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From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 20
Lord Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 126:1-3 | Ezekiel 40:28-41:26 | James 4:1-17 | Proverbs 28:3-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: James 4:1-17

“Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:14 ESV)

I worked for many years with a pastor that had many colorful expressions from his Kentucky upbringing. As I was leaving the church each day, I’d say something like, “See ya.” He’d always reply the same way, “Lord Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise.” I just wrote it off as another one of those expressions that I don’t really get, and thought it was probably not worth the energy to pursue.

I remember not longer after that running into this passage in James, and realizing it probably was one key to understanding the: “Lord…

From Open Up Your Heart by jeff Syverson

November 19
Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 125:1-5 | Ezekiel 39:1-40:27 | James 2:18-3:18 | Proverbs 28:2

Today’s Scripture Focus: James 2:18-3:18

“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10 ESV)

The tongue is a powerful force for evil or for good. James encourages us to be people who bless rather than curse with our tongues. He does so by illustrating the power of the tongue.

He describes the tongue like a small bit that can turn and guide a large horse. He says it is like the small rudder of a ship that can turn the whole ship and set its course. It is like a spark that sets a whole forest ablaze.

I think we all know the truth of those word pictures. Anyone…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 18
Mirror, Mirror

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 124:6-8 | Ezekiel 37:1-38:23 | James 1:19-2:17 | Proverbs 28:1

Today’s Scripture Focus: James 1:19-2:17

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25 NIV)

Did you look in the mirror this morning? What did you see?

Each morning I roll out of bed, and begin my morning ritual. One of the first things that I do is look in a mirror. Usually that is enough to scare me into showering, shaving and getting ready for the day. It’s a daily reminder that I’m not ready to go out into the world yet –-and they certainly aren’t ready for me looking like this.

In a similar way…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Nov 17

Wisdom

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 124:1-5 | Ezekiel 35:1-36:38 | James 1:1-18 | Proverbs 27:23-27

Today’s Scripture Focus: James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NIV)

God loves to give us his wisdom. He wants us to ask him for it. He never gets tired of our coming back again and again to ask for it. He never faults us for asking over and over again.

He lays down two conditions. We must ask for it. James tells us in chapter 4: “you do not have because you do not ask.” We often trust our own wisdom and neglect to ask God for his wisdom.

The other condition is faith. “But let him ask in faith, for the…

November 16
Through Us and In Us

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 123:1-4 | Ezekiel 33:1-34:31 | Hebrews 13:1-25 | Proverbs 27:21-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 13:1-25

Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

As the letter comes to an end, the writer of Hebrews gives a blessing. He first blesses them by asking that God would provide everything they need to do the work he has called them to do– everything they need for doing his will.

What tasks has God given you to do today? Do you believe that God will give you…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 15
Practical Holiness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 122:1-9 | Ezekiel 31:1 – 32:32 | Hebrews 12:14-29 | Proverbs 27:18-20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 12:14-29

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV)

As Christians, we are called to a life of holiness. But what does that mean? To some it might bring images of life in a monastery rejecting all worldly things to spend the rest of my life in prayer and solitude. To others, it means a rigid life of keeping rules and trying hard. Many of our images of holiness suggest a joyless existence–rigid and austere. But that…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 14
Keep Running

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 121:1-8 | Ezekiel 29:1 – 30:26 | Hebrews 11:32-12:13 | Proverbs 27:17

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:32-12:13

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1b-2 NIV)

The life of faith is a marathon requiring great determination and endurance. The race is filled with difficulties. The heroes of faith at the end of chapter 11 sacrificed much for their faith–sometimes everything.

I suppose we all have times when we feel tired and weary and are tempted to quit. In those times we are, in essence, told by the writer, “Don’t give up, keep running…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 13
Faith That Passes the Test

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 120:1-7 | Ezekiel 27:1-28:26 | Hebrews 11:17-31 | Proverbs 27:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:17-31

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30 NIV)

Your faith will be tested. For Abraham it was a test of “willingness.” Would he be willing to sacrifice his only son even though it made no earthly sense and seemed to contradict everything he knew about God and his promise?

Joseph’s faith was tested in numerous ways. Abandoned by his brothers, imprisoned, forgotten and betrayed. He saw the promise, but it seemed to always be delayed by the circumstances he was in. Finally though, his faith was rewarded.

Moses faced innumerable tests of faith in leading the reluctant, often rebellious, children of Israel out of…

November 12
Even When We Don’t Know Where We Are Going

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:169-176 | Ezekiel 24:1-26:21 | Hebrews 11:1-16 | Proverbs 27:14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:1-16

By faith, Abraham . . . obeyed and went, even though he didn’t know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8, NIV)

Faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (1). “And without faith it is impossible to please God” (6). It is the foundation for all of our life as Christians. But it isn’t always easy.

Often we find ourselves in the same place as Abraham who obeyed and went even though he didn’t know where he was going. Often faith requires us to “walk in the dark.” God gives us just enough to light to know the next step and then we must take it.

Steps of obedience when we…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 11
Spurs of Encouragement

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:161-168 | Ezekiel 23:1-49 | Hebrews 10:18-39 | Proverbs 27:13

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 10:18-39

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV)

We all need encouraging words. Often those words of encouragement are ones that we want to hear such as a word of hope when we are going through a tough time; a word of affirmation when we are discouraged. Yet, encouragement doesn’t always mean flowery words of praise for another. Sometimes encouragement…