June 28 – 1 Kings 20-21

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 20-21. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Twice in our reading today God decides to show himself to Ahab and the northern kingdom of Israel. While the southern Kingdom Judah is not perfectly following God, Israel has completely obliterated their relationship with the Him. God is working to restore that relationship. He brings deliverance against the king of Aram not once but two different times. At the end of the second defeat Ahab spares Ben-Hadad’s life by making a treaty with him.

Ahab allowed God to bring him victory. He even recognized that it was God. But by signing the treaty he was not willing to go far enough. He would not go over the edge and finally turn back to worshipping God. How often do we do this? We accept parts of God’s work in our lives, but do not want his involvement in other areas. We think too often we can do this ourselves. Maybe it’s a pride issue. Maybe its not trusting God enough. Maybe it is part of the growing process for you. Whatever it is, continue learning to let him have full control.

June 27 – 1 Kings 17-19

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 17-19. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Group Publishing Vacation Bible School 

Last week West Side conducted our annual Vacation Bible School program. We had a terrific week with many children learning about God. The theme line for the week was God Helps Us Stand Strong. Over and over again we heard the phrase Stand Strong. I have heard it so much that it slipped its way into my sermon last Sunday and it is the overall theme of my sermon this Sunday. With that thought on the brain it was easy to navigate to that idea when reading about Elijah this morning.

Elijah took many risks on behalf of God. He went to Ahab and told him that God was going to shut of the rain from the sky for three years. He went and lived in the valley until the water dried up. He boldly asked for bread from the widow. He raised her son back to life. He stood on Mount Carmel and prayed a simple prayer to God. He ordered all the prophets of Baal killed. He stood before God at Mt. Horeb. To do any of those things, to stand strong, Elijah had to know that God was standing with him.

Do you know that and do you believe that? God is standing with you and because God is standing with you … you can stand strong. When culture tells you to do one thing, but God tells you another, remember you can stand strong. When sin is inviting remember with God you can stand strong. When you want to share your faith, but are nervous, God tells you to stand strong. Elijah had the same power of God beside him that you and I have today. So Stand Strong!

June 26 – 1 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 17

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 17. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

If you remember back when we were reading the book of Joshua after God delivered the city of Jericho into the hands of the Israelites Joshua delivered and pronouncement on the fate of that future city. Joshua said this of anyone who would rebuild a city at this site … “At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.” (Joshua 6:26 NIV84). Today as we journeyed through our reading we found that very prediction play out. A man named Heil rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his oldest and youngest sons.

What I think this teaches us is God has a strong memory. God does not forget the promises we make. God does not forget the commitments we offer up. God does not forget the sins that we cast. There is nearly four hundred to five hundred years between these stories. God did not forget even though Heil may have.

However, what I love about God is He has offered to shorten His memory, almost to practically erase it. God tells us that in Jesus, because of His sacrifice he is willing to wipe his memory clear. What an amazing comfort that provides.

June 25 – 1 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 13-16

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 13-16. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I want to start by apologizing about yesterday’s post. I realized this morning that I failed to give the correct scripture notations for that. If you want to go back and read everything in context I have fixed the post.

Today’s post is a hard one to write about. It contains a lot of history. It contains a lot of ups and downs in the reign of Judah’s kings. At times they are following God, and at other times they turn their backs on him. When they follow him God gives them amazing results, but when they do not they see defeat.

How often does that same scenario play out in your own life? I bet it does more than we care to acknowledge. God does not want us part of the time. He does not want us when things are going good. God wants relationship with us through all times. He wants us to remain faithful and true no matter what is going on in life. He does not want us filling voids in the pleasures of the world. He wants us filling the voids with him and his spirit.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 21 – 2 Chronicles 10-12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from ; 2 Chronicles 10-12. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

In our reading today we watched the division of the two kingdoms. Rehoboam would not listen to the council of his older advisors and angered the northern tribes into separation. They placed Jeroboam on the throne as their king. Jeroboam in a move to ensure complete separation from the southern kingdom erected golden calves, one at Bethel and the other at Dan. His purpose was to keep the Israelites from returning to Jerusalem to worship God. He feared that if they did, they might turn back to Judah, and begin to follow Rehoboam as their king.

