| Bible Reading: | Psalm 139:1-24 |
| Key Verses: | For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13, NRSV |
| Few issues are as volatile as abortion—the removal of an embryo or fetus from a woman's body in order to end a pregnancy. The pro-abortion and pro-life camps are each convinced of the rightness of their own positions. But what does God say about abortion? While no Bible verse speaks specifically about it, there are Bible passages that give principles that apply to this difficult topic. In Psalm 139, David praises God for overseeing his life, starting before he was born. Because God is the Creator and Designer of all life, it is a logical conclusion that no one should treat that life lightly. Yet, tragically, abortion has become simply a means of birth control, of removing an unwanted complication. If you or a friend is faced with an unwanted pregnancy, you would be wise to read the Bible passages listed here and then seek the advice and wisdom of someone you trust. Abortion may end a problem, but it also ends a life. If you or a friend has had an abortion and feels guilty, remember that God forgives your sins. If you seek him and ask his forgiveness, he promises to answer your prayer. |
Genesis 1:26. We are made in God's image.
Genesis 4:8-10. Innocent blood calls to God.
Exodus 1:15-21. God detests the killing of infants.
2 Chronicles 28:2-5. God judges nations that kill children.
Isaiah 49:1, 5. We are called and known by God.
Jeremiah 16:17. God sees everything, including abortions.
Mark 9:36-37. Welcoming children is welcoming Christ.
Luke 18:15-17. Jesus welcomed children.
| Bible Reading: | Genesis 27:1-46 |
| Key Verses: | [Rebekah said to Jacob,] "Go now to the flock and bring me two choice kids from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father.... Then you shall bring it to your father..., so that he may bless you before his death." Genesis 27:8-10, NASB |
| When Rebekah learned that Isaac was preparing to bless Esau, she quickly devised a plan to trick him into blessing Jacob instead. Although God had already told her that Jacob would become the family leader (25:23-26), Rebekah took matters into her own hands. She resorted to doing something wrong to try to bring about what God had already said would happen. For Rebekah, the end justified the means. But no matter how good we think our goals are, we should not follow Rebekah's example and attempt to achieve our goals by doing what is wrong. |
| Bible Reading: | Joshua 7:1-26 |
| Key Verse: | Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Joshua 7:6, NKJV |
| When Joshua first went against Ai, he did not consult God but relied on the strength of his army to defeat the small city. Only after Israel was defeated did they turn to God and ask, "What happened?" Too often we rely on our own skills and strength, especially when the task before us seems easy. We go to God only when the obstacles seem too great. However, only God knows what lies ahead. Consulting him first, even when we are on a winning streak, may save us from grave mistakes or misjudgments. |
| Bible Reading: | Nehemiah 2:1-18 |
| Key Verse: | And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me, and also about the kings words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they put their hands to the good work. Nehemiah 2:18, NASB |
| Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it with enthusiasm, inspiring Jerusalem's leaders to rebuild the walls. Spiritual renewal often begins with one person's vision. But sometimes those who receive a vision underestimate people and don't challenge others with their dreams for God's work in the world. Don't see yourself as the only one through whom God is working. Often God uses one person to express the vision and others to turn it into reality. When God plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something for him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit to fill them with similar desires. |
| Bible Reading: | Nehemiah 6:15-7:4 |
| Key Verse: | And I said to them, "Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house" Nehemiah 7:3, NKJV |
| The wall was complete, but the work was not finished. Nehemiah assigned each family the task of protecting the section of wall next to their home. It is tempting to relax our guard and rest on past accomplishments after we have completed a large task. But we must continue to work, serve, and care for all that God has entrusted to us. Following through after a project is completed is as vital as doing the project itself. |
| Bible Reading: | Hosea 12:1-14 |
| Key Verse: | Ephraim has said, "Ah, I am rich, I have gained wealth for myself; in all of my gain no offense has been found in me that would be sin." Hosea 12:8, NRSV |
| Rich people and nations often claim that their material success is due to their own hard work, initiative, and intelligence. Because they have every possession they want, they don't feel the need for God. They believe that their riches are their own, and they feel they have the right to use them any way they please. When you find yourself feeling proud of your material success, remember that all your opportunities, abilities, and resources come from God and that you hold them in sacred trust for him. |
Genesis 11:1-9. We must glorify God.
Joshua 1:6-9. Success is obeying God.
Psalm 1:1-3. Those who delight in God's law will prosper.
Ecclesiastes 4:4. Don't let envy be your motivation for success.
Mark 10:42-45. Serve others.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Run straight to the goal.
Philippians 3:12-21. Keep focusing on your goals.
James 4:13-16. Make sure your goals please God.
