Tag: Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday November 13TH 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Last Sunday morning I led my church family in Communion, as I do once a month – usually on the first Sunday. This month Communion had a Thanksgiving theme to it. (Think Psalm 100.) Next #SundayScripture I plan to present it here in its entirety, as it will be the final Sunday before Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S.A.

As for this week I continue presenting my September 18TH 2022 sermon – “Good & Evil” – in its original written form. It’s based on 1 Peter 3:8-4:8, and it effectively wraps-up my First Peter message series which I began in 2021. Here’s Part 6:

Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you – they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember – it is better to suffer for doing good – if that is what God wants – than to suffer for doing wrong ! (1 Peter 3:16b-17)

Christ suffered for our sins – once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit. (3:18)

Our God will come again – not to deal with our sins. He already did that. No. He’s coming back to bring salvation to all of us who are eagerly waiting for Him. Yes. I know we’ve been rescued and saved, and this salvation is glorious. But there’s an even greater salvation – an eternal salvation that’s waiting for us. Therefore:

You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy – their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (4:2-3)

And the younger me was guilty of all of those things. You know I often wonder what my life would’ve been like had I accepted God into my heart as a teenager, or in my 20s, or even in my early-30s. Where would I be today if I were saved and rescued – 40 years ago – instead of 16 years ago. You know it’s good to look back at where we’ve been, and how we got here with the grace and mercy of God. But the LORD says “Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See – I am doing a new thing ! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it ?” (Isaiah 43:18-19a NIV)

Our God is always doing a new thing for us. And we never know what it is until we see it. Sometimes we miss out on it – because we’re dwelling on something old. We must keep our eyes on God’s gifts along the way to that spectacular event at the end that changes everything forever !

Of course – your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God – who stands ready to judge everyone – both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead – so although they were destined to die like all people – they now live forever with God in the Spirit. (1 Peter 4:4-6)

(End of Part 6)

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday November 06TH 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

In the days after I preached my sermon – “Give & Take” – to my brothers and sisters of my church family – I began writing my next sermon which I’ll be preaching in December. I was originally looking to preach on Obadiah. He was a prophet of Judah very soon after Babylon King Nebuchadnezzar and his army destroyed Jerusalem.

I couldn’t set a direction or a theme for that sermon, so God led me away from that idea, and I ended up creating, starting, and actually finishing my next sermon in less than 7 days on Titus on the island of Crete. That sermon is tentatively titled “Paul & Titus”, and I actually cover Paul’s entire letter to Titus (all 46 verses). I know that you can easily create 2, 3, or even 4 sermons from Titus. I elected to do it in 1.

Last Sunday morning I was asked about my availability for 2 Sundays in a row in December. I’m available to preach. I’ve always wanted to do a traditional Christmas sermon, so I’m planning to do that on the Sunday before Christmas. I’ll work on Obadiah for February 2023.

Here on #SundayScripture I continue presenting my September 18TH 2022 sermon – “Good & Evil” – in its original written form. It’s based on 1 Peter 3:8-4:8, and it effectively wraps-up my First Peter message series which I began in 2021. Here’s Part 5:

Now – who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good ? But even if you suffer for doing what is right – God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. (1 Peter 3:13-14)

Suffering is the overall theme of Peter’s first letter to the persecuted Christians. His point is that – as Christians – we will suffer for doing good. See we’re not doing what the world is doing. We’re not blending in with the world. We’re different. We’re counter-cultural. And the culture – the world – reacts with hostility. That’s mockery. That’s discrimination. That’s violence. That’s death in many places around the world – including right here in the U.S.A.

That’s a lot of evil to go around against Christians. You know our God suffered. Christ suffered on the cross – for us. He suffered, and then He was glorified. We suffer, and then – we will be glorified.

The Bible says that since we are His children – we are His heirs. We are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory – we must also share His suffering. (Romans 8:17)

For the more we suffer for Christ – the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:5)

I absolutely love this next verse from Peter’s first letter, and I often quote it in preaching – like right now:

You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer – always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. (1 Peter 3:15-16a)

Now that part right there – about doing it in a gentle and respectful way. That’s actually the start of the 16TH verse of 1ST Peter Chapter 3 – in my favorite New Living Translation. But in most of the other popular translations of the Bible – it’s a continuation of the 15TH verse. These are the things that I look out for when I study the Bible and various popular translations of it. I’ve been told that I’m a Bible nerd. And I’m proud of that.

As Christians we must know what we believe in, and when someone asks us what we believe in – we must be ready to explain it – in a gentle and respectful way.

Other Bible translations use these words – with gentleness and respect – with gentleness and fear – with meekness and fear – with gentleness and reverence – in meekness and in reverence – with humility and fear. Give a kind and respectful answer – with modesty and fear – with courtesy and respect – modestly and cautiously.

In other words – if someone wants to know about the God that you know – then be ready to tell them, but don’t offend them. Don’t tell them what they’re doing wrong. Don’t tell them where they’re going. Tell them all about the God who loves you. Tell them all about the God who loves them. Tell them all about the God who’s waiting for them with open arms. Tell them all about the God who lifted you out of the pit of despair – out of the mud and the mire.

(End of Part 5)

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday October 30TH 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Last Sunday morning I preached my sermon – “Give & Take” – to my brothers and sisters of my church family. It was about seeking that perfect balance of giving (out) and taking (in) on this day-to-day journey. I struggled with that during my first 8 years on this journey.

