Eyes at Home
Read 2 Samuel 10-12
2 Sam 11:10-11 When David was told, “Uriah did not go home,” he asked him, “Haven’t you just come from a distance? Why didn’t you go home?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”
I CRINGE every time I read this, somehow hoping David says, “No!” to temptation. David, the magnificent king of Israel, makes a tragic mistake. David, the one with a great heart for God, turns his heart to darkness. And a simple foreign soldier shows a greater love for God than the man of God.
How does that happen? A Hittite soldier honors the ones he fights for. The king dishonors the one who fights for him. And then the king murders the Hittite.
David, David, David…how could you be so greedy, so cruel, so lost? Was it pride that took you to this darkness? Was it boredom? Why didn’t you go to fight that spring and lead your soldiers as you should? Why did you let your eye fall on another’s wife? Why did you turn your inward lust to outer shame?
What is it in us humans that makes us want more than God has given us? Is it ever possible to be thankful and happy with what we have, to keep our eyes at home?
Pause and Consider: how harmful it is when we desire what someone else has. Ask God to protect you from those “I want” desires.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
March 31, 2011 Not Fair?
Not Fair?
Read 2 Samuel 6-9
2 Sam 6:6-7 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.
I THINK everyone I know who has read this is quick to say, “That’s not fair!” God kills a man who is protecting the Ark of the Covenant.
Not fair? Let’s look at Numbers 4:15: “when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.”
God had spoken centuries before this tragedy. Only a particular clan of people, the Kohathites, were to carry the Ark. And no one was to touch it or its contents on penalty of death.
Great sin was happening here. All, even (especially?) David, should have died. But in God’s grace only Uzziah died for the sins of all.
Never forget this: God is holy. If we become too familiar with him, we begin calling him the “Big Guy” or the “Guy in the Sky”. Or say of him, “That’s no fair!” When we use those terms we are equating God with people. When we place Him equal with people, it is easy to say, “I’ll do it my way.”
Your Holy God requires his way. When we say, “Not fair, Lord.” we are judging God. Don’t ever do that. Remember, he’s the one who created you. He’s the one who saves you.
Pause and Consider: how you are viewing your life today. Are you concerned events “aren’t fair”?
Read 2 Samuel 6-9
2 Sam 6:6-7 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.
I THINK everyone I know who has read this is quick to say, “That’s not fair!” God kills a man who is protecting the Ark of the Covenant.
Not fair? Let’s look at Numbers 4:15: “when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.”
God had spoken centuries before this tragedy. Only a particular clan of people, the Kohathites, were to carry the Ark. And no one was to touch it or its contents on penalty of death.
Great sin was happening here. All, even (especially?) David, should have died. But in God’s grace only Uzziah died for the sins of all.
Never forget this: God is holy. If we become too familiar with him, we begin calling him the “Big Guy” or the “Guy in the Sky”. Or say of him, “That’s no fair!” When we use those terms we are equating God with people. When we place Him equal with people, it is easy to say, “I’ll do it my way.”
Your Holy God requires his way. When we say, “Not fair, Lord.” we are judging God. Don’t ever do that. Remember, he’s the one who created you. He’s the one who saves you.
Pause and Consider: how you are viewing your life today. Are you concerned events “aren’t fair”?
Monday, March 28, 2011
March 29, 2011 Move to the Right
Barb was rifhgt today. It has nothing to do with this devotional, but I wanted to say that because she's a good wife who helps me stay on track.
Lead to the Right
Read 2 Sam 3-4
2 Sam 3:36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.
DO YOU like action films? I feel as if I’ve just seen in this scripture reading today a movie marathon of action that is too much to take. The violence perpetrated in this scripture is sickening. What it describes is the incredible depth of darkness to which sin has taken humanity.
Then shines the bright spot in this darkness—David’s desire to do what is right. It would be easy for him to rejoice at his enemy’s death. But his enemy was murdered, and David punishes the killers. He grieves Abner’s death and calls his people to do the same. He shows his people their king has a heart to do what is right.
We need this kind of leadership today. God calls his people to stand for him in the sin-sickened world to lead people with his right ways. Show those around you a bright spot of God’s right light in the depth of their darkness.
Pause and Consider: how doing right is so unpopular. What can you do to change that?
