My Faith View from Here - Daily readings and thoughts

The Poison Tongue Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) 2 Chronicles 33:1-34:7, Job 29, Jonah 3, James 3 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2033%3A1-34%3A7%2C%20Job%2029%2C%20Jonah%203%2C%20James%203&version=NASB1995 “No one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.” (James 3:8-10 NASB1995). When the book of James was written, communication was either spoken or written.  Today, we have another way of communicating that has changed things considerably.  Social media allows us to say things to a much larger audience, often without having to look the person we are speaking about in the eye. When we speak to someone face to face, we are more likely to see the reaction our words cause.  That doesn't mean we always think before we speak, or that we never say hurt...

Favouritism Fails Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) 2 Chronicles 32, Job 28, Jonah 2, James 2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2032%2C%20Job%2028%2C%20Jonah%202%2C%20James%202&version=NASB1995 I think we all do it to some degree.  We show favouritism.   Last Sunday, Syl and I visited another church.  Our own church is the Baptist church in Middleton, N.S., but we believe there's value in getting to know people in other congregations.  So last Sunday we visited a Wesleyan church in the morning and attended an event for the priest of an Anglican church in the evening When we visited the Wesleyan church we found a very welcoming environment.  A number of people recognized us as visitors and immediately socialized with us, directed us to where we’d find washrooms and where the all important coffee service was.  It’s one of the few churches that are just fine with you finding your seat while holding your coffee.  I may dr...

Perseverance  Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) 2 Chronicles 30:13-31:21, Job 27, Jonah 1, James 1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2030%3A13-31%3A21%2C%20Job%2027%2C%20Jonah%201%2C%20James%201&version=NASB1995 “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12 NASB1995) We’ve been reading the book of Job for almost a month now.  If there is one biblical character who can be described as persevering under trial, it is Job.  Not only does he lose his children, wealth and health but then he endured his, so-called friends pointing fingers at him, accusing him of wrongdoing and suggesting that he must be responsible for all that he has suffered.  In all his pain and difficulty, Job responded to his friends and said, “Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me”...

Communion Pot Luck Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) 2 Chronicles 29:20-30:12, Job 25-26, Obadiah 1 Hebrews 13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2029%3A20-30%3A12%2C%20Job%2025-26%2C%20Obadiah%201%20Hebrews%2013&version=NASB1995 “Let love of the brethren continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1–2 NASB1995). In the last week, Sylvia and I have been at 2 pot luck dinners and enjoyed dinner out with 4 friends.  You might say that we’ve, change that to I’ve, eaten too much in the last 3 of 4 nights. I absolutely love pot luck!  Sometimes it’s all potatoes, sometimes it’s all meat (a frustrating meal for vegans), sometimes all desserts but most often it’s a well rounded meal.   The pot luck we attended last evening was the most memorable.  It was memorable because we were saying farewell to an Anglican Priest who had become a friend in his...

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) 2 Chronicles 28:16-29:19, Job 24, Amos 9:11-15, Hebrews 12:1-17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2028%3A16-29%3A19%2C%20Job%2024%2C%20Amos%209%3A11-15%2C%20Hebrews%2012%3A1-17&version=NASB1995 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB1995) I mentioned, many posts ago, that I was a long distance runner in my teens.  I didn't become one because it was a lifelong dream.  I discovered I was a good runner when we did some running in my grade 7 physical education class.  From that experience, I decided I was going to be a long distance runner and eventually make it to the Olympics.  Whenever track and field came around at school, I would try out for the mile run and any other long distance event I could.  In high school, I joined the cross country team and competed in meets thro...

By Faith Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) 2 Chronicles 26:16-28:15, Job 23, Amos 9:1-10, Hebrews 11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2026%3A16-28%3A15%2C%20Job%2023%2C%20Amos%209%3A1-10%2C%20Hebrews%2011&version=NASB1995 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). By faith Abel…offered a better sacrifice By faith Enoch…did not see death By faith Noah…being warned by God about things not yet seen By faith Abraham…obeyed…not knowing where he was going By faith Sarah…received the ability to conceive By faith Abraham…offered up Isaac…considered God could raise Isaac from the dead By faith Isaac…blessed Jacob and Esau By faith Jacob…blessed each of the sons of Joseph By faith Joseph…made mention of the exodus of Egypt…giving orders about his bones By faith Moses…chose to endure ill treatment with the people of God Hebrews chapter 11 is a chapter about faith, with examples of biblical people who acted...