Walk Like a Warrior

The weekend has come to an end and we are starting a New Week in the last week of October as we are gearing up to head into the eleventh month of the New Year YES! November is just around the corner lets take to heart these words of wisdom on how to Walk Like a Warrior when we are faced with a lot of situation and circumstances that sometimes are out of our control When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 READ JUDGES 6:1, 11–16 Eighteen-year-old Emma faithfully talks about Jesus on social media, even though bullies have criticized her joy and enthusiastic love for Christ. Some have attacked her with remarks about her physical appearance. Others have suggested a lack of intelligence because of her devotion to God. Though the unkind words cut deep into Emma’s heart, she continues to spread the gospel with bold faith and love for Jesus and others. Sometimes, though, she’s tempted to believe her identity and worth are determined by the criticism of others. When that happens, she asks God for help, prays for her persecutors, meditates on the words of Scripture, and perseveres with Spirit-empowered courage and confidence. Gideon faced fierce tormentors—the Midianites (Judges 6:1-10). Though God called him a “mighty warrior,” Gideon struggled to let go of his doubt, self-imposed limitations, and insecurities (vv. 11-15). On more than one occasion, he questioned the Lord’s presence and his own qualifications, but eventually surrendered in faith. When we trust God, we can live like we believe what He says about us is true. Even when persecution tempts us to doubt our identity, our loving Father confirms His presence and fights on our behalf. He affirms we can walk like mighty warriors armed with His absolute love, guarded by His endless grace, and secured in His reliable truth. By Xochitl Dixon REFLECT & PRAY God, please help us recall Your love and respond in grace every time someone tempts us to doubt our value or question our unique roles. Which verses help you remain steadfast when you’re tempted to doubt your identity and worth? What can you do to combat verbal attacks? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT When the Israelites cried out to God for help after years of ignoring Him (Judges 6:6), He sent a prophet who told them exactly what was wrong (vv. 7-10). Then God began to work, but Gideon had no idea what was happening. The story simply says, “The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah” (v. 11). Gideon asked the angel, “Where are all [God’s] wonders that our ancestors told us about?” (v. 13). Only when fire consumed Gideon’s offering (v. 21) did he sense God’s presence (v. 22). Despite this miraculous display, Gideon needed even more assurance from Him (vv. 36-40) before leading his tiny band against the enemy (ch. 7). Tim Gustafson

Braided Together

Oh My, We have made it to the end of the week I can't believe it's FRIDAY! again another week has come an gone as we take a moment to reflect on all that has transpired this week lets give God a Thank You for getting us through the week, I know it gets hard sometimes but we should always be in an attitude of Thanksgiving as we take a look at these words of wisdom from on High lets think about the friends or the people that God brings into our lives lets allow God to strengthen that bond with A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 READ ECCLESIASTES 4:9–12 A friend gave me a houseplant she’d owned for more than forty years. The plant was equal to my height, and it produced large leaves from three separate spindly trunks. Over time, the weight of the leaves had caused all three of the stalks to curve down toward the floor. To straighten them, I put a wedge under the plant’s pot and placed it near a window so the sunlight could draw the leaves upward and help cure its bad posture. Shortly after receiving the plant, I saw one just like it in a waiting room at a local business. It also grew from three long skinny stalks, but they’d been braided together to form a larger, more solid core. This plant stood upright without any help. Any two people may stay in the same “pot” for years, yet grow apart and experience fewer of the benefits God wants them to enjoy. When their lives are woven together with God, however, there is a greater sense of stability and closeness. Their relationship will grow stronger. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Like houseplants, marriages and friendships require some nurturing. Tending to these relationships involves merging spiritually so that God is present at the center of each important bond. He’s an endless supply of love and grace—the things we need most to stay happily united with each other. By Jennifer Benson Schuldt REFLECT & PRAY Dear God, I welcome You into my closest relationships today. What can you do to strengthen the spiritual bonds you share with the important people in your life? How might your relationships change if serving and worshiping God together became a priority? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT The book of Ecclesiastes is often classified as Poetry or Wisdom Literature. Traditionally, the author has been considered to be Solomon due to the reference “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1). But this kind of terminology was commonly used at the time to refer to a descendant who wasn’t necessarily a son. This person could be multiple generations down the line. Many scholars simply refer to the author as Qoheleth, the Hebrew word for teacher in Ecclesiastes 1:2, which refers to someone who instructs a group of people as in an assembly. And some scholars suggest the book was written by two authors because the language switches from first person to third person and back again. Julie Schwab

