October 6

Today's Reading

Jeremiah. I was struck by these verses. "4 But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord’s Temple is here. They chant, “The Lord’s Temple is here! The Lord’s Temple is here!” 5 But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; 6 only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols. 7 Then I will let you stay in this land..." My first thought was a still picture I have seen advertising the movie, "The Exorcist" (no, I haven't seen the movie). In it, the old priest is standing against enemy forces holding up a cross. The cross as a piece of jewelry or a carved figure has no power. It is committed faith in what Jesus did on that cross that brings victory. We, in this country, are in danger of being like Judah. "This is a 'Christian nation!'" "In God We Trust." Those are just words if our hearts are far from God.

Colossians. One of the great battles we fight is against the feelings of condemnation that we carry inside us. Satan is called "the accuser." Notice what Paul wrote: "14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities." If we are in Christ, we are not condemned!

Psalms. "He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands." We each have a responsibility to teach our children. It can be a glorious task; it can also be heartbreaking.

Proverbs. It is so much better to speak the truth, even if it hurts. But do it in genuine love, hoping for the best in the other person.

What have you noticed today?