Lead to the Right
Read 2 Sam 3-4
2 Sam 3:36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.
DO YOU like action films? I feel as if I’ve just seen in this scripture reading today a movie marathon of action that is too much to take. The violence perpetrated in this scripture is sickening. What it describes is the incredible depth of darkness to which sin has taken humanity.
Then shines the bright spot in this darkness—David’s desire to do what is right. It would be easy for him to rejoice at his enemy’s death. But his enemy was murdered, and David punishes the killers. He grieves Abner’s death and calls his people to do the same. He shows his people their king has a heart to do what is right.
We need this kind of leadership today. God calls his people to stand for him in the sin-sickened world to lead people with his right ways. Show those around you a bright spot of God’s right light in the depth of their darkness.
Pause and Consider: how doing right is so unpopular. What can you do to change that?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
March 28, 2011 Honoring God's Anointed
Honoring God’s Anointing
Read 1 Samuel 30-2 Samuel 2
2 Sam 1:11-12 David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day.
SAUL persecuted and hunted David for years. Saul kept Jonathan, David’s best friend, from David. Saul used his troops and his resources to protect his reign. And yet, David mourns Saul’s death.
David knows that Saul was the LORD’s anointed one. God had chosen him to rule, and even though Saul ruled in human error, Saul was still God’s King, and Saul was to be honored as the LORD’s anointed.
If we say we love God, we are to honor those whom God has put in our lives. David displays time and again that the first love of his life is God. What God says and does, David honors.
Oh, David has errored, too, and he’ll do so again. But in the good and the bad, David’s primary consideration is how his actions affect his relationship with God.
God has given David some extremely difficult circumstances. God has given David great victories. David understands that everything, everything, comes from God.
Now, for David, it is time to mourn the passing of the LORD’s King of Israel. And David honors God with his mourning.
Pause and Consider: what God has placed on your heart to do today to honor his love for you.
Read 1 Samuel 30-2 Samuel 2
2 Sam 1:11-12 David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day.
SAUL persecuted and hunted David for years. Saul kept Jonathan, David’s best friend, from David. Saul used his troops and his resources to protect his reign. And yet, David mourns Saul’s death.
David knows that Saul was the LORD’s anointed one. God had chosen him to rule, and even though Saul ruled in human error, Saul was still God’s King, and Saul was to be honored as the LORD’s anointed.
If we say we love God, we are to honor those whom God has put in our lives. David displays time and again that the first love of his life is God. What God says and does, David honors.
Oh, David has errored, too, and he’ll do so again. But in the good and the bad, David’s primary consideration is how his actions affect his relationship with God.
God has given David some extremely difficult circumstances. God has given David great victories. David understands that everything, everything, comes from God.
Now, for David, it is time to mourn the passing of the LORD’s King of Israel. And David honors God with his mourning.
Pause and Consider: what God has placed on your heart to do today to honor his love for you.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
March 27, 2011 Seek and Trust
Seek and Trust
Read 1 Samuel 26-28
1 Sam 26:8-11 “God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!” 9 “No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? 10 Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.”
HERE IS a second time David has had the opportunity to kill Saul. And here is the second time David submits to God’s purpose and God’s timing to accomplish God’s promises to him.
The great contrast between Saul and David is evident time and again. Saul tries vainly to thwart God’s plans and laws. David reverently submits to God’s plans and laws.
These are lessons for us in all circumstances. Jesus said, (Matt 6:32-34) “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
To very simply paraphrase our Lord’s teaching, he was saying in effect, “Trust the Father. All he has planned for you is good. Follow his ways and you will receive what is good in his will for you.”
David followed God’s ways and God rewarded him. It will be good for David to hold on to this way of living. We will see what happens when he does not.
Pause and Consider: that it is frustrating, even dangerous, to go ahead of God.
Read 1 Samuel 26-28
1 Sam 26:8-11 “God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!” 9 “No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? 10 Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.”
HERE IS a second time David has had the opportunity to kill Saul. And here is the second time David submits to God’s purpose and God’s timing to accomplish God’s promises to him.
The great contrast between Saul and David is evident time and again. Saul tries vainly to thwart God’s plans and laws. David reverently submits to God’s plans and laws.
These are lessons for us in all circumstances. Jesus said, (Matt 6:32-34) “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
To very simply paraphrase our Lord’s teaching, he was saying in effect, “Trust the Father. All he has planned for you is good. Follow his ways and you will receive what is good in his will for you.”
David followed God’s ways and God rewarded him. It will be good for David to hold on to this way of living. We will see what happens when he does not.