A Feast of Love

As we start this New Week with only one more week left in this month before we head into the 11th month of the New Year, Yes November is just around the corner but let us not get ahead of ourselves I want us to take a moment to reflect on these words of wisdom and let us walk in an attitude of Love with I am the living bread that came down from heaven. John 6:51 READ JOHN 6:47–59 In the Danish film Babette’s Feast, a French refugee appears in a coastal village. Two elderly sisters, leaders of the community’s religious life, take her in, and for fourteen years Babette works as their housekeeper. When Babette comes into a large sum of money, she invites the congregation of twelve to join her for an extravagant French meal of caviar, quail in puff pastry, and more. As they move from one course to the next, the guests relax; some find forgiveness, some find love rekindled, and some begin recalling miracles they’d witnessed and truths they’d learned in childhood. “Remember what we were taught?” they say. “Little children, love one another.” When the meal ends, Babette reveals to the sisters that she spent all she had on the food. She gave everything—including any chance of returning to her old life as an acclaimed chef in Paris—so that her friends, eating, might feel their hearts open. Jesus appeared on earth as a stranger and servant, and He gave everything so that our spiritual hunger might be satisfied. In John’s gospel, He reminds His listeners that when their ancestors wandered hungry in the wilderness, God provided quail and bread (Exodus 16). That food satisfied for a time, but Jesus promises that those who accept Him as the “bread of life” will “live forever” (John 6:48, 51). His sacrifice satisfies our spiritual cravings. By Amy Peterson REFLECT & PRAY Jesus, thank You for giving Your body and blood for us. How has God satisfied your hunger? What might it look like for you to give sacrificially? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT Of all the “signs” (miracles) Jesus performed, John only records seven that point to Jesus as God’s Son (John 20:30-31). The miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves in 6:1-14 is one of those. (It also appears in the other gospels—Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17.) The additional miracles John includes are changing water into wine (2:1-11), healing the official’s son (4:46-54), healing the paralyzed man (5:1-15), walking on water (6:16-21), healing the man born blind (9:1-7), and raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-45). Arthur Jackson

When We Praise

The week has come to an end we have made it to FRIDAY! Yes, we are gearing ourselves up to head into the weekend but before we do let us take a moment to reflect on these words of wisdom I know many of us are going through some tough challenges that are affecting us but we must know that we must put a Praise on it no matter what we are facing in life remember these words by our Heavenly Father and just watch him turn things around with At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16:26 READ ACTS 16:25–34 When nine-year-old Willie was abducted from his front yard in 2014, he sang his favorite gospel song Every Praise over and over again. During the three-hour ordeal, Willie ignored the kidnapper’s repeated orders to keep silent as they drove around. Eventually, the kidnapper let Willie out of the car unharmed. Later, Willie described the encounter, saying that while he felt his fear give way to faith, the abductor seemed agitated by the song. Willie’s response to his dire situation is reminiscent of the experience shared by Paul and Silas. After being flogged and thrown into jail, they reacted by “praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:25-26). Upon witnessing this awesome demonstration of power, the jailer believed in the God of Paul and Silas, and his entire household was baptized along with him (vv. 27-34). Through the avenue of praise, both physical and spiritual chains were broken that night. We may not always experience a visibly dramatic rescue like Paul and Silas, or like Willie. But we know that God responds to the praises of His people! When He moves, chains fall apart. By Remi Oyedele REFLECT & PRAY “[God], You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3 (nkjv) What lessons do you learn from the prayer session held by Paul and Silas? How can you apply these principles to the difficult circumstances you experience? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT Who was Paul? Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was a zealous persecutor of the early church—until his dramatic conversion to Christ (Acts 7:58; 8:3; 9:1-19; Galatians 1:13-14). He describes himself as “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5). Paul’s birthplace was in Tarsus, a city which lay on a major trade route in the province of Cilicia in Asia Minor. He was a Jew but also a Roman citizen by birth, which meant Paul probably received a Greek education as a youth. He was also well educated in the Old Testament and the Law through his training under the great teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Alyson Kieda

Strengthened in Song

Now that the weekend as come to an end and we are entering into the third week of October I hope that these words of wisdom bring Peace to you and your spirit as we all reflect and meditate on Gods words and to know that he is our Strength in Song with I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress. Psalm 59:16 READ PSALM 59:1, 14–17 When French villagers helped Jewish refugees hide from the Nazis during World War II, some sang songs in the dense forest surrounding their town—letting the refugees know it was safe to come out from hiding. These brave townspeople of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon had answered the call of local pastor André Trocmé and his wife, Magda, to offer wartime refuge to Jews on their windswept plateau known as “La Montagne Protestante.” Their musical signal became just one feature of the villagers’ bravery that helped save up to 3,000 Jews from almost certain death. In another dangerous time, David sang when his enemy Saul sent nighttime assassins to his house. His use of music wasn’t a signal; rather, it was his song of gratitude to God his refuge. David rejoiced, “I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 59:16). Such singing isn’t “whistling in the dark” during danger. Instead, David’s singing conveyed his trust in almighty God. “You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely” (v. 17). David’s praise, and the villagers’ singing in Le Chambon, offer an invitation to bless God today with our singing, making melody to Him despite the worries of life. His loving presence will respond, strengthening our hearts. By Patricia Raybon REFLECT & PRAY Dear God, strengthen my heart with praises that transform my fears and worries into worship of You. How do you feel when you’re singing your favorite praise song? Why do praise songs inspire us to feel stronger? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT In Psalm 59, the author uses the word fortress four times to underscore his view of God during life’s difficulties (vv. 1, 9, 16, 17). A fortress is a place of safety and security. It’s both a place of defense and rest, as well as a place where needs are met. It’s also where the enemy can be safely engaged. In verse 1, God is a fortress who protects from attacks. Verse 9 provides its own unique perspective to the idea of God as fortress. There the author says, “I watch for you.” When danger looms, the psalmist looks in confident expectation for the deliverance of God. He understands that when there’s a threat, nothing provides safety like Him. In recognition of this, we can join him in celebration and praise to God (vv. 16-17). J.R. Hudberg

The Main Actor

We have made it to the end of the week YES! It's FRIDAY! as the majority of us, college students are starting Fall Break I want to take this moment during this time to just truly reflect on Gods words I know sometimes as a College student we have a lot on our minds when it comes to dealing with Family, friends, relationships, homework, classwork, jobs just the day-to-day dealings that sometimes blocks our view of Christ during this time I hope these words of wisdom help encourage you to know that God is always on your side with The Lord has done this. Psalm 118:23 READ PSALM 118:6–9, 21–25 I once heard about a student taking a class in preaching at a prominent seminary. The student, a young man who was a bit full of himself, delivered his sermon with eloquence and evident passion. He sat down self-satisfied, and the professor paused a moment before responding. “That was a powerful sermon,” he said. “It was well organized and moving. The only problem is that God was not the subject of a single one of your sentences.” The professor highlighted a problem all of us struggle with at times: We can talk as if we’re the primary actor (emphasizing what we do, what we say) when in truth God is the primary actor in life. We often profess that God is somehow generally “in charge,” but we act as if all the outcomes depend on us. The Scriptures insist that God is the true subject of our lives, the true force. Even our necessary acts of faith are done “in the name of the Lord”—in the Lord’s power (Psalm 118:10-11). God enacts our salvation. God rescues us. God tends to our needs. “The Lord has done this” (v. 23). So the pressure’s off. We don’t need to fret, compare, work with compulsive energy, or feed our many anxieties. God is in charge. We need only trust and follow His lead in obedience. By Winn Collier REFLECT & PRAY God, I’ve been paying lip service to You being in charge of my world. It’s exhausting, and I want to stop doing that. Help me trust You. When are you most tempted to think you’re the main actor of your life? How has God invited you to let Him be the center of your life? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT Psalm 118 is one of the Hallel (praise) psalms that were sung at feast times in ancient Israel. Additionally, however, this particular song of celebration also contains elements of a messianic psalm—anticipating Israel’s Messiah. In Matthew 21:9, at Christ’s “triumphal entry,” the people affirm Psalm 118:25-26, saying, “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Hebrew word hosanna, meaning “Lord, save us,” echoes this song on the lips of the people. And when confronting the religious leadership in Matthew 21:42, Jesus claims Psalm 118:22-23 to be self-descriptive by affirming, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” While used liturgically in Israel’s feasts, Psalm 118 itself anticipates the coming of the One who would fulfill the ultimate meaning of those feasts. Bill Crowder

