Tag Archives: Sunday Scriptures

Sunday Scriptures — The King’s Table

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

After David became king of the united tribes of Israel, he wondered if any of Saul’s family remained he could show kindness. That in itself was a shock to those who understood how the succession to a throne usually went.

No new king looked for his rival’s family members to show them kindness. They looked for family members to eliminate.

You see, David made a promise to one of Saul’s sons, Jonathan. He and David were best buds. Jonathan knew God choose David over him to become king when Saul died. He didn’t try to get in the way of God’s plan. In fact, Jonathan risked his life at the hands of his father’s wrath to protect David. Because of that, David was determined to keep his promise to protect Jonathan’s family.

As it turned out, there was a son of Jonathan’s, Mephibosheth, still alive. David sent for Mephibosheth. Understandably, when he arrived at the palace in front of the king, Mephibosheth expected the worse. As he had every right to expect.

But David told him not to be afraid. He wanted to show kindness to Mephibosheth because of his friendship with Jonathan. He restored everything that belonged to Mephibosheth’s grandfather, Saul, and told Mephibosheth from that day forward, he would live in David’s palace and eat at the king’s table as if he were one of David’s sons.

Amazing.

When I think of this story, which I absolutely love, I connect the image of Mephibosheth eating at the king’s table, with The King’s table which is prepared for us by our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Our Shepherd prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.

I imagine sitting at the king’s table, and eating with David’s sons, made Mephibosheth believe he sat in the presence of his enemies. I doubt David’s sons, especially Absolom and Amnon, were pleased to have Saul’s grandson treated like one of them.

What others thought didn’t matter. David was king. He invited Mephibosheth to eat at his table, and Mephibosheth would eat at the king’s table.

We have a place at the table Jesus prepares for us. He is King. He’s the one in charge. If he believes us worthy enough to eat in his presence, no enemy can keep us from pulling up a seat.

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“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” 2 Samuel 9:7 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — Who Is Your Neighbor?

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Today’s Sunday Scriptures post, Simple Truth, is written by my writer-friend, Phyllis Farringer.

I don’t remember her name. I don’t remember if I even knew it, actually. The details of a decades-old event have receded to a dusty, untended memory shelf. We occupied a waiting room at the Presidio Army hospital, both awaiting surgical outcomes. A year into our marriage, my husband needed major kidney surgery. Far from family, and miles from the Air Force Radar Site where he was stationed, I was alone. I was 19, self-absorbed, and scared. Would he lose a kidney? Would he die?

She had a young son in open-heart surgery. I don’t know why her husband wasn’t with her. We were at a military hospital. It is likely he had been deployed somewhere. I don’t know because I never asked.

What I do remember is her kindness. While she had to be concerned about her son’s serious surgery, she displayed only peace and a serene, confident spirit. She asked me about my husband. She reassured me the doctors at the Presidio were some of the best anywhere. She got coffee for me. She kept me from feeling alone. She may have spoken about God being in charge, but I’m not sure. Just her presence helped me get through the long wait.

After several hours, surgery over, the doctor assured me all was well and I could see my husband. I left the waiting room and never followed up with the woman about her son. She had lavished kindness on me and received nothing in return.

In Luke 10, Jesus was asked by an expert in the law what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked this expert to tell Him what he already knew about that from Scripture. He knew he was to love God with all his heart and love his neighbor as himself. Jesus told him his knowledge was correct. What he needed to do was live it.

The lawyer wanted to justify himself. He asked, “Who is my neighbor?”

As is often the case, Jesus didn’t answer the question that was asked; He answered the question that should have been asked: “How do we do that?” Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, He teaches us not to try to decide for whom we may or may not be responsible, but instead to be a neighbor to whomever in our path is in need.

Long ago, a stranger showed mercy and compassion to me in my need. At the time, I could have quoted the Greatest Commandment and I knew about the Good Samaritan. The difference between us then was that she was living it out. Even now, the Lord is using her example to help me understand what He is teaching me.

Phyllis Farringer delights in proclaiming God’s goodness. Her work has appeared in various periodicals including Decision Magazine, Focus on the Family publications, and Christianity Today Bible Studies. She has also written for several compilations including Cup of Comfort for Moms and God Allows U-Turns. She and her husband live in North Carolina. They have two married children and seven grandchildren.

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(Jesus said,) “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 (NIV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — Misaligned

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Ever since new progressive lenses were placed in my eyeglasses six months ago, I haven’t been able to see clearly through them, no matter how I try to adjust them on my face. Rather frustrating.

At my most recent eye exam I again mentioned the problem. Because the prescription is correct, a tech in the optical department made sure the lines of the progressives were aligned correctly. They were not. They were misaligned. Off my a milli-fraction.

New lenses were ordered and she aligned them herself.

Yay!

The problem may have been barely discernable and the misalignment minute, but it affected my vision nonetheless.