Pause and Consider: that it is frustrating, even dangerous, to go ahead of God.
Friday, March 25, 2011
March 26, 2011 Real For You Now
Real for You Now
Read 1 Samuel 23-25
1 Sam 23:7-8 Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!”
SAUL DOESN’T get it. He knows God has anointed David to be the next king of Israel. That is why he so desperately wants to kill David. Yet, Saul thinks God is handing David over to his murderous desires.
It’s easy to avoid God’s truth, isn’t it? We read the Bible and find something that causes us to stop and say, “Uh oh. I do that.” But then we think of ways we can get around the “Uh, oh.”
We can call the Bible “out of date”. It was written so long ago that it certainly can’t be relevant now. Or we can convince ourselves, “God’s not talking to me.” Or we can rationalize, “But God wants me to be happy.” Or as Saul did, we just plain ignore the truth.
But ignoring God’s Word leads to ignorance of the Truth.
The Truth, my friends, is what frees us from sin’s bondage. God’s Word is real and true and relevant and freeing. Face up to the Truth. Then rejoice in a God who loves you so much he invites you to live in his Truth forever.
Pause and Consider: truth may seem inconvenient, but it never is.
Read 1 Samuel 23-25
1 Sam 23:7-8 Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!”
SAUL DOESN’T get it. He knows God has anointed David to be the next king of Israel. That is why he so desperately wants to kill David. Yet, Saul thinks God is handing David over to his murderous desires.
It’s easy to avoid God’s truth, isn’t it? We read the Bible and find something that causes us to stop and say, “Uh oh. I do that.” But then we think of ways we can get around the “Uh, oh.”
We can call the Bible “out of date”. It was written so long ago that it certainly can’t be relevant now. Or we can convince ourselves, “God’s not talking to me.” Or we can rationalize, “But God wants me to be happy.” Or as Saul did, we just plain ignore the truth.
But ignoring God’s Word leads to ignorance of the Truth.
The Truth, my friends, is what frees us from sin’s bondage. God’s Word is real and true and relevant and freeing. Face up to the Truth. Then rejoice in a God who loves you so much he invites you to live in his Truth forever.
Pause and Consider: truth may seem inconvenient, but it never is.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 25, 2011 Lies Aren't Ever Little
Lies Aren’t Ever Little
Read 1 Samuel 20-22
1 Sam 21:1-3 David went to the town of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he saw him. “Why are you alone?” he asked. “Why is no one with you?” 2 “The king has sent me on a private matter,” David said. “He told me not to tell anyone why I am here. I have told my men where to meet me later. 3 Now, what is there to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have.”
&
1 Sam 22:18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments.
DAVID AND SAUL SIN. Is one worse than the other?
First, we see David lying to Ahimelech to get food and a weapon. Because of his lie, Saul, in the second scripture, accused Ahimelech of helping David escape. Saul used Doeg, the Edomite—a non-Jew—to do his dirty work and kill all the priests and their families.
Do you ever think a little lie makes no difference? Sure, it seemed right for David to lie to Ahimelech. It was so convenient, and Ahimelech didn’t need to know everything. Could David have been thinking, “My life is certainly worth a little lie.” David’s fear for his life cost Ahimelech and hundreds of others their lives.
And Saul’s fear for his kingdom drives him to order the senseless killing. Yes, sin makes us dirty. Sin makes us guilty. Sin creeps from place to place, person to person. When we sin, the deed does not isolate itself in one place. It extends to places you never intend.
Whatever you do involves others. Sin shows up in places you cannot know. Turn to Jesus to cleanse the dirt of sin from your life. A blameless life shows up in places you can’t imagine!
Pause and Consider: lies are always hurtful.
Read 1 Samuel 20-22
1 Sam 21:1-3 David went to the town of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he saw him. “Why are you alone?” he asked. “Why is no one with you?” 2 “The king has sent me on a private matter,” David said. “He told me not to tell anyone why I am here. I have told my men where to meet me later. 3 Now, what is there to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have.”
&
1 Sam 22:18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments.
DAVID AND SAUL SIN. Is one worse than the other?
First, we see David lying to Ahimelech to get food and a weapon. Because of his lie, Saul, in the second scripture, accused Ahimelech of helping David escape. Saul used Doeg, the Edomite—a non-Jew—to do his dirty work and kill all the priests and their families.
