God Likes Ants: Every Week
Fifty-two Scripture Reflections
Andrea M. Gilson
Foreword by Pastor Richard B. White
God Likes Ants: Every Week
Fifty-two Scripture Reflections
Copyright © 2013 Andrea M. Gilson. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.
Resource Publications
An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers
199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3
Eugene, OR 97401
www.wipfandstock.com
ISBN 13: 978-1-62564-103-8
EISBN 13: 978-1-62564-103-8
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
For my father Bill
Foreword
Andrea has a unique and insightful understanding of daily experiences. She sees the purpose in the mundane and seemingly insignificant experiences of life. Her thoughts and insights stimulate meditation and her questions draw one to the scripture for answers. I always enjoy reading her writing and it is always both a challenge to my personal walk and an inspiration to follow Christ.
It was my joy to be her pastor and worshipping friend for several years. I pray that all who read her writing will be as blessed as I have. It is my prayer that God will encourage and challenge those who read this book to follow Him by reading and understanding the writer’s purpose.
Pastor Richard B. White—May 7, 2013
Preface
The conception of God Likes Ants was on January 7, 2011. It was just a couple of months later when the Lord inspired me to begin. Seated on my bed in a shared room I rented while transitioning to my new home in Oregon, I very suddenly knew it was time for my idea to be born. Some things you just know God is leading.
I wanted to write. God wanted me to write about him. The intention was to put on paper my thoughts about his Word using individual Bible verses. Proverb 6:6 became my starting point. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.” I heeded that advice and my laziness was ended, in regards to getting started on this project anyway. The line by Solomon taught me that God likes ants and according to this verse, it is because they are go-getters.
The writing got done every Thursday night henceforth and my friends and family received my perspectives in their e-mail. They encouraged me and I learned that more people in my life loved the Lord than I knew. It was further inspiration to continue. One advised that making a compilation of my “editions” would be a blessing to me and others. I agreed and that idea remained in the back of my mind until this book came together.
Written in the manner of a column, all perspectives and interpretations in God Likes Ants: Every Week are my opinions. I ask my readers to remember this as they read. As a lay Christian, I spent decades in Bible study and discussions which led to these writings.
I follow no particular religion but trust in God’s Word for direction. I consider myself a “generic” Christian with no labels other than a person that loves and trusts in God in three persons and believes scripture is inspired by the Almighty above.
The reflections in God Likes Ants: Every Week differ in length and complexity. My hope is that new and mature Christians will find milk and meat in the pages. I further hope to attract skeptics of Christ to become interested in Bible study and learn acceptance.
There are weeks dedicated to Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. I have noted these in the Table of Contents since readers will begin the book in whatever week they wish. It would be awkward for a discussion about Easter to be read in August unless the reader was informed. I began writing in March originally so the holidays fall in that pattern. I use personal anecdotes and supporting scripture in my writing. Sometimes, I try my hand at humor. Bear with me.
The Authorized King James Version of the Bible is my trusted translation and all verses used are thus taken. It is a pleasure to enjoy the old style of using language. Please use this little book for personal Bible study and to share in small groups to invoke discussion. I hope my book will edify and develop your relationship to Jesus, our Lord. Enjoy.
Andrea M. Gilson—May 16, 2013
List of Abbreviations
Genesis—Gen
Exodus—Exod
Leviticus—Lev
Numbers—Num
Deuteronomy—Deut
Joshua—Josh
Judges—Judg
Ruth—Ruth
Samuel—Sam
Kings—Kgs
Chronicles—Chr
Ezra—Ezra
Nehemiah—Neh
Esther—Esth
Job—Job
Psalms—Ps (pl. Pss)
Proverbs—Prov
Ecclesiastes—Eccl
Song of Solomon—Song
Isaiah—Isa
Jeremiah—Jer
Lamentations—Lam
Ezekiel—Ezek
Daniel—Dan
Hosea—Hos
Joel—Joel
Amos—Amos
Obadiah—Obad
Jonah—Jonah
Micah—Mic
Nahum—Nah
Habakkuk—Hab
Zephaniah—Zeph
Haggai—Hag
Zechariah—Zech
Malachi—Mal
Matthew—Matt
Mark—Mark
Luke—Luke
John—John
Acts—Acts
Romans—Rom
Corinthians—Cor
Galatians—Gal
Ephesians—Eph
Philippians—Phil
Colossians—Col
Thessalonians—Thess
Timothy—Tim
Titus—Titus
Philemon—Phlm
Hebrews—Heb
James—Jas
Peter—Pet
John—John
Jude—Jude
Revelation—Rev
Week 1
Scripture text—Proverbs 6:6
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.
I chose the above text for the