Scott Lane

Your Words about His Word

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 19:1-14 (day five)

“What do you believe about the Bible?” I sometimes get asked that question. I’ll give you my answer shortly. But first, let me ask you that question. How would you answer? My answer, is that I believe what the Bible says about itself. And the place I go to is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬
If you wanted to unpack those verses, especially how it is “profitable,” I would point you to the Psalms. One of which, is Psalm 19:7-11. Has it dawned on you how great a gift the scriptures are? How would you describe the bible’s place in your life? Treasure. Guide. Lamp. Light. Sweet. Invaluable. Maybe a great exercise today or this weekend would be to write out your own convictions about the Scriptures. What words would you use to describe God’s Word? Then, maybe evaluate if your time, energy, and effort would accurately reflect your words.

All of Us

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day five)

The phrase, “There is no one who does good” is repeated twice in this Psalm. When you read this and then read it again what happens in your mind and your heart? Are you defensive? Are you convicted? The psalmist moves from the singular (the fool) to the plural (they have all). Just when you might think he is only referring to someone else, we realize he is talking about all of us. The fool won’t/can’t see the “foolishness” in their own life and heart. But through the work of Christ (come from Zion- see verse seven) God’s people do. And when we confess and repent, we find grace and peace in the humbling truth about the human race.

The fool does not feel his corruption, but the person in Christ does. The fool does not perceive the light of salvation, but the person in Christ does. The fool does not know his own wretchedness as he ought, but the person in Christ does. The person in Christ, despite the attacks of the opposition of the wicked, can rest in the reality that the Lord acts faithfully on his behalf. Daniel Akin

Thank You

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 30:1-12 (day five)
“O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

There is something transforming and life-giving about saying “thank you.” I would suggest those are possibly the two most powerful words we can say. Why? Couple of reasons. Saying “thank you” shifts the focus from an internal perspective outward (in the case of this Psalm, upward). We look and search outside of our circumstances and emotions for a reason or person to be thankful. Second, it is a great practice of humility to recognize and appreciate the fact that there are times (maybe many) where we need help. I would also suggest that being thankful (regularly) is a discipline. What if there was a place in our daily journal and/or prayers for a place of thanksgiving? What if we consistently found a reason, relationship, promise, truth, or experience (both good and bad) for which to express thanks? How would that deepen our relationship with the Lord? How would that deepen our relationships with others? Maybe a prayer prompt for today would be- Thank You, Lord for …(what would you say or write).

Prompts

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 66:1-20 (day five) Did you notice the shift (progression) of the pronouns in Psalm 66? Beginning as general (they, them) moving to corporate (us, our, we), and concluding as personal (I, my, me). Same faithfulness and power. Same attention and kindness. Same wisdom and character. How do you see God working in the world? How do you see God working in our church? How do you see God working in your heart and life? Maybe the prompt is for us to be constantly looking and listening for God’s activity and work in the world. Maybe the prompt is to learn and trust the unchanging nature and character of God. And maybe the prompt is to pray, sing, and celebrate that this grand and glorious God gives His affection and attention to each of us (me). “This is MY story this is MY song, Praising MY savior all the day long.” Tell Him. Praise Him.

Image- Bearing

Re:Verse passage – Genesis 1:26–31, Romans 8:18–22 (day five) Did you notice the context and background in Genesis for the design of human stewardship and rule of creation? It is part of being an image bearer. In other words, we are challenged to bear the image of God in our ruling and stewarding. We are created with the capability and capacity to steward creation as He would- with grace, love, compassion, wisdom, and creativity (to name a few). We are directed to reflect God’s glory in the way we manage and care for His creation. We are to rule and steward as God would. What kind of rule would that look like? What kind of stewardship would that look like? What kind of leadership would that look like? Perhaps a look at the “invisible image” in Colossians 1 would help answer. Even in this assigned task, the expectation is for God’s character and glory to be evident and visible in us.
What a responsibility!
What a privilege!

Giving and the Gospel

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day five).
Did you notice that in both of our Re:Verse passages this week that the Gospel is either mentioned or described. Paul wants to teach/tell these believers that there is in fact, a deep and meaningful connection between generous financial giving and the gospel. The Gospel is to be not only understood and received, but in chapter 9 Paul points out that believers should “obey” the Gospel. We obey the gospel through loving actions of sacrifice and service. And generosity expressed through giving, as Paul points out in chapters 8, is also a beautiful picture of the Gospel- Jesus giving up His riches in heaven in order for us to become rich. So, when we give, we obey and portray the greatest generosity ever known!!

Thinking Properly

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8 (day five).

In our texts this week is Paul’s favorite picture of the church. The body. We see it in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and twice in Ephesians. One of the reasons, is that it helps us think about ourselves properly. See Romans 12:3. If we tend to think more highly of ourselves, the body analogy teaches us that we need each other. We must stay connected because our gifts are to be used with others. If we are prone to think too lowly of ourselves, the image of the body teaches us that others need us. Our gifts are needed for the body to flourish- for others. We all have a part in ministry and mission. So the gifts in the body serve to bring boldness and confidence while at the same time creating humility and submission. Isn’t God’s wisdom incredible? Isn’t life in the Body of Christ powerful and meaningful?

Telling

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 24:1-10 (day five)

I love Psalm 24:1. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.”
It is clear, concise, and straightforward. It leaves no room for questioning or debate. It eliminates any kind of speculation or challenging. It assigns ownership, priority, and significance to the right person- God. It calls for recognition, submission, and humility. It exalts the sovereignty and enormity of God. It presses against the ego and pride of the human flesh while drawing awe and amazement from a heart that has surrendered to the Lord. When reading this verse, is there worry or worship in your soul? Is there conviction or confusion? Is there freedom or fear? The response will be telling.

Questions and Doubt

Re:Verse passage – Luke 7:18-35 (day five)

This week we see the honesty and the vulnerability of the scriptures. The heroes mentioned in the Bible have flaws and weaknesses. John the Baptist is no exception. He is portrayed as he really is. Fiery. Finite. Faith-filled. Fallible.

So how do you go from being full of conviction to being consumed by questions? Maybe it’s the wrong question. A better question might be, “What do you do when you question (even doubt) the goodness and character of God?” (The doubts and questions will probably come to all of us in some form or fashion.) John the Baptist gives us a good example to follow. He engages Jesus. He seeks and searches for Jesus. Doesn’t internalize. Doesn’t start debates with others. He reaches out in honesty and humility to the Christ. And Jesus in return, is just as tender with John as he is with the blind and the lepers. Jesus then teaches John (and us) to recall and consider what Jesus has done (is doing), and to reflect on our own experiences and encounters with Jesus rather than our current circumstances. Celebrate and take notice of the things Jesus has done in us and around us. To remember. To rejoice in what we’ve already seen and experienced. To make and then revisit our own “ebenezers”
Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come. (The Ebenezer is a reminder of a time and place we have felt and witnessed God’s love and grace.)

Rhythms and Habits

Re:Verse passage – Luke 4:14-30 (day five)

“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.”

I am again struck by the habits and rhythms of Jesus (and his family) to worship and grow spiritually. It’s no accident that they were instituted for these very purposes. As we begin 2026, what rhythms and habits will you resolve to routinely and repeatedly practice (for yourself and family) to grow and deepen your/their faith?

Let me suggest six:
• I will read weekly. (Re:Verse Scriptures)
• I will gather regularly. (Bible Study & Worship)
• I will give generously.
• I will pray faithfully.
• I will serve enthusiastically.
• I will live missionally.