What I wander is why did Jeroboam not learn from history? It may have been one thing to erect an entirely new temple, even modeled after the one in Jerusalem. It may have been one thing to keep the temple free of graven images, and simply make it a place to come and worship. Now God may have entirely rejected that and looked upon that decision as sinful. But it would have been far better than his choice. Did he not remember the reaction of Moses when seeing Aaron’s Golden calf? Did he not remember the course of action and how that angered God? Moses had to beg God not to destroy the people! So why didn’t he learn from the generations before?

It would be wise for us as Christians to learn from the mistakes of those who have come before us. Whether it was the justification many used to allow and support slavery in our country. The thought of it continuing today should sicken us. Whether it is division of churches over color of skin: we should work hard to learn from that and incorporate all people into our churches. We could even look back at the Catholic Church in the middle ages in Europe and see the sins of the Crusades and be careful to never repeat something similar. Learning from the sins of the people before is not what Jeroboam did, but it is certainly what we should do.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 21 – 1 Kings 10-11 & 2 Chronicles 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 10-11 & 2 Chronicles 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

We have finally come to an incredibly sad time in our reading of the Bible. We began our reading looking at the beauty and majesty of all that Solomon had acquired. He had certainly made the nation of Israel unlike any before or since. It was the only nation in existence operating under the leadership of the one true God. The blessings, the riches, their importance was all the result of God’s work! Sadly though, with all his wisdom, Solomon still could not overcome it.

We quickly shift from the beauty and majesty, the parade of riches Solomon is able to take the queen of Sheba on, to the proclamation of destruction. Solomon has let false worship into the nation through his many pagan wives and concubines. With all his wisdom he still was not wise enough to follow the commands and decrees found in God’s law. His choices have now set the nation of Israel on a downward spiral ultimately to destruction.

What lessons can you learn from this? Maybe the best is to listen and accept wisdom, but always measure that wisdom against the wisdom of God found in his word. No matter how good others wisdom is if it does not jive with God’s word then the wisdom is faulty. Trust in God first and foremost!

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 20 – Ecclesiastes 7-12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ecclesiastes 7 - 12. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In our reading today there was a lot of talk about death. There is a truth that exist that the most common fears in America remain the fear of public speaking and death. It is often joked that most people would rather be the guest of honor at their own funeral than the speaker at their own funeral. Many have a great fear of death … a fear that is fairly valid.

There is fear because death is unknown. What does it feel like to die? What exactly happens when we die? We are fearful because well, we do not really know the answers. There are not many who have died, who have really died, and come back to tell us about it. We do not really have the words of Lazarus, or the widow’s son Jesus raised to life, or even the son Elisha brought back from death. Jesus did not really talk about the dyeing experience. So our Biblical examples kind of leave us with no information on what dying feels like.

However, with that fear, we can also have some peace. The Bible paints a beautiful portrait of what waits those who belong to Christ after death. It is something I am looking forward to. Solomon seemed to have a grim view of death … “The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 NLT) But we know there is a reward … in Christ there is eternity in Heaven before the throne of God. The reward is not for the death, the reward is for the life we live. Remember that as you live each day, drawing ever closer to your own physical death.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 19 – Ecclesiastes 1 - 6

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ecclesiastes 1 - 6. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Ecclesiastes is the third book we have come to penned by King Solomon son of King David. If you remember Solomon wisely asked for wisdom from God when given anything he wanted to ask for. God blessed him because his request pleased God. We have read and seen the blessing God bestowed on Solomon; giving him the privilege of building the Temple, a magnificent palace, and all kinds of great wealth. According to Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes Solomon denied himself nothing and in doing so learned an important lesson.

Solomon learns this … “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NLT) and … “We don’t remember what happened in the past and future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.” (Ecclesiastes 1:11 NLT) How true those words are. Sure we might have new inventions … the iPad I do my reading on and preach my sermons form was not something old turned new. But what is on it is nothing new … I am still reading text, taking in information, reading a Bible that found its completely nearly two thousand years ago. The sermons I write, filled with what I think are the freshest ways to say the same things, have all been preached before. Sure the iPad may be new, but what is on it was simply done in a different way before.