Do you ever think a little lie makes no difference? Sure, it seemed right for David to lie to Ahimelech. It was so convenient, and Ahimelech didn’t need to know everything. Could David have been thinking, “My life is certainly worth a little lie.” David’s fear for his life cost Ahimelech and hundreds of others their lives.
And Saul’s fear for his kingdom drives him to order the senseless killing. Yes, sin makes us dirty. Sin makes us guilty. Sin creeps from place to place, person to person. When we sin, the deed does not isolate itself in one place. It extends to places you never intend.
Whatever you do involves others. Sin shows up in places you cannot know. Turn to Jesus to cleanse the dirt of sin from your life. A blameless life shows up in places you can’t imagine!
Pause and Consider: lies are always hurtful.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March 24, 2011 Wanted: Humility
Wanted: Humility
Read 1 Samuel 18-19
1 Sam 18:7-9 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
SAUL is King of Israel. But he’s a lousy leader. He let fear keep him from victory over Goliath. He sent a boy to do a man’s job there. Now the boy David gets more credit, and Saul’s pride begins to destroy him.
From this incident is Saul’s quick decline to vengeance, murder and insanity. God had given to him a young, passionate leader in David; yet, Saul’s jealousy kept David from using his passion and skills to support his king.
What should Saul have done here? He should have celebrated David, too. He should have made David a General in his army to train his army well. He should have thanked God for such a leader in his midst.
Instead he began a pursuit to destroy David. And this would eventually destroy him. Saul could have been a great first king for Israel. Instead, as in so many men who rule, his pride and fear destroyed him.
Has God given you opportunities to lead? Use your strengths and use the strengths’ of others whom God has sent to help you. Be humble and lead in the understanding that it is God who has placed you in this position. And it is God whom you will glorify when you lead well.
Pause and Consider: where God is guiding you to lead.
Read 1 Samuel 18-19
1 Sam 18:7-9 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
SAUL is King of Israel. But he’s a lousy leader. He let fear keep him from victory over Goliath. He sent a boy to do a man’s job there. Now the boy David gets more credit, and Saul’s pride begins to destroy him.
From this incident is Saul’s quick decline to vengeance, murder and insanity. God had given to him a young, passionate leader in David; yet, Saul’s jealousy kept David from using his passion and skills to support his king.
What should Saul have done here? He should have celebrated David, too. He should have made David a General in his army to train his army well. He should have thanked God for such a leader in his midst.
Instead he began a pursuit to destroy David. And this would eventually destroy him. Saul could have been a great first king for Israel. Instead, as in so many men who rule, his pride and fear destroyed him.
Has God given you opportunities to lead? Use your strengths and use the strengths’ of others whom God has sent to help you. Be humble and lead in the understanding that it is God who has placed you in this position. And it is God whom you will glorify when you lead well.
Pause and Consider: where God is guiding you to lead.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
March 23, 2011 Conqquer the Giants
Conquer Giants
Read 1 Samuel 16-17
1 Sam 17:26 Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?
&
1 Sam 17:32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
&
1 Sam 17:37 “The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
&
1 Sam 17:45-46 “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
WHAT DO YOU think makes the David/Goliath story so appealing? Is it the boy destroying the giant? Is it the brave boy going forth when fear grips the army of Israel? Is it good winning over evil?
I read something earlier this week about David’s victory. The person commented that David never referred to Goliath as a giant. Instead, “pagan Philistine” or “Philistine” is how David saw him—a man from another country who defied God—nothing more. And David knew that God would use him to conquer Goliath.
David walked past the fear in the camp to encounter the enemy of God. “Fear” “giant” “defeat” were not in David’s vocabulary because he trusted his God.
Giants come against us, don’t they? They’re named Uncertainty, Hurt Feelings, Jealousy, Disappointment, Unforgiveness and Anger. They loom large before us, and they never go away until we trust in the Living God to conquer them. Giants get real small when we trust the Living God to conquer them.
Pause and Consider: that you can conquer giants one step at a time as you walk with God’s power.
Read 1 Samuel 16-17
1 Sam 17:26 Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?
&
1 Sam 17:32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
&
1 Sam 17:37 “The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
&
1 Sam 17:45-46 “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
WHAT DO YOU think makes the David/Goliath story so appealing? Is it the boy destroying the giant? Is it the brave boy going forth when fear grips the army of Israel? Is it good winning over evil?