Whenever I think of people in the Bible with misaligned vision of who Jesus was, I think of the Pharisees. Their vision was not off by a fraction. It was off by a mile. And then some.

The Pharisees believed they knew everything and interpreted the biblical laws correctly. They were so very wrong.

Sometimes we might do the same thing. We might rely on past understanding of scripture or what someone told us, without studying to see if what we’ve held as truth is actually true; believing we are fully aligned with the Scriptures.

We need to check to make sure our understanding of Scripture is aligned with what God says. If it isn’t, even if only off by a milli-fraction, it’s misaligned just as surely as my lenses were and needs corrected.

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All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right.  2 Timothy 3:16 (NCV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — Simple Truth

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Today’s Sunday Scriptures post, Simple Truth, is written by my writer-friend, Phyllis Farringer.

The Pharisees translated all of God’s commandments into a system of rules – rules for righteousness. As they checked off the things on their lists, they fooled themselves into believing they were righteous. They missed the whole point of the Law. The commandments teach us how to live in ways that please God, but they can’t make us righteous. The purpose of the Law was not to make us righteous, but to reveal that we are not. No matter how good we try to be, we fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23; James 2:10).

Rules can’t save us. God placed Adam and Eve in a perfect environment and gave them one restriction – one rule to follow. It evidently wasn’t long before they replaced God’s rule with their own (Genesis 2, 3). Every person since – each one of us – has repeated our own version of their story. That’s why Jesus came. We need a Savior. God knew from the beginning we needed Jesus. Jesus gave human shape to all the grace and truth and goodness of God’s character. Jesus paid the penalty for our inability and unwillingness to obey the requirements God rightfully expects of each one of us.

How great and gracious God is. All of human history is a record of His faithfulness amidst our unfaithfulness. That is the essence of what the Bible teaches from Genesis to Revelation. If we think we can do enough good in order to be good enough, we deceive ourselves. We need a Savior. We are incapable of attaining righteousness and a right relationship with our Creator without help. The real ‘work’ God requires of us is to believe in Jesus (John 6:28,29). Once we put our faith in Jesus, we demonstrate our love for Him by our obedience to his teaching (John 14:21).

Jesus summed it up even more simply. He told us to love God and love our neighbor. If we just do that, it takes care of all the other requirements. But if we are honest with ourselves, we know we don’t do that. We can’t do that perfectly. Pride, selfishness, self-centeredness, ambitions, and mountains of other things, get in the way of loving God and loving others as we should. Once we recognize that, He can work on our hearts. It is the condition of our hearts that matters to God.

God is patient with us. He wants us to get it right. Outward behavior, though important, is not enough to make us right with God. The commandments teach us how to live, but really, once we put our faith in Jesus, the key to living righteously is to learn to love better.

Phyllis Farringer delights in proclaiming God’s goodness. Her work has appeared in various periodicals including Decision Magazine, Focus on the Family publications, and Christianity Today Bible Studies. She has also written for several compilations including Cup of Comfort for Moms and God Allows U-Turns. She and her husband live in North Carolina. They have two married children and seven grandchildren.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

I wish you well.

Sandy

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[bctt tweet=”Today’s Sunday Scriptures post, Simple Truth, is written by my writer-friend, Phyllis Farringer.” username=”SandyKQuandt”]

Sunday Scriptures — Pray For Our Pastors

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How often do we pray for our pastors? Daily? Weekly? Rarely? Never?

Those God calls as shepherds over his flock have a big job. Hopefully, they preach the truth found in God’s Holy Word, encourage us, lead us, pray for us, correct us when necessary, plus a multitude of other things depending on the collective of believers they minister to and with. Things we often have no idea they do. And truthfully do not need to know they do.

Along with shepherding the members of their congregation, many also have families to raise and be there for.

If we consider the different people in the seats around us each week, there may be those whose personalities grate on us right along with personalities that mesh with ours.

Imagine what it must be like for a pastor. They come in contact with many of us throughout the week, not only during weekly worship time. If not in person, I believe it would be safe to say they receive phone calls or emails. Many of which I doubt are encouraging or uplifting.

Perhaps I’m being cynical. Perhaps all the words sent their way, and about them, are encouraging and uplifting. I’m not a pastor, nor am I married to one, so I don’t have firsthand insight. But I think I know a little bit about how people act. I know how I act.

We can be downright mean. Our default seems set on finding fault, questioning decisions made by leadership, being critical, and feeling slighted.

So I’m wondering … what would our churches look like if each person; everyone of us, committed to earnestly pray for our pastors daily?

Do you think it would make a difference not only in the life of our pastors, but in the life of our church, and yes, even in us?

What say ye, should we give it a go and find out?

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Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the end of this letter, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts everywhere as it did when it came to you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — Finding Peace In Christ

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Peace. Shalom. Pax. Paz. Paix. Solh. der friede. Tutkium.