So why don’t we learn from the generations before? I think the answer is found later in the reading. History books can teach us a lesson. People can share what they have experienced. We can have all the head knowledge available. But I think too we need the experience. “Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18 NLT) It is good to learn from our own mistakes. It is good to enjoy life. It is good to find pleasure where God intended pleasure. It is good to make mistakes. Mistakes only make us stronger, they only teach us a lesson, they only mold and shape us the way God intends us to be.

Learn from the generations that have come before. Avoid major catastrophes. But enjoy life. Learn from your own mistakes. Pass those lessons along to the next generation.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 18 – Proverbs 27-29

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 27-29. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Every morning it is typically one of the first things I do. If you are like me you probably do it some time as well. You stumble out of bed, head off to the bathroom and look at your face in the mirror. The mirror shows a reflection of how well you slept the night before. Depending on the length of my hair it also shows me how crazy and disheveled I must look.

Mirrors are very useful. They allow us to see what others are seeing in us. They allow us to groom and prepare ourselves for the day. The allow us to see parts of ourselves that we cannot see with our own eyes. We can see our own face, our necks, and our backs all with the use of a mirror. They help us know how we look or even to investigate something we have felt, but could not see, but certainly know it is not supposed to be there.

Solomon compares the heart to a reflection … “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” (Proverbs 29:19 NLT) Sadly when things go bad, and a negative reflection is given it never happens in a controlled environment. In a controlled environment many are able to cover their true desires and motives. But in an uncontrolled environment, when things seem to get out of hand, when surprises arise, it is then that the true person is reflected.

In a previous life I used to work for a lawn service. One day we were doing some landscaping and I was running a flower bed edging machine. I got into some roots that killed the edger and when I went to restart it I accidentally put my hand on the muffler missing the piece where I normal found my grip. Immediately I had burnt my hand pretty badly. My reaction was not filled with cursing, but was not without the complaints. One of my co-workers came to me later amazed that I had not dropped a few f-bombs in reaction to the pain as he shared he would have. He asked my why. I was able to share my faith because of my reaction to the uncontrolled environment. I simply shared that because cursing was not a part my normal conversation, when the uncontrolled environment presented itself, my true person was reflected in my actions.

Examine your person, examine your life, what reflection are people seeing when you enter an uncontrolled environment? What would your heart reflect about you? Would you be proud or would you want to run and hide?

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 17 – Proverbs 25-26

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 25-26. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Balance … Do you have it in your life? Look at a few of today’s proverbs again … “Do you like honey? Do not eat too much, or it will make you sick! Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.” (Proverbs 25:16-17 NLT) Honey is amazing. Spending time with friends and neighbors can be a wonderful blessing to life. God gave us honey to sweeten our food to provide pleasure. God gave friends and neighbors to do life with. God did not create us to not enjoy life. Pleasure is certainly a part of his creation.

However all of that must be measured with balance. Too much of a good thing might just turn to a bad thing. Ever spent a day eating too many sweets? The feeling at the end of the day is not a pleasant one. Ever have that pesky neighbor who always wants to talk? Ever spent a ton of time with friends and family around the Christmas holiday season and realize at the end of it you need some time alone? Balance is crucial to enjoying the pleasures of this life.

Balance is not just for the pleasures. Balance is for so many other areas of life as well. Find balance and you may just find the true pleasure God created for your life.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 16 – 1 Kings 9 & 2 Chronicles 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 9 & 2 Chronicles 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

One of the reasons God allows the construction of the Temple is to make his known and as a place for His name to be honored. We see him share that a few times throughout our reading … “this place you have built where my name will be honored forever.” (1 Kings 9:3 NLT) or “This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God.’” (1 Kings 9:8-9 NIV) The Temple was the physical representation of God in the world.

As we have said several times through this blog we know the Temple no longer exists. In fact the Temple that Solomon built was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Temple was rebuilt during the return from exile and is made even grander by Herod the Great. Finally in A.D. 70 that Temple is destroyed to never be built again. But that is ok, because before its destruction, God left the building. Upon doing so the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple tore in two, indicating that God no longer considered it home (Matthew 27:51).

