11 July: Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Today’s chapter highlights again how we seem to disrespect, devalue, or treat as unexceptional or boring, anything that becomes “commonplace”…

READ NEHEMIAH 8  Make notes of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Each year, I daydream about the next change to my house and how much I can afford. Why is it that familiarity breeds contempt? With nothing structurally wrong with my house, why is there a trait that I slide into: a form of indifference or contempt, when something becomes too familiar.

Two and half millenniums ago, nonchalant indifference about the Creator God, and His Word, crept into the culture of a people group who should have known better. Bizarrely enough, they even lost His all-important Handbook for Life within the walls of His own Temple![a] So one thing that I found interesting with this first-time-reading of the Creator’s Word, in today’s chapter, was the first reaction of the listeners. They wept with deep remorse. [v9] This is a common, and right reaction, for us today – when our Maker’s Handbook “sinks in” for the first time – when we come to fully understand who He is and who we are in light of who He is.

It’s only with His measure of things, that I can see just how familiarity – bred willingly or unwittingly – has caused me to treat Him, His role in my life, and HIStory, as commonplace, unimportant, or even with contempt. Read More? …CLICK on “11 July – Additional Notes”

But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.

Wanting to keep your connection with your Maker? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

   1.   Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”

I give glory and thanks to You, Lord, in the Highest of places. You’ve given to earth, peace and good news towards all humankind! [Luke 2:14]

   3.   Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”

  • The World: Government decisions in Indonesia[c]
  • Your Country: God’s Will to be done
  • Yourself: Boldness in shared God’s Good News
  • Your concerns for today
Blessed are You, my Lord, forever! Amen and amen to the God who made me! [Psalm 89:52]

   3.   Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”

Like the people of old, may I seek You, Lord – like those who are humble and who do what You command. I want to seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps then will I be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. [Zephaniah 2:3]

   4.   Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”

You’ll save Your “flock”, and we’ll no longer be plundered. You’ll judge between one sheep and another. [Ezekiel 34:22]

“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”

When questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[d] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing our Maker’s script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from His Handbook in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Our Maker’s Handbook

Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. [Psalm 119:11]

[a] 2 Kings c22 and 2 Chronicles 34:14ff

[b] Matthew 6:5-15

[c] http://www.operationworld.org/country/indo/owtext.html

[d] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31

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