There are many different ways to say the word Webster defines as freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. The state of harmony characterized by the lack of violence, conflict behaviors and the freedom from fear of violence.

Be at peace. Hold your peace. Peace of mind. A moment’s peace. Peace and quiet. Peace and goodwill. Rest in peace.

How many of us strive for peace in our lives? We look for peace in our homes. We look for peace in our jobs. We look for peace in our neighborhoods. We desire the absence of conflict. The freedom from fear of violence. We long for things to be copacetic. Hunky-dory. Ducky. All right.

The apostle Paul told the people in Colossi true peace comes from allowing Jesus Christ to rule in our hearts.

When it feels as if our lives are disturbed to the point of falling apart, conflict surrounds us on every side, or people just can’t seem to get along … we need to throw out the anchor and ground ourselves in the truth of where we can find peace.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. It is in him alone we are able to find true, lasting peace. Peace the world can’t understand, but peace that takes away our fears nonetheless.

Maybe peace begins with always being thankful.

Where do you believe peace begins?

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And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

I wish you well.

Sandy

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[bctt tweet=”Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In him alone we find true, lasting peace. Peace the world can’t understand, but peace that takes away our fears nonetheless. ” username=”SandyKQuandt”]

This post originally appeared on Woven and Spun November 3, 2013.

Sunday Scriptures — Eliezer Prayed

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Today’s Sunday Scriptures post, Eliezer Prayed, is written by my writer-friend, Phyllis Farringer.

It was no small request. Abraham wanted his servant to find a wife for his son. The unnamed servant, probably Eliezer, (Genesis 15:2) would travel several hundred miles, find Abraham’s relatives, convince them he was on a legitimate mission, then convince one of them to return with him to marry Abraham’s son, Isaac. Oh my!

The story unfolds in Genesis 24. A quick reading could seem to indicate a series of convenient coincidences brought Eliezer to the right place. Eliezer arrives in Nahor, stops at a well and Rebekah shows up at just the right time to relieve his thirst and that of his ten camels. Rebekah just happens to be the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother. Her family welcomes him and offers him their spare room. The next morning Rebekah begins the long journey back to Canaan with this servant who had arrived a stranger.

A closer reading reveals the whole process was steeped in prayer. Abraham’s prayers are evident in the guidance he had already received. He knew where to send his servant to find a wife for Isaac, and he had confidence God would lead Eliezer (vs. 7). Eliezer’s prayer in vs.12, seems to pick up an ongoing conversation. When he finds success in his mission, and gives the Lord all the credit for leading him, it is clear he had been relying on Him since he saddled up the camels.

When we don’t know what to do, where to go, or how to proceed, the best course is to pray. God is faithful to lead, if we just ask Him. Step by step, He reveals His plans.

Amazing. Guidance, protection, provision–available just for the asking. So many times I have experienced God’s leading and provision just as I needed it. Daily, actually. In one of the bigger for instances, my husband received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The doctors suggested drastic measures, with an uncertain outcome. We didn’t know what to do. We wanted a second opinion, but didn’t even know where to go to get it. We prayed. God led us to that second opinion, and to a course of treatment that, we believe, ultimately saved my husband’s life.

Another time, our family was comfortably settled where we thought would be home for the rest of our lives. We began to feel an unexplained restlessness. We had no idea what it meant. We prayed. Over time, little by little, God led us to pick up and make a move across the country. He has since confirmed, repeatedly, it was the right thing for us to do.

On another occasion, reduced income and a limited budget disturbed my thoughts as I entered the grocery store. I prayed. I bought everything I needed to feed our family for the week, but at about half our usual grocery bill. All the right things were ‘coincidentally’ on sale.

The secret to Eliezer’s success–and any believer’s–is prayer.

Phyllis Farringer delights in proclaiming God’s goodness. Her work has appeared in various periodicals including Decision Magazine , Focus on the Family publications, and Christianity Today Bible Studies. She has also written for several compilations including Cup of Comfort for Moms and God Allows U-Turns. She and her husband live in North Carolina. They have two married children and seven grandchildren.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2).

I wish you well.

Sandy

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[bctt tweet=”It was no small request. Abraham wanted his servant to find a wife for his son. The secret to Eliezer’s success–and any believer’s–is prayer.” username=”SandyKquandt”]

Sunday Scriptures — Fat Cows

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In the fourth chapter of the Old Testament book of Amos, the prophet calls the women of Israel fat cows. Not flattering, and definitely not something to say if Amos’ intent was to win the women to his way of thinking.  However, at the time being fat was a sign of luxury. It was a sign of prosperity.

But Amos gave the women, and men, God’s words. Not his own. He was willing to offend with the truth of God if necessary. Amos was willing to face the fall-out from being the burden bearer of God’s truth.