Leaving the Temple did not leave God homeless. Soon he took up residence in the very heart of believers. That is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that all Christians receive upon salvation. Now we are considered the Temple of God. Let me ask you … Are you helping God’s name be honored as the Temple? Are you helping make his name famous? Or are you hurting his name, making him look foolish? These are all strong questions we must continually ask ourselves.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

My Apologies

I have been distracted from my computer these last couple of days with a funeral on Friday and VBS stage decorations on Friday and Saturday. Please accept my apologies. However, I will give a sneak peek at what we have been constructing.

June 12 – 1 Kings 8 & 2 Chronicles 5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 8 & 2 Chronicles 5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

There is just something magnificent about our reading today. I don’t know if it stirrers you as you read the account the way it does me. Just imagine having the privilege to be witness to God’s very prescience. Now I know and understand as Christians we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit inside us and that he is doing life with us in a different way than what he did with Abraham’s decedents. But still to see a physical manifestation of God would have been amazing.

In our reading we watched as the Priest carried the Ark of the Covenant and placed it into the Holy of Holies … the most sacred place in the Temple. As the Ark is placed there and the Priest continued their worship God takes up residence in the Temple … “When the priest came out of the Holy Place, a thick clouded filled the Temple of the LORD.” (1 Kings 8:10 NLT) God was now in His house and taking up permanent residence. I certainly wish I could see something like that!

Here’s the cool thing … one day I will. But what I will see will be much better. What I will see will not be a cloud representing God’s prescience … No! Because I know Christ as Lord and Savior I will stand before the throne of the Living God, bowing down in worship for all eternity. For that I am grateful, excited, and anxiously awaiting!

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 12 – 1 Kings 7 & 2 Chronicles 4

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 7 & 2 Chronicles 4. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: bibleQ

Our reading today began with Solomon constructing his personal palace. In reading the details of Solomon’s palace we first might get the idea that Solomon built a much bigger and better home for himself than he did for God. However that is not necessarily the case. I want to turn to the words of James Smith, Old Testament professor and scholar. He writes ….

The palace complex dominated the outer court which surrounded the temple mount. This complex was thirteen years in construction. This longer period spent on the palace does not argue for selfishness on the part of Solomon. On the contrary, his piety caused him to build the temple first. The temple construction was much faster because (1) David had gathered enormous quantities of materials in advance; (2) Solomon employed a special force of laborers on the temple; and (3) the temple was small in comparison to the palace complex. The place complex consisted of five major buildings. 1. The house of the forest of Lebanon. 2. The porch of pillars. 3. The hall of justice. 4. The palace. 5. House of Pharaoh’s daughter. [1]

Solomon’s palace may have been bigger than the Lord’s Temple, but we have to remember it served a different purpose. God’s Temple was the place where God resided and offerings to God were made. The palace was the home of Solomon, it was the treasury and armory for the nation, it was a gathering place for people waiting to see the king and for court appearances, it is where court proceedings took place, and it was the home to Pharaoh’s daughter. So while much larger, we must remember it served more than one purpose. The palace had to be large to serve its role.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

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[1] Smith, James. The Books of History. Joplin: College Press, 1995. 435. Print.

June 11 – 1 Kings 5-6 & 2 Chronicles 2-3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 5-6 & 2 Chronicles 2-3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Because of bloodshed David did not get the privilege to build the Temple to become the home of God. That responsibility was left to his son Solomon. When Solomon began construction he chose the site for the Temple as the site his father David had purchased from Araunah the Jebusite to stop the plague of death that was attacking Israel. There is an interesting theme I want to draw from.

When David went to purchase the threshing floor, Araunah wanted to essentially give it to him along with everything necessary for the sacrifice. David would not have it. He replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burn offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24.24 NLT) David would not offer sacrifices that would cost him nothing. He had to pay for what he was going to offer to God.