I read something earlier this week about David’s victory. The person commented that David never referred to Goliath as a giant. Instead, “pagan Philistine” or “Philistine” is how David saw him—a man from another country who defied God—nothing more. And David knew that God would use him to conquer Goliath.
David walked past the fear in the camp to encounter the enemy of God. “Fear” “giant” “defeat” were not in David’s vocabulary because he trusted his God.
Giants come against us, don’t they? They’re named Uncertainty, Hurt Feelings, Jealousy, Disappointment, Unforgiveness and Anger. They loom large before us, and they never go away until we trust in the Living God to conquer them. Giants get real small when we trust the Living God to conquer them.
Pause and Consider: that you can conquer giants one step at a time as you walk with God’s power.
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 22, 2011 Committed to Life
Committed to Life
Read 1 Samuel 14-15
1 Sam 15:22 What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
THIS IS TOUGH. Here we are again. We saw this in Joshua. I don’t like reading about God’s instructions to Saul to kill all the Amalekite men, women, children and every animal they own. God was punishing their sin against him and his people. But my moral sense says, “It’s wrong. Aren’t you a God of Life?”
Indeed he is. God’s focus on life is eternal, and he could not allow the sin among the Amalekites to turn his people from his eternal life plan for them. He knew their sin threatened his people’s lives. He needed to sacrifice this people group to sustain his own people and to continue his plan to give you life.
God is so committed to your life he killed his own Son to save you. Your sin killed Jesus. God could have come to kill you, and it would have been right because you are a sinner. God killed Jesus, instead, so you could live.
Do you understand this incredible act God has done? The Amalekites disobeyed. Saul disobeyed. I’ve disobeyed. You’ve disobeyed.
But Jesus obeyed the Father. And Jesus’ blood saves us to eternal life! The more I know God, the more I understand how intolerable any sin is in God’s sight. The more I know God, the more I am in awe of his life gift to me. That gift is for you, too.
Pause and Consider: what you will do with that gift.
Read 1 Samuel 14-15
1 Sam 15:22 What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
THIS IS TOUGH. Here we are again. We saw this in Joshua. I don’t like reading about God’s instructions to Saul to kill all the Amalekite men, women, children and every animal they own. God was punishing their sin against him and his people. But my moral sense says, “It’s wrong. Aren’t you a God of Life?”
Indeed he is. God’s focus on life is eternal, and he could not allow the sin among the Amalekites to turn his people from his eternal life plan for them. He knew their sin threatened his people’s lives. He needed to sacrifice this people group to sustain his own people and to continue his plan to give you life.
God is so committed to your life he killed his own Son to save you. Your sin killed Jesus. God could have come to kill you, and it would have been right because you are a sinner. God killed Jesus, instead, so you could live.
Do you understand this incredible act God has done? The Amalekites disobeyed. Saul disobeyed. I’ve disobeyed. You’ve disobeyed.
But Jesus obeyed the Father. And Jesus’ blood saves us to eternal life! The more I know God, the more I understand how intolerable any sin is in God’s sight. The more I know God, the more I am in awe of his life gift to me. That gift is for you, too.
Pause and Consider: what you will do with that gift.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
March 21, 2011 Praise God
Praise God
Read 1 Samuel 12-14
1 Sam 12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
SAMUEL IS getting close to the end of his time as a Judge (leader, not a law judge) of Israel. As a good leader, he wants his people to remember how good God has been to them.
This is so important. I have been reminded in many ways these past few months of the primary place praise plays in our lives.
We all have complaints, and we all wish things were better. We pray for change, and we pray for resolution to issues. These prayers of petition are good things to offer to God.
But do we praise God? The main part of Samuel’s speech is to remind his people of the miracles God has done in the history of their nation. He reminds them to consider the wonderful things God has done.
What would those wonderful things be? Surely they would include their delivery from slavery, their settlement in the Promise Land, their receiving of the Law. These are great and wonderful realities!
And for us, the object of our praise every day is the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to salvation. These are truly wonderful realities!
What else do you think comes in the category of “wonderful” for the Hebrews? Could it be the land they work, the children they’ve raised, the good Judge they’ve lived under, and the times of peace and prosperity they’ve enjoyed?
Pause and Consider: the wonderful things your Lord God has given to you.
Read 1 Samuel 12-14
1 Sam 12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
SAMUEL IS getting close to the end of his time as a Judge (leader, not a law judge) of Israel. As a good leader, he wants his people to remember how good God has been to them.
