This article was just published at Ailbe.org, a fellowships for men in Church Leadership and ministry. It’s part of a longer series but this one’s title is:

Adopting A 290 Year Old Discipleship Tool: The Daily Texts – Part 3

In this article I talk about 6 ways the Daily Texts helps my devotional life. You may not resonate with them all… but then again you might.

Daily Bible Readings at Biblegateway…

Here are some verses I’ve highlighted. Which ones do you find important? 

Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. – Psalm 119:143

And I will not hide my face any more from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD. – Ezekiel 39:29

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. – 2 Peter 1:16

Readings from the ESV

Click here for today’s readings at Biblegateway

Some verses from today’s readings…

Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. – Psalm 119:132

My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.- Psalm 119:136

“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned any more. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. – Ezekiel 39:7

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence…Therefore brothers be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure… – 2 Peter 1:3,10

Chuck Huckaby is a minister with standing in the Calvin Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church…

Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to your word. Psalm 119:154 (NKJV)

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

The Psalmist prays to be revived by the Word and Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, The Word, is indeed revived! She is juxtaposed in the Gospel to her sister Martha who complains that Mary is “wasting time” at the feet of Jesus when there is “real work” to be done… and quite likely “necessary work” to be done.

Or at least work we consider “necessary”. In Jesus’ estimation the work is not ultimately essential. What is essential is to embrace Him and His Word and pattern one’s life upon it, even if that means something is left lacking in the process. 

How much of our lives are spent occupied by that which presents itself to us and others as “undoubtedly necessary”, but which, in light of Jesus and His Word is – upon reflection – temporary in significance at best. 

How do our lives reflect our yearning for “that which cannot be taken away”, that which we can only find as we are absorbed with Jesus and His Word?

You can receive the Daily Texts by email at the link along with Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday and Lectionary readings for Sundays and Christian holy days.

Provided by the ministry of Pastor Chuck Huckaby

Click here to read today’s Daily Readings…

My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise. – Psalm 119:123

“Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. – Ezekiel 37:11-12

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5

From Chuck’s Daily Readings

Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Jeremiah 1:17

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an
obligation is laid on me. 1 Corinthians 9:16

+

At first glance these texts may not seem for us. The first is a word from God to the prophent Jeremiah. The second is a statement made by none other than the Apostle Paul who describes how the calling of God is not grounds for boasting but a gift which implies a holy obligation to result in speaking with humility and divine empowerment. 

Surely these are not words for us… are they?

Lord’s Day 12 of the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that we all Christians in their own right are members of Christ and partakers of His anointing. Therefore every Christian – as an “everyday apostle” to borrow a phrase – is called to bear witness as a prophet to Jesus Christ, offer himself (as a priest) as a living sacrifice to God, and – as reflecting Christ’s kingship – to fight against sin each day. 

So yes, in the context of our own calling, we are called to heed these words as those who are members of Christ. May he give us grace to joyfully proclaim His Lordship!

From: Daily Texts

Daily readings are here

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. – Psalm 119:114

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! – Psalm 119:116

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. – Ezekiel 36:25-27

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4:12-13

You can read more about these daily readings here which accompany the  “Daily Texts”. 

Watchword for the Week – O send out your light and your truth; let them
lead me. Psalm 43:3

Micah 3:5-12; Psalm 43 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12

If you’re looking for some good books to read, here are a number of my book reviews posted at Chuck Colson’s WorldViewChurch.org

I’m testing Posterous’ ability to link to Twitter, Facebook, and some blogs… Let’s see if this works.

Chuck