Proverbs 24 - 2.13.26

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 24:17-18

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.

Observation

When someone we disagree with has something bad happen to them, we often think, it’s about time or it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, or I am glad it happened to him all with a smile and a vengeful heart. The Lord does not like judgment on someone we dislike so much so it says he will turn his wrath away from that person.

How angry we can be at a social media post, politicians, or the news. Are we the judge of people? We see the Pharisees question the Disciples about who Jesus is talking with and breaking bread with. They were being judge and jury against Jesus. In Matthew 9:11 it says “When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” I wonder what the disciples were thinking. Are we becoming pharisees with people we disagree with?

Application

Our mission statement at DSC is “Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.” How can we gloat when our enemy fails and love them or make disciples of them at the same time? We know God loves us and them.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God loved us so much that he sent Jesus. We need to call out sin when we see it, but do we handle it with love and wisdom that only Jesus can give us? Christ restored us and we should do the same, not with yelling louder or posting memes

Prayer

My Jesus, how glorious is your name. May your name, Jesus, be glorified forever and ever. Jesus, you came here to restore me, and have a relationship with me. Teach me your ways O Lord. Let your word soak down into my soul. Hear my prayers O Lord.

You Jesus are the example on how I am to treat my enemies. Open my eyes to see people the way you see people. When I look at the world, I see bad, crooked, evil people.  Jesus, you see lost souls you love. You went to the Cross for them. Forgive me, Jesus, when I gloat. Let me examine myself through your lens Jesus. Amen

- Robert Oberg

2 Corinthians 10 - 2.12.26

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

OBSERVATION

In Chapter 10, the apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthian Christians.  And he will admit that he walks according to the flesh in the sense that we all do. He is a flesh and blood human being, and he struggles with the same things the Corinthians did.  And that we do.  However, Paul wants to make it clear that he does not war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (material weapons such as swords and spears).  When Paul fought, his weapons were not material but spiritual, suited for spiritual war. Paul would not defend his apostolic credentials with carnal weapons others used.

In Ephesians 6, Paul lists the spiritual weapons he used: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. To rely on these weapons took faith in God instead of carnal methods. But truly, these weapons are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

BUT HOW CAN WE TAKE every thought in our mind captive?   I try, and the next thing I know my mind goes “spinning” in the negative.  Last year, I prayed that the Lord would give me red flags’ when this happens and take captive my negative thoughts and cast them out.   But sometimes I stay in it too long before I “take captive—and cast out”.

To take every thought captive to Christ means to intentionally filter our thoughts through the lens of Christ’s teachings and values. This involves being mindful of our thought patterns, attitudes, and beliefs, and aligning them with the truth of God’s Word. We allow His truth to reign in our minds, guiding our perspectives and decisions by surrendering our thoughts to Christ.

Taking every thought captive to Christ also requires diligence and self-awareness. It involves examining our thoughts regularly and discerning whether they reflect the mind of Christ or are influenced by worldly patterns and beliefs. It’s essential to actively engage in prayer, meditation on Scripture, and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to help cultivate a Christ-centered thought life. Taking every thought captive to Christ ultimately empowers us to live in obedience to Him and resist the influence of the enemy’s schemes and worldly distractions. We position ourselves to grow in wisdom, understanding, and faith by surrendering our minds to Christ’s authority, allowing His truth to shape our beliefs, attitudes, and actions.

APPLICATION

What do I/we need in order to apply this in my/our life?  Pray, read and speak HIS words to ourselves and to others. As noted above under OBSERVATION, we position ourselves to grow in wisdom, understanding, and faith by surrendering our minds to Christ’s authority, allowing His truth to shape our beliefs, attitudes, and actions.  And TAKE CAPTIVE… our thoughts.

In contents of 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 is the GPS for overcoming the chaos around us. Christ gives strength to tear down any obstacle, any negative thought, that stands in our way.  

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you know my mind goes in the wrong direction sometimes “spinning” with negative thoughts and worry that pulls me down.  And, in YOU, I claim victory over my “spinning mind”.  I am reminded, that you my Father give me strength to tear down any obstacle, any negative thought, that stands in my way.   And my Lord, I CLAIM spiritual weapons for each one of my family and my DSC family: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.  Jesus, I believe you are drawing us closer to you for a purpose.  Thank you, I trust in your unfailing grace.

Isaiah 43:19 says “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” And all for your glory. Thank you, Lord Jesus. AMEN!

- Charleen Zakarian

2 Corinthians 9 - 2.11.26

Scripture

II Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Observation

In yesterday’s reading, Paul speaks about the Macedonian churches’ rich generosity in giving to support the spread of the Gospel in spite of their poverty and trials. Chapter 9 continues that discussion, boasting about their eagerness and pointing out that their enthusiastic giving stirred others into action. Paul is talking about financial giving. We are all called to bring the tithe into the storehouse. But in these chapters, Paul is talking about generosity above and beyond the tithe that God expects of all believers. And he urges us to remember that if we sow generously, we will also reap generously.

Application

I believe that the idea of generosity can be applied to other areas of our lives also: giving of our time, talents, love, support, and service to others. And just like I struggle sometimes with financial generosity, I also struggle with generosity in these other areas. I savor my time and have a hard time giving it away. Sometimes I commit to someone or something, and then struggle with my attitude. I have felt God speaking to me about this lately, and it is reinforced in today’s reading. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. If I feel that God has called me to serve, then I need to serve with a cheerful heart. I need to go into each and every opportunity prayed up and prepared for God to use me. 

I will always remember the time I called Brian Moen to ask him to help with a ministry at church and his response was, “It would be my honor.” Brian is a great example of someone who cheerfully gives of his time and talent to serve others. And there are many others in our church family who do the same. Thank you for your eagerness to help and the example you set.

Prayer

God, thank you for reminders, just when we need them. Thank you for working on my heart. Thank you for the many examples of generosity, both financially and in service to others, in our church family. May I serve You enthusiastically in all things knowing that you provide me with all I need.  

- Debbie Dunn