If we picture fat cows in our minds, perhaps we see them mindlessly chewing their cud. Content with the way things are. Unconcerned with the events going on around them. Swishing their tails to keep the flies away.

It seems this may be the picture Amos painted of the women of Bashan. They were content with the way things were. Unconcerned with the events going on around them. As long as their husbands continued to bring them what they wanted, they were fine. Who cared about the oppressed, poor, or needy? Certainly not them.

This kind of thinking reminds me of a phrase I often heard in high school…oblivious.

Amos went further to pronounce God’s judgment upon such callous me-first thinkers. These women would be taken into captivity by fishhooks in their noses.

Harsh. But true.

The Assyrians captured the rich and royal upper class of Israel. They put hooks through their captives’ noses and lips and paraded them through town.

God’s commands call his people to be concerned for the poor. Jesus commands his followers to take care of those less fortunate than themselves.

It seems if we want to keep from being called a fat cow and led away by fishhooks, we need to open our eyes to those around us, and be sensitive to the opportunities God presents us with to be his hands and feet in our corner of the world and beyond.

I sure don’t want God to call me a fat cow. Do you?

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Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!”

The Sovereign Lord has sworn this by his holiness: “The time will come when you will be led away with hooks in your noses. Every last one of you will be dragged away like a fish on a hook! You will be led out through the ruins of the wall; you will be thrown from your fortresses, says the Lord. Amos 4:1-3 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — Return to God

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

In the fourteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Hosea, the prophet tells the people to return to God, petition God to forgive them for their idolatry, open their eyes to his truth, and walk along his path.

Good advice for us today, as well, wouldn’t you agree?

The people of Israel abandoned God and trusted in man-made idols. Hosea’s call was for them to abandon their idols and trust God.

We may look at people in the Old Testament with their idols and tell ourselves that’s them, not us. We don’t bow to idols made by man, but would we be correct in saying that?

Sure we may not have Asherah poles on high places, or statues of Dagon or Molech lining our streets, but what about those things we do idolize? Those things we put before God?

Possessions, family, jobs, self, wealth …

Hosea told the people to acknowledge nothing but God could save them. Not their military, not their country, not their leaders, not their wealth, not their leisure pursuits, not themselves.

He told them God promised to cure them of their idolatry and faithlessness when they turned from their idols to him. God’s love for them would know no bounds. He would remove his anger from them.

God promised his restoration would bring life and new growth. It would being peace and rest to the people. Once restored, life would bloom under God’s hand.

Hosea ended his book saying the wise and intelligent were the ones who opened their eyes to God. They were the ones who would understand God’s word and listen. They were the ones who would walk along God’s true and right paths.

The unwise were those who did not follow God’s path.

God’s promises are the same for us today. Despite how far from him we may have gone, he is willing to forgive and restore when we give up our idol worship and return to God.

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O Israel, return to the Lord, your God, for you have been crushed by your sins. Bring your petition. Come to the Lord and say, “O Lord, take away our sins; be gracious to us and receive us, and we will offer you the sacrifice of praise. Hosea 14:1-2 (TLB)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures–Grow the Seeds God’s Planted

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Many of us are familiar with the parable Jesus told of the sower in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew. We understand the seed to represent the Word of God in our lives. Some seed falls on receptive ears and those lives exhibit evidence of growth. Some seed falls on ears turned away and those lives exhibit evidence of the lack of growth.

Although it is the same seed, not all results are the same.

The same Truth, the same Word, goes out into the world, but the results differ depending on what each individual does with that Truth.

Each of us is responsible for tending the seeds planted in our lives, nourishing and watering them by digging deep roots into the soil of the Bible; to learn what God would have us do.

We’re not all the same. We won’t all produce zucchini or tomatoes, roses or gardenias, oaks or willows. Although what we produce may differ, God expects each of us to produce a bumper crop for him from what he’s planted inside us.

The seeds of truth in the Bible show us how to deal with adversity the proper way so we can grow from it, not wither under its heat. That same Word shows us how to deal with blessing by giving all the glory to God, not self. It shows us what is required … to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Growing the seeds planted inside takes effort. It takes diligence. It takes weeding out all the destructive things in our lives that threaten to choke the life out of the seeds God planted.

Sitting beside a healthy plant does not make another plant healthy. Each plant is responsible for its own growth.

What do you do to produce an abundant crop in your life?

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“Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up. Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants. But some seeds fell in good soil, and the plants bore grain: some had one hundred grains, others sixty, and others thirty.” Matthew 13:3-8 GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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[bctt tweet=”Growing the seeds planted inside takes effort. It takes diligence. It takes weeding out all the destructive things in our lives that threaten to choke the life out of seeds God planted. Sitting beside a healthy plant does not make another plant healthy. Each plant is responsible for its own growth. ” username=”SandyKQuandt”]