September 2nd - 9thSeptember 10th - 17thSeptember 18th - 24thSeptember 25th - 30th
September 2nd - 9th
September 10th - 17th
September 18th - 24th
September 25th - 30th
September 2nd - 9th (Hebrews 12:7)
Recently, while playing around in our living room, my 8-year old son inadvertently broke a pen in which the red ink haphazardly flew through the air staining the surrounding walls and carpet. Before informing me of this matter he did everything in his power to first wipe up the newly created mess he made, hoping the damp towel would consume every vestige of the spilled ink found throughout the room. To no avail, while crying, he trotted into my office where I was studying and told of his accidental incident. He was absolutely horrified of what possible consequences he might have to endure from his father. It was at that time, that I decided no discipline was necessary, for the emotions and agony he was feeling was sufficient enough for his punishment.
Sometimes I too feel like crying for the messes I might have created throughout life. A poor or unwise decision. Impure or ungodly thoughts. An impulsive act. A fib or lie. The list goes on. We are assured that we do and will suffer the consequences for our poor choices and sinful behavior. As this verse clearly implies, hardship is a way in which our Heavenly Father disciplines us. Not necessarily as a means of punishment but as a form of maturity and growth. We must endure hardship and be tested by the fire in order to be prepared for what might lie ahead either in this world or in the world to come. Just as we as fathers discipline our own children, so too does the Heavenly Father discipline those that are in Him.
So the next time you fall on hard times, consider it joy my friend, for it quite possibly could be the Heavenly Father disciplining you as his own child.
Gregory B. Dill
September 10th - 17th (1 John 3:18)
You can say, "I love you," to someone countless times yet never show it. For instance, a child can feel lonely and abandoned even by parents who consistently express their sincere love for them. Instead, to a child, love is playing catch with a baseball in the backyard. Helping them with difficult math problems on their homework. Fixing the many cuts and scratches on the knees and elbows. Telling exciting and happy bedtime stories. Holding them and comforting them in times of need. In addition, Josh McDowell once stated, "The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." There is perhaps no better way to show your love to your children than to show your love for your own spouse. Once your children observe this, they will then most assuredly know that they too are loved.
Perhaps this is an example of what John is telling us. In a nutshell, the apostle with whom Jesus himself loved is saying, "talk is cheap." Saying something is one thing, doing it is yet another. It's easy to tell someone how much you love them, but genuinely showing it can sometimes be the challenge. John observed that Jesus was the epitomy of expressing truths and love in a tangible, evident, way. He healed the sick, He fed the poor, He saved the lost, and He gave life to all of mankind. He consistently showed compassion and love towards others all throughout His entire ministry. As Christians, we must be a reflection of that same embodiment of love that Christ showed to all. Help your neighbor carry in their groceries. Help your spouse with his or her daily chore or errand. Kick the soccer ball around with your little boy or girl. Just sit and be a good listener to those that need to vent. Help out at the local community center. These are all ways that show we too are loved by God and as a result show that same love unto others.
Gregory B. Dill
September 18th - 24th (Psalm 18:1-2)
When building or buying a new home, we look to the integrity of the underlying foundation to uphold the house. When a sudden downpour of rain begins, we immediately take flight to the nearest form of shelter to protect us from the elements. When experiencing a painful headache, we resort to pain relievers to deliver us from it's excruciating pain. As children, we immediately run to our parents when frightened, worried, or scared.
These illustrations help us to better understand what the Lord provides for us as his children. Like a foundation, it is He who we should build our lives upon. Like a shelter, it is in Him who we should take refuge. Like a pain reliever, He is the one who delivers us from our pains and troubles. And like a loving parent, it is He who we should run to in times of need.
This Psalm was written by David. He sang this Psalm of praise to the Lord just shortly after being delivered from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. David experienced firsthand the wonderful saving power of God. He realized that the Lord was ultimately the only one who can shield him from the troubles that had befallen him.
The Lord exists in our lives for a great purpose. He is not there hovering above us as some unattainable entity. He is a God who wants to be involved in each and everyone of our lives. His desire is to be our only reliable source of life. He desires to shield us from the enemy and deliver us from the tribulations that might cross our path throughout life. As Solomon once wrote, from what I'm sure he learned from his own father, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Gregory B. Dill
September 25th - 30th
Paul's instruction to Timothy concerning this issue was very clear. He
simply
commanded Timothy to avoid such "foolish and stupid arguments". Paul
continues
to explain the end result of such foolishness - quarrels. Apparently,
Paul was
already familiar with the product of these foolish arguments, for it
was he, who
before becoming a believer in Christ, often involved himself in debates
and
arguments, zealously refuting the heretical doctrines of this newly
formed cult
called, Christianity, or as the scriptures refer to it as, the Way
(Acts 9:2,
19:9, 19:23). I'm sure he, like many of us who get involved in such
spirited
debates, often find our blood pressure begin to take rise and the veins pulsating
while
making their way to the outer stretches of our skin's limitations.
As newly transformed creations of God (2 Corinthians 5:17), we must
therefore
discipline ourselves to avoid the many enticing debates and arguments
that are
so prevalently found throughout our lives. It's quite easy to get
caught up in
these discussions while losing our vertical focus on who we truly are
as
believers in Christ, sometimes resulting in damaging our own testimony and
witness.
This especially can become quite a challenge to those of us who
typically enjoy
these type of debates and arguments. But of course, we always welcome
a
challenge! Right?
Gregory B. Dill
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because
you know
they produce quarrels." (II Timothy 2:23)
Perhaps as a result of many years of being an athlete and actively
participating
in many sports, primarily, football, wrestling, and swimming; I have
developed
a natural spirit of competitiveness. Unfortunately, this same
characteristic
has migrated into my intellectual, social, and sometimes even my
spiritual life.
There is nothing I enjoy more than a hot debate about such issues
pertaining to
theology, politics, ethics, and the numerous social issues confronting
our
society today. I often welcome these constructive, fruitful,
and
sometimes unfruitful, arguments and discussions. I have, however,
discovered
that most of these debates generally conclude successfully to no avail.
Although
I myself have not experienced such, I have seen many of these
discussions and
arguments lead to many damaging friendships and relationships.Back to Verse of the Week Archives
Back to Verse of the Week
