20-20 Blog

Today’s Bible Reading: Ezekiel 38; Ezekiel 39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Ezekiel 38:23 I’ll show you how great I am, how holy I am. I’ll make myself known all over the world. Then you’ll realize that I am God.

Ezekiel 39:27 I’ll use them to demonstrate my holiness with all the nations watching.

Psalm 145:8 God is all mercy and grace—
not quick to anger, is rich in love.

9 God is good to one and all;
everything he does is suffused with grace.

13 God always does what he says,
and is gracious in everything he does.

14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

Observation:

These verses demonstrate God’s character, his very nature. God’s nature can be a comfort or a terror, depending on which side of the fence you’re on.

Application:

I am to be like God. He wants me to be holy, just as he is holy. He wants me to be full of mercy and grace, not quick to anger, rich in love. He wants me to be good to one and all, do what I say and be gracious in everything I do. God wants me to give a hand to those down on their luck.

Prayer:

Father God, I cannot fulfill this vision unless you do it through me, so may your Spirit work in me to become like you.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Lamentations 3; Lamentations 4; Lamentations 5; Revelation 15 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Lamentations 5:22 Bring us back to you, God—we’re ready to come back.
Give us a fresh start.
As it is, you’ve cruelly disowned us.
You’ve been so very angry with us.

Observation:

The chapters I read today in Lamentations and Revelation are full of God’s wrath. We don’t hear much about God’s wrath in sermons these days. It’s not really a popular subject, but it is true, none-the-less.

There comes a time, after God pleads over and over and warns us over and over, that his justice prevails, and his anger with sin takes action, but always—until we die, God is ready to receive us back, to completely forgive and restore our relationship with him, to give us a fresh start.

Application:

What am I doing that is breaking God’s heart? Am I living a life that brings God pleasure or makes him angry? If I’ve drifted away, I can ask God to bring me back. I can ask him for a fresh start.

Prayer:

Father God, give me a fresh start today. Give me a heart that willingly follows hard after you!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143; Psalm 144 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 143:10
Teach me how to live to please you,
      because you’re my God.

Observation:

David asks God to teach him how to please God. How to please God is something that must be taught—not something we do naturally. It’s a learned behavior. What comes naturally is how to please ourselves.

Just like a child would be totally self-centered if not corrected by a parent, so we would be self-absorbed if we didn’t have God teach us how to walk in a manner that pleases him.

Application:

Don’t focus on your own comfort or having your own way today. Ask God to show you what would please him. Be willing to do what the Spirit of God whispers in your ear.

Prayer:

Father God, here I am. What would you like me to do today?

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Today’s Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

1 John 5:13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

Observation:

God wants me to call on him. He not only promises to answer, but he promises to tell me marvelous and wondrous things I could never figure out on my own! Boldness and freedom to call on God come when I believe in Jesus, God’s Son, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have eternal life. Then I am free to ask according to his will, and I can be sure he’s listening and will give me what I ask for.

Application:

God invites you to call on him, so call on God with confidence, boldness, and freedom. Ask him for whatever you need that is according to his will. He will listen and answer.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Habakkuk 1; Habakkuk 2; Habakkuk 3; John 8 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Habakkuk 2:20 “But oh! God is in his holy Temple!
Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!”

John 8:23 Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this.

John 8:29 The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn’t abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him.”

Observation:

Habakkuk slips this little verse in among many verses of despair at what he sees happening around him. It’s as though he all of a sudden gets a glimpse of God when he takes his eyes off the current events swirling around him. And that glimpse brings him up short.

Getting in God’s presence makes you stop complaining and fills you with awe at his holiness. It makes you shut up and listen.

In John 8 Jesus says that people tend to live by what they see and touch, and so they miss God “in all this,” which probably refers to the events going on around them. Jesus was focused on his Father and was sure of one thing—God was with him and would not abandon him.

Jesus took great joy in pleasing God the Father.

Application:

Instead of focusing on the events swirling around me, keep my eyes focused on God in his holy temple, awesome in glory, totally in charge. Stop babbling and listen to him. Stop worrying and trust in him. Take joy in doing what pleases this amazing, in-charge God you belong to and serve!

Prayer:

Father God, You are in your Holy Temple. I’m quiet before you.

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Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

John 4:29 “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out.”

Observation:

God knows everything about me, inside and out. Nothing is hidden from God. Yet he still loves me and wants to be involved with me. Incredible!

Application:

Turn to this God who knows you inside and out and yet still loves you! Don’t act as though you’re getting away with things, ‘cause you’re not. But turn to him and bask in his love.

Prayer:

Father God, I’m so honored that you would pay attention to me, that you care enough about me to know me inside and out.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 63; Isaiah 64; Psalm 107; John 2 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Isaiah 64:3–4
Since before time began
   no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
   who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
   who keep a good memory of the way you work.

Psalm 107:6
Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.
      He got you out in the nick of time;
vs 43
 If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—
      it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.

Observation:

God is in the business of helping those who trust in him and wait for him, and do what is right. Even if I blow it and find myself in a desperate situation, I can call out to God, and he will help me. God loves it when I appreciate his deep love for me.

Application:

What is to prevent me from calling out to God when I need help? Why sit and stew, or even sit and just wait? God really likes to be asked! And when God provides, helps, heals, and comes through for me, I must not forget to tell him thanks and appreciate his deep love for me!

Prayer:

I’m calling out to you today, God. I place my need in your capable hands! Thank you that you see and hear and answer my prayer!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 60; Isaiah 61; Isaiah 62; John 1 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Isaiah 60: 1–3 “Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.
   God’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
   all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you,
   his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Nations will come to your light,
   kings to your sunburst brightness.

Isaiah 60:21–22 They’re the green shoot that I planted,
planted with my own hands to display my glory.
The runt will become a great tribe,
the weakling become a strong nation.
I am God.
At the right time I’ll make it happen.”

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.

Observation:

The glory and splendor of God is often described as light and contrasted with the darkness and night of the world. God’s people reflect God’s glory, and that is what attracts others to us:
“But God rises on you,
his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Nations will come to your light,
kings to your sunburst brightness.”

My purpose in life is to display God’s glory:
“They’re the green shoot that I planted,
planted with my own hands to display my glory.”

Jesus was God’s glory in flesh and blood so people could actually see what God was like:
“The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son.

Application:

I can only reflect God’s glory when I’m looking at God, focused on him. It’s not about me. It’s about him. Letting his light shine through me. Letting his love shine through me. Then, and only then, will I be a true reflection of God’s glory and display that glory to the nations around me.

Prayer:

Father God, today is my day to shine—to reflect your glory. Keep my focus on you!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 57; Isaiah 58; Isaiah 59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 103:1–5
O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don’t forget a single blessing!

He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

Psalm 103:19–22
God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God, you angels,
ready and able to fly at his bidding,
quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

Observation:

In Psalm 103 David gives me many reasons to bless God, including the fact that God forgives me, heals me, redeems me from hell and lavishes me with love, mercy, and goodness. Oh, and he renews my youthfulness!

At the end of Psalm 103 David tells the angels and all creatures to bless God, and ends with telling his own soul to bless God.

Application:

I usually think of asking God to bless me! When I pray I seldom bless God. Perhaps I’m just too caught up in what I need and want and forget that God deserves and appreciates being blessed.

What does it mean to bless God? I don’t think it means to add anything to God like he does to us, where he blesses us with forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and mercy as well as physical abundance.

What could I possible add to God?

I think blessing God means that I acknowledge what he has done for me. That I’m aware of who provides me with my daily life and am thankful and grateful for his blessings to me.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you. Thank you for the many blessings you’ve given me.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 50; Isaiah 51; Isaiah 52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Isaiah 50:4
He wakes me up in the morning,
Wakes me up, opens my ears
to listen as one ready to take orders.

Observation:

God knows everything about my life, my business, my family, and he wants to give me his marching orders first thing in the morning. It’s HIM who wakes me up and whispers in my ears what I need to do today!

Application:

What better person to listen to than the One who already knows what will happen and can give me the inside scoop of what I should be doing today? And what better time of day to be tuned into what God has to say than first thing in the morning, when I need to plan out my day?

Prayer:

Good morning, God! I’m listening—go ahead and give me your marching orders!

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