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Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 31
Drifting

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:73-80 | Lamentations 4:1-5:22 | Hebrews 2:1-18 | Proverbs 26:23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 2:1-18

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1 NIV)

Growing up in Minnesota, I spent a lot of summer days on the lake. We used to love to take inner tubes from big tractor tires and float on them on the water. Often we would just lie on top of the inner tube enjoying the sun and the waves. If you weren’t paying attention you would find yourself drifting farther and farther from shore. Eventually it was possible to drift so far that you would be dragged away by the strong currents and have a very hard time getting back.

Drifting is subtle and it is…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 30
Great is Thy Faithfulness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:65-72 | Lamentations 2:20 – 3:66 | Hebrews 1:1-14 | Proverbs 26:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Lamentations 2:20-3:66

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Lamentations as a book is always hard for me to get into. But I have come to appreciate the importance of the lament in prayer. It is one of the most healthy ways for us to deal with difficult circumstances.

In the lament, we openly and honestly pour out our heart to God. We tell him what we are going through and how we feel about it. We get it all “out on the table”.

If we were to leave it there, and not go further, it would…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. E-book available from the kindle store at Amazon.com

October 29
Tears

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:57-64 | Lamentations 1:1 –2:19 | Philemon 1-25| Proverbs 26:20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Lamentations 1

For these things do I weep, My eyes flow with tears: Far from me is any comforter who might revive my spirit. (Lamentations 1:16 NIV)

Jeremiah is sometimes called “the Weeping Prophet.” His Lamentations are a prime example. But Jeremiah had reason to weep. He had been given a ministry of calling Judah to repentance, and they refused to listen. They continued on in their idolatrous ways without thought of God. Anyone who has been in ministry knows the frustration of people who don’t hear the message that to us seems so urgent. There are times when all you can do is weep and pray that God will somehow get through…

October 28
Devoted to Good Works

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:49-56 | Jeremiah 51:54-52:34 | Titus 3:1-15| Proverbs 26:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Titus 3

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” (Titus 3:8 NIV)

Believers should be “devoted to good works.” Paul makes that point repeatedly in these verses (2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14). In particular he points out that they should devote themselves to good works that would help out those in urgent need (3:14).

It is impossible to gain salvation by good works (though many people have been led to believe that is the way to salvation). Paul’s clear statement of Ephesians 2:8-10 is reaffirmed here: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 27
It’s Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:41-48 | Jeremiah 51:1-53 | 2 Timothy 2:1-15 | Proverbs 26:17

Today’s Scripture Focus: Titus 2

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14 NIV)

The orange juice growers had a series of commercials that ended with this line: “It’s not just for breakfast anymore.” It was their way of telling us that orange juice…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 26
Looking for Leaders

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:33-40 | Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 | Titus 1:1-16 | Proverbs 26:13-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Titus 1

“The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5 NIV)

Good leadership is crucial to any organization. Good, spiritual leadership is essential to a healthy church. Paul’s instruction to Titus is a reminder of this. He reminds him of the kinds of qualities to look for in choosing leaders. So what qualities are important in choosing leaders in the church?

Paul tells Titus to look to the home life. Are they faithful to their spouse? If they have children, how did or are they doing in raising them? One’s management of their home life can be an…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 25
Itchy Ears

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:25-32 | Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 | 2 Timothy 4:1-22 | Proverbs 26:9-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 4

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV)

There is an epidemic of itchy ears today. This should be no surprise, as Paul warned us that this would be the case. Those with itchy ears listen to only what they want to hear. If the preacher steps on their toes, they move on to another place that won’t be so uncomfortable. More than that, they look…

Quote From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 24
Don’t Forget the “So That”

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:17-24 | Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 | 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 | Proverbs 26:6-8

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

Why did God give us the Bible? Why should we be diligent students of it? The phrase “so that” points us to the reason: “So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God gave us his word so that we could be prepared and equipped to do ministry–to minister to one another in the body, as well as reaching out to share the good news with others. Head knowledge is good—but it is not the…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 24
Unjust Suffering

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 129:1-8 | Ezekiel 47:1 – 48:35 | 1 Peter 2:11-3:17 | Proverbs 28:12-13

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 2:11 – 3:17

“But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you may follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:20-21 ESV)

Life isn’t always fair and it isn’t always easy. Suffering and persecution were an everyday reality for the readers of Peter’s letter. They are a reality for many believers, even today. While the injustices and sufferings we face may pale in comparison with those suffered by Peter’s original readers, we all know the sting of injustice and suffering. But unjust suffering is…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 23
The Good Scissors

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 128:1-6 | Ezekiel 45:13-46:24 | 1 Pet 1:13-2:10 | Proverbs 28:11

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1:13-2:10

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written; “Be holy, because I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:15 NIV)

I’m sure every mom has them. My mom did: the good scissors.

One life’s most important early lessons was, “don’t use the good scissors.” One of the most awkward moments came when you were asked the question, “Did you just use my good scissors?”

The good scissors were not for common use–they were set apart for a special use. As important as craft projects were to us as children, they did not rank at the level of “good scissor use.” The good scissors were for cutting…