Plainfield Ponderings - Scripture Meditations

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Ponder with me about God's angel armies!  They are all around.  They are awaiting God's direction at any moment to help His cause.  This was the case in II Kings 6 when the Syrian army showed up to capture and/or kill Elisha.  Elisha's servant is rattled but Elisha doesn't react the same.  He sees something his servant isn't seeing.  Are we seeing like his servant, or like Elisha?  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about who can be an elder in God's church.  In a previous episode we began thinking about how impactful leaders in the church can be, for the good or for the bad.  Leaders make a difference!  That's why God wants elders in every church (Acts 14:23).  But who can be an elder?  The primary passages that talk about their qualifications are I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.  Ponder those with me and the implications that they are slightly different lists, given to different churches in different areas.  Finally, why are overseers so needed?  As Paul will state following the list of qualifications in Titus - "whole families" are at stake.  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about perspective on what we've been forgiven, and how it plays into how we forgive others.  In our last shorter pondering-devotional entitled "Dinner with a Pharisee", we spoke about how forgiveness is a matter of perspective.  When we are seeing clearly what we have been forgiven of, we will honor and reverence Jesus as that sinful woman did.  Jesus challenges us with even more, as He usually does.  This perspective of being forgiven SO MUCH must also change how we forgive others.  If it doesn't, what then?  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about how and why suffering came into existence.  God didn't create a world with pain, death or any semblance of suffering.  That was only introduced because of sin.  Because that's the case, many of us are tempted to think we are being punished for our own sins when we suffer.  This is at the heart of the discussion between Job and his friends.  Most of the time, suffering is not a punishment of our own sins.  It's just not that simple.  There are times when it is completely senseless...but even in those moments there is something to be learned.  Please continue on in this journey of Job and thinking about this difficult subject.  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about the impact of leadership!  Both positively and negatively God's people have always been swayed by their leaders.  God wants every congregation to have great leadership.  That starts with the eldership.  Many religions, even amongst modern day "Christianity" have all kinds of organizational structures and leadership models that are nowhere seen in the New Testament.  What we do find is that God's will for each congregation is to have Elders.  But what are they?  What are the words used to describe this office?  Please join with me in thinking about the impact of leadership and beginning to define the office of Elder/Overseer/Shepherd/Pastor.  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about appreciating forgiveness is really a matter of perspective.  Jesus went over to Simon the Pharisee's home and a parable broke out!  But only after a woman interrupted the dinner with an amazing act of humility.  Jesus asked Simon if he saw her.  Do we?  Furthermore, do we see the moneylender?  To God be the glory! 

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Ponder with me more about the book of Job!  We can't even get out of chapter 1 without being confronted that God at least allows all suffering.  Job's suffering was extreme and intense.  How could he go through it and fall to his knees in worship?  What were the things he was thinking while his wife wanted him to curse God?  Powerful principles to help us deal with our suffering!  But then comes the friends of Job...join in with me in this journey of some of life's hardest questions.  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about contentment.  It is absolutely central to having a mind of thanksgiving.  In this society which is constantly reminding us of what we don't have and all the upgrades we "need", it's not easy.  It's not a poor man's problem either.  It takes as much effort to learn contentment in rich people too.  Fortunately, we have the example of the apostle Paul who lived in poverty and in riches.  He found a secret to living in both arenas - it applies to everyone, no matter the situation.  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about true living!  The most famous line of Habakkuk is, "the righteous will live by their faith" (2:4).  God wasn't telling Habakkuk how people could live physically and escape the invasion.  He was emphasizing something deeper, more meaningful.  Let's compare Habakkuk's focus with what Jesus is focusing on.  Jesus quotes a verse that has the same exact Hebrew form of the word "live".  Fascinating stuff!  Ask yourself after listening, am I wanting to live or "live"?  To God be the glory!

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Ponder with me about some of the incredible things said about the church.  The way people view it and how Scripture views the church are often so different.  Many think of it as a "side benefit" of religion.  God views it as one of the greatest evidences of His wisdom, a perfect plan for growth, a defense against hardening hearts...and so much more!  Let's train our minds to think about Christ's church the way He does.  Finding the King AND His people is worth everything we've got (Matt. 13:44).  To God be the glory!

Please email me any comments or questions at [email protected]