Now Solomon is building the Temple of God. For portions of the construction Solomon desired to use Cedars of Lebanon to adorn the Temple. He received those from David’s dear friend, King of Tyre, Hiram. In doing so he offered to pay whatever the cost Hiram desired (1 Kings 5:6). We find later in the reading what Solomon provided for the timber and the men to cut it … annually 1000,000 bushels of wheat and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil (1 Kings 5:11).

Solomon like his father chose to not accept anything to offer to God that he did not purchase. He did not want his offering to God (the Temple was certainly an offering to God) to cost him nothing. Let me ask you, do you seek things for nothing? Do you try and offer to God something that cost you nothing? I hope not! I hope the God you call master, savior, creator, and leader of your life is worth sacrifice; is worth offerings that cost you something.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 9 – Proverbs 19-21

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 19-21. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

There are so many wonderful proverbs in our reading today. I am struggling to pick just one. However you could pick up many different themes if you were to string a few together. There are thoughts on hard work verses laziness. There are thoughts on honesty verses dishonesty. There are thoughts on financial fitness verses poor money management. Instead of me teaching a devotional thought, chime in with your devotional thought in the comment section below.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 7 – Proverbs 13 -15

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 13 - 15. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

This is a hard lesson to learn … “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” (Proverbs 15:31-31 NLT). This is a hard lesson to learn because when we hear the term criticism we immediately think negative thoughts. Merriam Webster dictionary defines criticism as “the act of criticizing usually unfavorably” or “a critical observation or remark.” We hear criticism and we think negative because criticism isn’t something easy to hear and may even be the cause of some personal pain.

But when you pair it with the word constructive criticism it changes the entire meaning … well sort of. The criticism is still possibly hurtful and painful, but it is given not to harm but to build up. Building up is what we think of when we hear the term constructive. A construction worker builds homes, business, and buildings. So while criticism may be hard to hear and process, analyze if it is constructive or not. If it is, learn from it because hopefully it was coming from someone who wanted to build you up and make you a better person. Read the proverb again and take those words to heart.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 6 – Proverbs 10 - 12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 10 - 12. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

God loves for his children to be honest. Read these proverbs again … “The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.” (Proverbs 11:1 NLT) or “The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.” (Proverbs 11:5 NLT) or “The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.” (Proverbs 11:20 NLT). Detest is used twice to describe God’s view of dishonesty. Detests is a strong word.

Let me ask you do your actions in life please God or do you give him opportunities to detest your actions? That is a question you must ask yourself whenever weighing between right and wrong.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 5 – Proverbs 7 - 9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 7 - 9. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

In our reading today we began with more warnings about the immoral woman … the woman we are to guard against leading us men into sexual sin. This is very noble advice and wise council from God. But I want to take it to another level and discuss sin in general.

Like the immoral woman described in this chapter sin is seductive. If sin was not seductive we would not struggle with it. We struggle with sin because it is pleasurable and it gives us some sort of satisfaction in the moment. The same would be true for the brief sexual interlude that the chapter talks about. If the woman was not seductive and offering him a good time, he would not have stumbled into her bed. Friends, sin is the same way. There is pleasure in sin. That is why we do it.

We must be on guard because the pleasure of sin is often fleeting. There is pain and turmoil in giving your heart sexually to anther for what amounts to a one night stand. Whether that is the emptiness that follows or simply a sexually transmitted disease, the consequences can be devastating. Sin feels good in the moment, but the after can literally suck. So learn to not gratify the sinful desires that will only provide momentary pleasure. Find comfort and strength in the arms of God that last a lifetime. I will take the later, it sounds so much more fulfilling.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 4 – Proverbs 4-6

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 4 - 6. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I am firmly established in my belief that one of the greatest sins of our modern age in America is debt. Unfortunately most American’s have some level of debt. Some of that debt is credit cards, other debt is for vehicles and homes, some for a college education, and then so many other forms of debt. What is the driving factor behind this debt problem? It is the want of too many things. Unfortunately in our current financial market it is hard to not acquire some level of debt. If you wait until you have the money to buy a home you may never purchase a home. That is because the cost of a home is multiple years’ salaries. While not ideal, taking a loan out for a home is almost a necessary evil.