Near the end of my sermon I played the official lyric video for Casting Crowns’ “Praise You In This Storm”. I really like the lyrics that read – “I’ll raise my hands, and praise the God – who gives and takes away.” That’s our God. He gives us what we need. He takes away from us what we don’t need. We must take from Him what He is giving to us. Our God has a lot to give to us. He’s given us a lot already, but there’s so much more to come. The best is yet to come. Are you ready to take what’s He’s giving you ? Do not miss out on His gifts to you. He’s got miracles for you.

This morning I get to sit down and take in God’s Good News as preached by my Pastor, and I preached about that last Sunday morning. I always enjoy preaching for my church family, but I definitely look forward those Sunday mornings when I can rest, listen, and absorb the Gospel. We’ll be showing our appreciation for our Pastor this morning in observance of Pastor Appreciation Month (every October).

Here on #SundayScripture I continue presenting my September 18TH 2022 sermon – “Good & Evil” – in its original written form. It’s based on 1 Peter 3:8-4:8, and it effectively wraps-up my First Peter message series which I began in 2021. Here’s Part 4:

You know it’s good to read – and sing – from the Book of Psalms. Put your own melody to the words. The Apostles quoted the Psalms. Our Lord Jesus quoted the Psalms. They lived out of them. We should live out of them. The Psalms are God’s inspired and given word. The Psalms are just as relevant today as they were a thousand years before Christ.

Early on in my journey I realized that while much of Scripture delivers words from God to man – the Psalms – they provide man with words to say and sing to God.

Can’t think of the right words at the time to say to God for what you need from Him ? Well to that I’d say that you’re trying too hard. “But Chris you don’t understand. When I talk to God it makes no sense.” Don’t worry about what makes sense or not. What makes no sense to you makes perfect sense to our all-knowing God. Just talk to him using normal words. You don’t need fancy words to talk to God. He knows what you’re saying. He knows what you’re thinking. He knows what you need. Tell Him. He loves to hear your voice.

Praise & Worship to our God must not just be a Sunday morning routine. It must be a daily routine – morning, afternoon, and evening. Talk to Him. Read verses of a Psalm to Him. Sing to Him. He must be first and center with each new day that He gives you on this journey.

Early on in my journey I realized that although I may be alone (no other people around) – I’m never lonely, for I’ve got our God right there with me. I’ve got the Holy Spirit within me. If you believe. If you follow. If you trust. If you love. Our God is with you always and forever.

(End of Part 4)

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday October 23RD 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Last Sunday morning I preached my sermon – “Blessings & Benedictions” – to my brothers and sisters of my church family. I anticipated it to be about a 40-minute sermon – and it was just that. This morning I’m preaching again. It’s a sermon titled “Give & Take”, and it appears to be about a 35-minute sermon. I can easily preach for an hour or more, and a few times I’ve done just that. My Pastor favors 35-to-45-minute sermons. His wife will get on him for being “long-winded” when he goes longer than that. (She runs “Childrens’ Church”, so you can imagine her reasoning.) Since my Pastor aims for 35-to-45-minutes, so do I. After 45 minutes the church family starts to get restless, so I always try to finish my messages with my brothers and sisters wanting more and anticipating the next time that I get the opportunity to preach.

Here on #SundayScripture I continue presenting my September 18TH 2022 sermon – “Good & Evil” – in its original written form. It’s based on 1 Peter 3:8-4:8, and it effectively wraps-up my First Peter message series which I began in 2021. Here’s Part 3:

And back to Peter’s letter (3:10-12):

For the Scriptures say – “If you want to enjoy life (yes) and see many happy days (definitely – then do what ?) – keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil.”

So whenever you see that phrase – “For the Scriptures say” – in the New Testament – and Peter’s letter is New Testament – it quotes Scripture from the Old Testament – before Christ.

In fact Peter quotes Scripture from the 34TH Psalm (12-16) – that’s Old Testament:

Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous ? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies ! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right. His ears are open to their cries for help. But the LORD turns His face against those who do evil. He will erase their memory from the earth.

Godly people (that’s us – we strive to be godly with each new day – not just on Sunday – but every day) – Godly people control their words. They think before they speak. Well – not all the time. Sometimes we speak – without thinking. Sometimes we speak – without listening. Sometimes it’s best to listen and think – without speaking. It was a Greek philosopher a long long time ago who once said, “We have 2 ears and 1 mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

That great preacher of law – Judge Judy – she often used a variation of that phrase on her show. She said – OK – she yelled, “God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason, so put on your listening ears !” (I like Judge Judy. She’s been on TV for 26 years, and I’ve been watching her – all 26 years.)

Wicked people are full of cursing, and lies, and threats. We know people like that. Some of us may have been like that before salvation in Christ. The Psalmist says that trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. (10:7)

Yep we all know some wicked people. Some of them are our friends and neighbors. We may even have some family members who are foolish and wicked. We must search for peace, and we must work to maintain it. You see peace leads to harmony. Peace leads to order. Peace and harmony and order is good. Evil destroys peace and harmony and order. Our God – He created peace. He brings peace to a chaotic world. That’s what we have right now – chaos in this world. Our God brings peace to this chaos through His believers and followers – through His present-day disciples and priests. That’s us. That’s His church. Our God rescues the wise. He will destroy the foolish on that day to come.

So Peter quotes from the 34TH Psalm. Just as a side note – I greeted you earlier – during Praise & Worship – from the start of the 34TH Psalm when I proclaimed:

I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the LORD. Let all who are helpless take heart. Come ! Let us tell of the LORD’s greatness. Let us exalt His name together. (1-3)

(End of Part 3)

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp