Blogs

Thrivent Financial provides insurance and investment services to a wide range of individuals. They were formed years ago through a merger of the Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance. They maintain a strong charitable giving focus and provide a page (the back page of their monthly magazine) to focus on a Bible verse submitted by one of their members and what that verse means to that person. For August 2017, they had selected the 12:12 Romans verse which has been one of my key life verses (and was our wedding verse back in 1973).

1:05 James "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." (NIV)

Don’t be afraid to ask for wisdom… Ask. It is a simple, short, and VERY powerful word. We need to do this more often. We need to ask God for wisdom. We need to strive to learn more about Him. We need His insights and understanding to help us in our daily lives. AND…He gives it freely, just for our asking!! Ask!

There continue to be daily postings of new verses and series for those followers on Facebook. With more than 40,000 Page LIKES the audience is growing and the participation on a daily basis is also increasing. Still room for MANY more so please join in! Find us at www.facebook.com/taketimeforgodsword and then checkin on the latest posting each day. The current series is on focusing on one verse from each of the 66 books in the Bible. When people are asked, "Do you know your Bible?", most of us are unsure how to answer.

As we are preparing to enter a new year (2016), we are all making plans for what we will do or change to try to make it a great year. Is one of those changes to be more loving and to let others see Christ working in your life? If so, then Matthew 5:16 is a great reminder verse. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (RSV) During our weekly Bible Studies at our church, we have discussed some of the current people who are making headlines. Some are famous people.

1 Corinthians 1:04 “I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,” (RSV)

Good news doesn't come often enough. When it does, it is refreshing, hope-filled, and welcomed. It just goes to show that the verses we associate with the Christmas story are NOT just for Christmas, but for the whole year long… just like those favorite Christmas carols, it’s OK to sing them even in July (and I often do).

Repetition has a great place in memorization processes but it is not enough. We also need to anchor the verses (and their locations) to something that stands out in our minds…something special or eventful or treasured. We need repetition for a variety of reasons… we weren’t listening or paying attention; we didn’t hear it correctly or completely; we heard it but didn’t focus on it long enough for it to truly register with us; and so on. The same is true for encouragement. We need to hear those words of love, support, comfort, enthusiasm, caring, etc. over and over and over again.

In our community in Illinois, today is Back-to-School day. There is uncertainty and excitement for the kids as they meet new teachers and kids that they didn’t have in their rooms last year. Parents (and grandparents) are excited to get back to ‘the routine’ that the school year represents. There are a lot of great teachers and schools which work at preparing the next generation of students to be good and capable citizens.

With summer days starting to close in on the start of school again, we all seem to want to get in those last activities just one more time… swimming, camping, playing games and cooking on the grill. I am sure a few cringed at the phrase ‘well done’ thinking that was the way to cook a steak or meats. The ‘well done’ that I think of is from Matt 25:21 which says, "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (NIV).

There is no question that life is getting more complicated with increasing civil and political unrest, increasingly aggressive terrorism, a complex international economy, and WAY too many passwords to remember. In 6:8 of Micah, the last part of the verse reads, “…And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV) Three simple statements or tasks… how to act… how to love.. and how to walk. If we are ‘to act justly’ then it means considering what is fair and right and moral not just what is easy or quick or politically correct.