However, we have so many other levels of debt that are caused by the root of wants over needs. In our third chapter of reading, Proverbs 6, we see wise advice against what we call today cosigning. Cosigning is the act of putting your name on a loan document saying you will be responsible for the loan if the person taking it out fails to pay. Our reading calls this foolish. Read again Probers 6:1-5. We call it cosigning, the passage calls it by another name, but no matter the name God’s Word says it is a foolish practice. It says to save yourself from it!

I think we can take that a little further. We will see in other places in these Proverbs that taking in any level of debt is a foolish thing. Whether it is cosigning a loan or incurring your own debt, debt is foolish. Live within your means. Purchase only what you have income for. Do your best to acquire as little debt as you can. I realize that taking out a mortgage, or acquire emergency debt may be necessary in our financially inflated world. When we get our debt under control and minimize it as much as we can, I believe we will be honoring God on an entirely new level.

By the way, I am writing this as someone with too much debt. I have two credit card levels of debt, a mortgage, some medical, a vehicle loan, and student loans. My goal is in seven years to be entirely debt free minus my mortgage payment.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 3 – Proverbs 1- 3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 1 - 3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, the third God appointed King of Israel, son of David born to Bathsheba. In the beginning of Solomon’s reign God grants Solomon anything his heart desired. Solomon wisely asked for Wisdom. As a wise king he wanted his people to be wise and so he wrote proverbs to help his people be wise. God choose to include some of those in His word for us to learn from. Proverbs is unlike any other book in the Bible. In many books you can pick up a general theme or story from a chapter or section of scripture. This is not always the case with Proverbs. Many of the proverbs we find are short independent statements. However, the first several chapters of proverbs deal strictly with seeking wisdom in our lives.

I love the way chapter two starts out … “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:2-5 NLT) Let me ask you … do you pursue wisdom in your life? Do you track it like you would a deer in the woods or a treasure in the earth? Do you want to gain the knowledge of God? Do you want him to teach you, speak to, and mold you to be like him more and more? To gain wisdom is to draw nearer to God; to become more like him. That is noble goal for your life.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

June 2 – Song of Solomon 1 - 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Song of Solomon 1 - 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In the United States there are laws on many state and local books that seem to be outdated. Like … in Ohio it is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday … or in Ohio you must honk your horn whenever you pass another vehicle … or in Cripple Creek, Colorado it is illegal to bring your horse or pack mule above the ground floor of any building … or in Denver, Colorado it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor. These laws seem silly don’t they? Many were probably on the books when they made sense and in an era gone by.

Now those above are funny. But then there are a set of laws that many states have that deal in some way with sex. Like in Virginia there is a law on the books that it is illegal to have sex with the lights on and that only the missionary position is allowable. These laws date back to an era where sex was viewed as a dirty and secret deed. They date back to a time when discussion of sex was a taboo topic. When I think of the heart of these laws I realize that for a very long time we had missed the mark on God honoring sex.

God designed sex for multiple reason … procreation, recreation, and connection between a husband and a wife. The last part of that last sentence is the key though, God created sex for a husband and a wife. Sex should be a positive element in a marriage. Sex is important to a marriage. It is an activity that if done in a God honoring way only happens for those two people between those two people.

God created sex. He created it to be fun. He created it to be emotional. He created it to be messy. He created it to be hot. He created it to be pleasurable. He created it to be sensual. He created it to be venerable. He created it for connection. He created it to simply be for a husband and a wife to be drawn together in a one flesh way. God celebrates married sex. God spoke through Solomon to write an entire book of the Bible to be devoted to sex. God wants us to glorify him in our sex with our spouse. But he wants it to only be with our spouse.

There is a verse that pops up in our reading today over and over again. It first appears in chapter two verse seven in Song of Solomon … “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” (NLT) God created sex and gave it to us as a gift. However, it is a gift to be shared in a marriage relationship and no place else. We must be on guard to honor that gift. We must practice this ourselves if not married. We must share this with our kids, our grandkids, and those around us. God wants you to enjoy sex. He just wants you to wait, to awaken love in committed relationship. Let’s talk about sex, not in a prudish way, but in a way that brings glory to God’s creation.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.