God’s Heart for Hypocrites

The weekend has come to an end I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend as we jump-start this New Week lets take these words of wisdom to heart She is more righteous than I. Genesis 38:26 READ GENESIS 38:16–26 “I’d be very disappointed if one of our team members did that,” said a cricket player, referring to a South African cricketer who’d cheated in a match in 2016. But only two years later, that same player was caught in a nearly identical scandal. Few things rankle us more than hypocrisy. But in the story of Judah in Genesis 38, Judah’s hypocritical behavior nearly had deadly consequences. After two of his sons died soon after marrying Tamar, Judah had quietly abandoned his duty to provide for her needs (vv. 8-11). In desperation, Tamar disguised herself by wearing a prostitute’s veil, and Judah slept with her (vv. 15-16). Yet when Judah learned that his widowed daughter-in-law was pregnant, his reaction was murderous. “Bring her out and have her burned to death!” he demanded (v. 24). But Tamar had proof that Judah was the father (v. 25). Judah could have denied the truth. Instead he admitted his hypocrisy, and also accepted his responsibility to care for her, saying, “She is more righteous than I” (v. 26). And God wove even this dark chapter of Judah and Tamar’s story into His story of our redemption. Tamar’s children (vv. 29-30) would become ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:2-3). Why is Genesis 38 in the Bible? One reason is because it’s the story of our hypocritical human hearts—and of God’s heart of love, grace, and mercy. By Tim Gustafson REFLECT & PRAY Help me to see, Father, that at the heart of the matter, we’re all hypocrites who need Your forgiveness. How do you react when you become aware of your hypocrisy? What would happen if we all became truly transparent with each other? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT There isn’t a Hebrew word that directly translates hypocrite, but the Greek word hypokrites is used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to render the word godless. The word hypokrites actually means “play actor.” It was a reference to the fact that Greek actors played their parts behind masks—implying that a hypocrite is one who deceives by masking their true intentions. Bill Crowder

He Calms the Storms

We have made it to the end of the week YES! It is FRIDAY! but not only have we made it to the end of the week Welcome to the tenth month of the New Year YES! my friends, it's October now that we have entered into this New month let us take a moment to reflect on these words of wisdom with so much change going on in the atmosphere these words will bring us comfort to help guide us on this ever-evolving journey to know that JESUS can calm any Storm that comes are way But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27 READ MATTHEW 14:23–33 Jim was frantically sharing about problems he was encountering with his work team: division, judgmental attitudes, and misunderstandings. After an hour of patiently listening to his concerns, I suggested, “Let’s ask Jesus what He would have us do in this situation.” We sat quietly for five minutes. Then something amazing happened. We both felt God’s peace cover us like a blanket. We were more relaxed as we experienced His presence and guidance, and we felt confident to wade back into the difficulties. Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples, needed God’s comforting presence. One night he and the other disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a strong storm arose. All of a sudden, Jesus showed up walking on water! Naturally, this took the disciples by surprise. He reassured them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Peter impulsively asked Jesus if he could join Him. He stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. But he soon lost focus, became aware of the dangerous and humanly impossible circumstance he was in, and started sinking. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus lovingly rescued him (vv. 30-31). Like Peter, we can learn that Jesus, the Son of God, is with us even in the storms of life! By Estera Pirosca Escobar REFLECT & PRAY Jesus, thank You that You have the power and authority to calm the storms in our lives. Help us to trust You. What storm of life are you going through today? What can you do to shift your focus from the storm to the One who can calm it? SCRIPTURE INSIGHT The gospels of Matthew and Mark describe two separate occasions when Jesus, in the presence of His frightened disciples, calms a storm on the lake of Galilee. In the first of these events, Jesus is asleep in the bow of the boat when a storm threatens to sink it (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41). In the second, the disciples are crossing the lake by themselves when Jesus comes to them in the storm walking on the waves (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-51). Although Luke describes only the occasion when Jesus was asleep in the boat (8:22-25) and John describes only the storm that occurred while He walked on water (6:16-21), the accounts in Matthew and Mark show us that by the time Christ stepped into the boat and calmed a storm with His presence, the disciples had already seen Him calm a storm with His command. Mart DeHaan