Pastor Tom's Community

Daily Readings for Monday, July 6

Psalm 1, Psalm 2, Psalm 3, Numbers 32:1-6,16-27, Romans 8:26-30, Matthew 23:1-12

As your pastor—or a pastor, if I am not your pastor—I encourage you to read the Bible every day.

I offer Scripture prompts, but not necessarily everything you need, and not necessarily the direction the Spirit may lead you to go.

I am not your boss, spiritually or otherwise.

But I do put out prompts, suggestions, and helps. Sometimes a lot. Sometimes a little.

For instance, in this post, I have taken the daily Scripture reading suggestions from the common lectionary, placed them here, and included a link to Bible Gateway where you can read them.

And if you do not like the translation I have selected, all you have to do is go up to the little box, change the translation, and read it another way. Read it in more than one.

Read it in the King James for beauty.

Read it in the NIV, ESV, or NRSVue for clarity, accuracy, and depth.

Read it in The Message for vibrancy and freshness.

Or read it in the New Living Translation.

But read it.

Stop with it.

Consider it.

If you do not get past the first reading because it grabs you, captures your heart, and asks you to spend time with it, then walk around with that word all day. Or sit with it all day.

But whatever you read, I invite you to ask some questions.

Maybe gather with other people. Maybe use this post. Maybe use another post. Maybe use Sunday’s sermon. Maybe sit with one person, three people, or fifteen people and ask a few simple questions together.

Here is a generic set of questions you can always apply in a group, whether you are forming a small group, a house church, or an extension of our ministry in a coffee house or your home.

Without forcing the issue, do you see any common themes?

Is there anything that seems to recur in these passages?

The readings are not necessarily chosen around one theme. They are chosen so that, over time, we are brought through a broad reading of Scripture. Still, sometimes themes do emerge, and it is worth noticing them.

Second question:

Is there a verse that is pressing on your heart?

Is there a line that will not let you go?

Third question:

Do you sense the Spirit of God “speaking” to you?

I put “speaking” in quotation marks not because I do not believe the Spirit of God speaks to us, but because we must be humble enough to recognize that we are filtered people. I have to be humble about that too.

Then ask:

What will you take away for further reflection?

What will you spend time walking around with, sitting with, or even dreaming about?

And one more question, even if it is not written down in the guide:

Is there some application we can make—as a group, or as individuals?

I pray that God will guide you, lead you, and open the Scriptures to you in a fresh way today.

This is your pastor, Tom, signing off for now.

And I will sign off as soon as I can find the button to do so.

Discussion Questions:

1. Without forcing the issue, do you see any common themes?

2. Is there a verse that is pressing upon your heart?

3. Do you sense the Spirit of God “speaking” to you?

4. What will you take away for further reflection?

When it comes around to prayer time, you may want to consider a study of this portion of Romans 8:26-30.

When you don’t know how to pray, you are not alone.

Romans 8 reminds us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding with groanings too deep for words. Sometimes the most honest prayer is not a polished sentence. Sometimes it is a sigh.

This reflection explores Romans 8:26–39, the mystery of prayer, God’s purpose in our weakness, and the love from which nothing can separate us.

Read or listen here:
https://tomsims.substack.com/p/when-you-dont-know-how-to-pray

#BibleChat #Romans8 #Prayer #HolySpirit #ChristianHope #FaithInWeakness #PastorTom #Substack