(see also Success)
| Bible Reading: | Numbers 25:1-13 |
| Key Verses: | The Lord said to Moses, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them, so that in my zeal I did not put an end to them." Numbers 25:10-11, NIV |
| It is clear from Phinehas's story that some anger is proper and justified. But how can we know when our anger is appropriate and when it should be restrained? Ask these questions when you become angry: (1) Why am I angry? (2) Whose rights are being violated (mine or another's)? (3) Is the truth (a principle of God) being violated? If only your rights are at stake, it may be wiser to keep angry feelings under control. But if the truth is at stake, anger is often justified, although violence and retaliation are usually the wrong way to express it (Phinehas's case was unique). If we are becoming more and more like God, we should be angered by sin. |
| Bible Reading: | 1 Samuel 11:1-15 |
| Key Verses: | And the spirit of God came upon Saul in power when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!" Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one. 1 Samuel 11:6-7, NRSV |
| Anger is a powerful emotion that is often misused to hurt others. But anger directed at sin and the mistreatment of others is not wrong. Saul was angered by the Ammonites' threat to humiliate and mistreat his fellow Israelites. God used Saul's anger to bring justice and freedom. When injustice or sin makes you angry, ask God how you can channel that anger in constructive ways to help bring about a positive change. |
| Bible Reading: | Matthew 5:17-26 |
| Key Verse: | But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, "Raca," is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell Matthew 5:22, NIV |
| Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin too because it also violates God's command to love. Anger in this case refers to a seething, brooding bitterness against someone. It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and other destructive results. It can cause spiritual damage as well by keeping us from developing a spirit that is pleasing to God. Have you ever been proud that you didn't strike out and say what was really on your mind? Self-control is good, but Christ wants us to practice thought-control as well. Jesus said we will be held accountable even for our attitudes. |
| Bible Reading: | Mark 3:1-5 |
| Key Verse: | And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Mark 3:5, NKJV |
| Jesus was angry about the Pharisees' uncaring attitudes. His example teaches us that anger itself is not wrong. Rather, it's how we respond to our anger that may be wrong. Too often we express our anger in selfish and harmful ways. By contrast, Jesus expressed his anger by correcting a problem—healing the man's hand. Follow Jesus' example, and use your anger to find constructive solutions rather than to add to the problem by tearing people down. |
Genesis 4:6-8. Anger can lead to murder.
Numbers 20:1-12. Anger can have devastating results.
Numbers 22:29. Pride often causes anger.
1 Kings 21:4-10. Anger can lead to hatred and revenge.
Psalm 13. Tell God when you're angry.
Proverbs 19:19. A bad temper will get you into trouble.
John 2:14-16. We should be angry about those things that displease or insult God.
Romans 1:18-20. God makes his anger toward the wicked known.
Ephesians 4:26. Don't carry a grudge.
James 3:5-6. Don't speak in anger.
| Bible Reading: | Genesis 24:1-27 |
| Key Verse: | And the girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar, and came up. Genesis 24:16, NASB |
| Rebekah had physical beauty, but the servant was looking for a sign of inner beauty. Our appearance is important to us, and we spend time and money improving it. But how do we develop our inner beauty? Patience, kindness, and joy are the beauty treatments that help us become truly lovely on the inside. |
| Bible Reading: | 1 Samuel 16:1-13 |
| Key Verse: | But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7, NIV |
| King Saul was tall and handsome; he was an impressive-looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Saul to be Israel's next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone. But appearance doesn't reveal what people are really like or their true value. When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who simply lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Fortunately, God judges by character, not appearances. While we spend hours each week maintaining our outward appearance, we should do even more to develop our inner character. Everyone can see your face, but only you and God know what your heart really looks like. Which is the more attractive part of you? |
| Bible Reading: | 1 Samuel 30:21-31:13 |
| Key Verse: | Then Saul said to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me." 1 Samuel 31:4, NKJV |
| Saul was tall, handsome, strong, rich, and powerful. But all of this was not enough to make him someone we should copy. He was tall physically, but he was small spiritually. He was handsome, but his sin made him ugly. He was strong, but his lack of faith made him weak. He was materially rich, but he was spiritually bankrupt. He could give orders to many, but he couldn't command their respect or allegiance. Saul looked good on the outside, but he was decaying on the inside. Godly character is much more valuable than good looks. Work on being more Christlike rather than being more physically attractive. |
| Bible Reading: | Isaiah 3:12-26 |
| Key Verse: | The Lord said:...The daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet. Isaiah 3:16, NRSV |
| The women of Judah had placed their emphasis on clothing and jewelry rather than on God. They dressed to be noticed, to gain approval, and to be fashionable. Instead of being concerned about the oppression around them, they were self-serving and self-centered. Those who abuse their possessions will end up with nothing. These verses are not an indictment against clothing and jewelry, but a judgment on those who use them lavishly while blind to the needs of others. When God blesses you, don't flaunt it. Use what you have to help others. |
Proverbs 31:30. Beauty doesn't last.
Matthew 6:25-34. Don't worry about clothing.
1 Timothy 2:9-10. Develop "inside appearance."
1 Peter 3:3-5. True beauty is a gentle and quiet spirit