PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Eating meat???

Time to reflect: This passage is not really about whether or not to eat meat, although that was the issue that precipitated this diatribe by Paul. The real question is: are we sometimes called on to make a compromise for the sake of others? Being right is less important than not causing others spiritual harm. A commonly mentioned analog is giving up public consumption of alcohol by someone who doesn't have a problem with alcohol, for the sake of those who do have a problem with it.

Moving through the day: Can you think of a situation in your life where, although you may be right, you are called upon to make a compromise rather than cause someone else a problem?

Scripture:

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.

 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

 But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 111 Studying God's works

Time to reflect: The 3^rd verse struck me on this reading (how many times have I read them Psalm, but this particular time this phrase jumps out at me). If we delight in God's works, and are willing to see God's hand in things, we can see God's work everywhere. And as we study God's works, we delight in God's works more and more.

Moving Throughout the day: Through the day, “study God's works” -- everything from the structure of the universe to the incredible creature we call “humans” to the makeup of sub-atomic particles and everything in between. Then give God praise for this amazing creation.

 Scripture:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
       my hope comes from him.

 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God ;
       he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

  Trust in him at all times, O people;
       pour out your hearts to him,
       for God is our refuge.
       Selah

  Lowborn men are but a breath,
       the highborn are but a lie;
       if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
       together they are only a breath.

  Do not trust in extortion
       or take pride in stolen goods;
       though your riches increase,
       do not set your heart on them.

  One thing God has spoken,
       two things have I heard:
       that you, O God, are strong,

  and that you, O Lord, are loving.
       Surely you will reward each person
       according to what he has done.

PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Thursday

Scripture lesson: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Prophets

Time to reflect: This passage documents the creation of the office of Prophet. It was an official position in the Temple – a paid profession. It's purpose was to put a buffer between God and the people. They would convey God's word to the people, collectively and personally. As is indicated, the problem that arose was that Prophets tended to give the message those paying them wanted, rather than what God had actually wanted said. Prophets that told the truth, like Jeremiah was always getting in trouble for it. Even though the historical office of Prophet died with the Temple, we still think of certain people as speaking in behalf of God – some honestly, some dishonestly.

Moving through the day: Who in our time do you view as a true Prophet and who do you view as a false Prophet? What Prophets say things that get them in trouble? How well do you accept a prophetic word that you don't like to hear?

Scripture:

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die."

 The LORD said to me: "What they say is good. 1I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."

PrayerBits for Wednesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Wednesday

Scripture lesson: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 To God is the glory

Time to reflect: This is King David talking. It really is not typical for us to praise God, much less in such extravagant terms. But if David can do this why shouldn't we. We really don't like to think of God as a “ruler” and “master” or “head over all.” But if not God, then whom?

Moving through the day: Pray these words, slowly and carefully and think of their implications.

 Scripture:

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
       and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
       for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
       Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
       you are exalted as head over all.

  Wealth and honor come from you;
       you are the ruler of all things.
       In your hands are strength and power
       to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
       and praise your glorious name.

PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 44:6-8 No other god

Time to reflect: We keep looking for someone else to turn to to solve our problems or to give us the answers we want to hear. But is there, really, anyone more capable of giving us strength, comfort, guidance?

Moving through the day: Who/what are the false gods in your life? How helpful have they really been?

"This is what the LORD says—
       Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:
       I am the first and I am the last;
       apart from me there is no God.

 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
       Let him declare and lay out before me
       what has happened since I established my ancient people,
       and what is yet to come—
       yes, let him foretell what will come.

Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
       Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
       You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
       No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."