer life and his relationship with God? How would you describe your own? Where do you see opportunities for improvement?
  3. Re-reading Daniel 6, what can we learn from Daniel in regards to his relationship with God and with men?

2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Excuse Me, Could You Move Your Golden Image?

Daniel 3

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

You would think that King Nebuchadnezzar would have set aside his pride after he witnessed a miracle. He was astonished that God could give Daniel ability to recount his own dream and reveal the mysteries of that prophetic dream. The King even stated, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.” The king gave Daniel a promotion and honored Daniel’s request by appointing  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon.

But a surprising part of this story is that King Nebuchadnezzar does not seem to have a change of character from the experience. He had received the true interpretation from Daniel that “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” We would think that news would be a life changer for the king, but it isn’t. In fact, we find him setting up a ninety-foot image of gold so people can practice idol worship. If they refuse, he will quickly have them killed. What in the world is wrong with this guy? A lot, but first his pride. He refuses to take his focus off himself and his kingdom so he could acknowledge God and the everlasting Kingdom.  I must admit that it is so easy in this life to get so caught up in what we are doing and what others are thinking or saying about us that we find that we have lost our focus of what God is wanting us to do for His Kingdom. It is so easy to let the temporary things of life remove the eternal.

Let’s take some time today and examine where we are spiritually. Are we wasting our time polishing up an idol or are we living in a close relationship with God? The Lord wants to guide us through every area of our lives. Thankfully Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were ready for the king’s challenge. As we see, God delivers these faithful men from the fiery furnace. They were walking closely with the One True God so He sent His angel to walk with them through that fire. Let’s toss out any idols that try to surface in our lives so there is only room for Our God.

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you wasting your time polishing up an idol or are you living in a close relationship with God? Consider carefully. What are you focused on?
  2. Look at how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered the King in Daniel 3:16-18. What can you learn from them? How will you put it into practice?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

God is Not Scared

Daniel 1

Monday, October 31, 2022

Today, I heard a conversation with someone explaining why something is or is not scary to them. Sometimes when we look at Bible stories and really try to imagine what it was like for the people living through these experiences, we think “that must have been scary”.  Let’s try to imagine the anxiety and fear Daniel experienced when Babylon’s forces came through and he was taken into captivity. He was chosen as one of the youths who had ability for serving in the king’s court. He was described as flawless, good-looking,“showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge.” So here is this amazing young man facing captivity in a foreign land and serving a king in a foreign court. He faced overwhelming obstacles as he began his three-year program of education learning the language and literature. But he immediately faced pressure to just conform-just accept the social norm, don’t worry about what is right or wrong? Just believe and do what you are told. But Daniel did not just do what he was told.

As you might know, Daniel is remembered as a righteous and wise follower of God. So how did he do it? How did he choose the moral and right course when he was facing a culture that did not even consider what is right in the eyes of God?

In verse 8 we read that Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself. In that instance, it concerned the food he was offered.  But the phrase “made up his mind” or “set upon his heart” speaks volumes about who Daniel was and who we should be. He had resolved the matter. He first looked to God who could show him right or wrong, he firmly decided on the right course of action and he followed through. Daniel chose to follow God by doing what was right and moral. This was Daniel’s practice throughout his life and it was sometimes met with opposition and I imagine he experienced fear. (A Lion’s Den is not a place anyone wants to be.) But he was willing to suffer for doing what was right. His actions proved his devotion and love for God. And the Lord sent angels to help along the way.  God was with Daniel and his companions. He gave them abilities and miracles to prove that He was there, even in the middle of their captivity. He gave them the strength to stand for what was right. He gave them the ability to conquer fear. Of course, He will help us to do the same.

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. When was the last time you were in a scary situation surrounded by the foreign or unknown? How did you handle it? What would you do again in that situation? What would you do differently?
  2. How would God want you to resolve not to defile yourself?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

I Will Put My Spirit Within You and You Will Come to Life

Ezekiel 37

Sunday, October 30, 2022

This time of year can be a little dark-physically and spiritually.  Days are getting shorter and common themes of shock, terror and death seem to ride in the wake of Halloween. But several years ago, our church decided we could push back and do something positive for our community. So we host a Fall Festival with all kinds of activities for families. This event is a source of excitement for children and a bright spot for a lot of our church family.

The message of Ezekiel 37 is a huge encouragement in the middle of a very dark time for God’s people. They felt depleted and described their situation as “Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.” 

But God is a giver of life! He tells them that He will open their graves and cause them to come up out of those graves. God says that they are His people and He will bring them to the land of Israel.God will put His Spirit within them and they will come to life.

This vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is God’s message of bringing life and hope. God gives us the ability to live in newness of life now, but we also have the promise of the coming resurrection. How exciting to know that there is a resurrection of the righteous someday. We will all have one shepherd and will walk in God’s ordinances and keep and observe His statutes (v. 24). We are so blessed to have the opportunity to have a loving relationship with God in Christ right now and we can also experience the ultimate joy of having God’s dwelling place with us on earth someday. So even when your circumstances may seem dark remember that God abides with His obedient children and lets us know that we are His by the Spirit (1 John 3:24). 

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to you to have life because you have God’s Spirit? Do you have God’s Spirit?
  2. Where do you find encouragement in the middle of a dark season? How can you share that encouragement with others?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Accountability

Ezekiel 33

Saturday, October 29, 2022

This week we have covered pain and sorrow in our trials, our hope in Jesus, newness in the clay, God’s comfort for us in our battles, and our freewill to live for Christ.

Though these topics are all different, they all connect in how we reach others. Our job as Christians is to share the good news of God and his Son.  Our prayer everyday should be to touch the life of someone in a positive way; and hopefully to bring people with us along the journey. But our job is also to be accountable for one another in our journey of faith. This doesn’t mean to be judgmental but understanding.

As we have gone through this week, we have seen how God comforts, but he also tests by letting us face sorrow, and we have seen how our faith is based on our freewill to follow Him. The same goes with accountability. We are to walk alongside each other in trials and in comfort and help each other walk closer in our faith in God and the hope we have in Jesus.

Ezekiel 33:7-9 says,

“As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel.  When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me.  If I say to the wicked, ‘wicked one, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to warn him about his way, that wicked person will die for his iniquity, yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.  But if you warn a wicked person to turn from his way and he doesn’t turn from it, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself.”

This scripture really hits home how important remaining faithful every day is. It is not enough to just go to church and give our offering. While those are important things, what really matters is bringing Jesus outside of church. Jesus continually went to people who were broken and lost, just as we are supposed to.

We are supposed to be the light for people who have no light.  We are supposed to be there for the person at school who is always alone, talk to the coworker, who you know is going through a hard time, and spread the joy and hope that Jesus would spread.

 A song written this year by Cain, called The Commission words it perfectly. “Go tell the world about me, I was dead but now I live. I’ve got to go now for a little while, but goodbye is not the end.” He will be back someday, and he wants to see everyone there. If we don’t spread his word who will? 

I want to know that I did everything I could in my life to share Jesus with as many people as God gives me the opportunity.

My Grandpa used to say this quote by Stephen Covey, but it goes like this. “The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.”

-Hannah Eldred

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you feel about the job of watchman?
  2. Has anyone been a faithful watchman for you – warning you of the danger of continuing down a path away from God and his commands? What did they do well?
  3. How can a watchman deliver God’s warning in a way that might be best heard and heeded?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Lamentations of Hope

Lamentations 3

Lamentation is defined as a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. In this time Israel has been through pain and destruction.  Lament is a human response to suffering before God who can stop the suffering. Lamenting pushes us to be helpless before God who can rescue us and bring us out of our situation.

            Have you ever been in deep sorrow? The kind where all you want to do is disappear or break into a thousand pieces. Those times are hard to say the least. I know the same feeling more than I would like to admit.

            But I have realized that in those moments, the best thing we can do is go to God. Bring him our lamentations, our sorrows.

            This is what Lamentations is. In this book Israel is bringing their sorrows to God and finding peace in him. They have nothing left after the destruction and pain brought by the Babylonians, yet in Lamentations 3 it says this.

Lamentations 3:19-24

“Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood, and the poison. I continually remember them and have become depressed. Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say the Lord is my portion therefore I will put my trust in him.”

            There is joy in the mourning! These people had nothing, had suffered, and yet they have all this love and trust in God and his faithfulness. Because God is good, and he knows our sorrows. He wants us to go to him with every little heartache just as the Israelites did!

There is hope in our lamentations and love for our suffering because God will use it for good.

            It is encouraging to know the good God we serve, who brings joy in the mourning. Who leads us through battle and into victory.

This is the best part.

Lamentations 3:31-33

“For the Lord will not reject us forever. Even if he causes suffering, he will show compassion according to the abundance of his faithful love. For he does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.”

I love this part, but it is a little bit of a tough pill to swallow. God is compassion, love, and peace, but he also brings along testing and affliction when he knows we need it. Those are the hard times. But we are strong through those hard times, knowing that God is there to guide.

We won’t know how long pain may last. But what is important is not letting our grief stop us from serving God. Our pain is what we can use to reach others with God’s love.

-Hannah Eldred

Reflection Questions

  1. Where do you turn in your sorrow?
  2. What gives you hope in the midst of grieving?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload