highlights for readings August 9-15

These were some of the highlights or thought provoking texts for me this week.

2 Corinthians 9-13
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9.6-8

You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thankgivings to God. 9.11-12

Paul's encouragement of giving and recognition of giving as an act of thanksgiving to God is good for each of us to hear.

Finally brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 13. 11-14

John 1:1-1:34

John's birth story is unique but worth hearing again because it does not focus on Bethlehem but on the good news of the character of God and the revelation of God in Jesus .

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. 1.1-5

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 1.14

Habakkuk 1-3

Prophetic words are often hard. Habakkuk cries out at God and for God. I appreciated these words from his prayer to God.

O LORD, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy. 3.2

Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exult in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights. 3.17-19

Habakkuk gives praise and thanks in all circumstances. A lesson for us all.

Zephaniah 1-3
Zephaniah calls forth a word of warning not just for Judah but for Israel's enemies. The great day of the LORD is a day to fear for those who sin against God.
The prophet concludes with a song of joy for the salvation of Jerusalem by God.

Haggai 1-2
Haggai's words are not those before the fall and exile but at the time when people were returning to Jerusalem. He speaks God's words of encouragement to rebuild the temple.

take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of host: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts. 2. 4b-9

How exciting it must have been for the people to hear these words. Churches today might also remember that God brings prosperity and a future greater than the past to those who work for God's purposes.

In these readings I find God's words to be true for today as for the days they were spoken.