This is so important. I have been reminded in many ways these past few months of the primary place praise plays in our lives.
We all have complaints, and we all wish things were better. We pray for change, and we pray for resolution to issues. These prayers of petition are good things to offer to God.
But do we praise God? The main part of Samuel’s speech is to remind his people of the miracles God has done in the history of their nation. He reminds them to consider the wonderful things God has done.
What would those wonderful things be? Surely they would include their delivery from slavery, their settlement in the Promise Land, their receiving of the Law. These are great and wonderful realities!
And for us, the object of our praise every day is the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to salvation. These are truly wonderful realities!
What else do you think comes in the category of “wonderful” for the Hebrews? Could it be the land they work, the children they’ve raised, the good Judge they’ve lived under, and the times of peace and prosperity they’ve enjoyed?
Pause and Consider: the wonderful things your Lord God has given to you.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
March 19, 2011 Learn Well
Learn Well
Read 1 Samuel 4-7
1 Sam 7:4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths and served the LORD only.
WAR is the theme of these chapters. And it is not only conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites. God is also choosing sides. At one point, God favored the Philistines. Israel’s leaders and priests had committed sacrificial and sexual sin against God’s law.
Eventually Samuel, the righteous Judge (leader) of Israel brought his people back to worship God. When Scripture says they “put away their Baals and Ashtoreths” it means they stopped following idols. Baal was a male figure, and Ashtoreth was female. To “worship” them meant sacrificing children into fire and heinous sexual immorality.
The Bible is always about putting away the false gods and worshiping our Living God. Are there false gods in your life? What’s most important? Where do you spend your time? Are you always looking for God to approve your ways even when you know they’re wrong? That’s what the Israelites were doing.
They learned a horrible lesson—God would leave them. They would be destroyed if they didn’t change their ways.
I hope you learn from their experiences. Follow God’s ways, or you will be separated from him. Trust God desires the best for you.
Pause and Consider: an idol in your life holding you back from knowing God better.
Read 1 Samuel 4-7
1 Sam 7:4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths and served the LORD only.
WAR is the theme of these chapters. And it is not only conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites. God is also choosing sides. At one point, God favored the Philistines. Israel’s leaders and priests had committed sacrificial and sexual sin against God’s law.
Eventually Samuel, the righteous Judge (leader) of Israel brought his people back to worship God. When Scripture says they “put away their Baals and Ashtoreths” it means they stopped following idols. Baal was a male figure, and Ashtoreth was female. To “worship” them meant sacrificing children into fire and heinous sexual immorality.
The Bible is always about putting away the false gods and worshiping our Living God. Are there false gods in your life? What’s most important? Where do you spend your time? Are you always looking for God to approve your ways even when you know they’re wrong? That’s what the Israelites were doing.
They learned a horrible lesson—God would leave them. They would be destroyed if they didn’t change their ways.
I hope you learn from their experiences. Follow God’s ways, or you will be separated from him. Trust God desires the best for you.
Pause and Consider: an idol in your life holding you back from knowing God better.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 18, 2011 A Mother's Gift
A Mother’s Gift
Read 1 Samuel 1-3
1 Samuel 1:2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
SAMUEL, Saul and David are about to enter into Israel’s history. The people of Israel reject God’s leadership to desire an earthly king—they want to be like everyone else. You can imagine what trouble they’re about to create for themselves.
But first comes Samuel. Samuel comes from Hannah, a woman who is barren.
What’s the deal with God? Why does he often choose women who are barren to become the mothers of some of his most famous leaders?
Perhaps it is to consistently remind us that he is the one in charge. He appoints people to their lives at their specific time for their specific purpose. And Samuel’s purpose is to bring Israel from generations of rejecting God into worshiping God. He would come in God’s time. The worship begins with Hannah. She has no hope of a child until she dedicates her life and the child’s life to God.
Ah, in her barrenness God has her attention. Now he has her heart. So she gives to God her son. That’s what he wanted—the beginning of worship. He wanted a godly mother to produce a godly son to lead a godly nation.
Faith to faith, generation to generation God calls you moms and dads to trust him, to even give your child over to him.
Then do so. Teach them to follow God. Let go of them spiritually and trust them to God. Then see how your child will make a difference in the world around him. Oh yes, may the blessings flow.
Pause and Consider: do you live for your children the way you teach them to live?
Read 1 Samuel 1-3
1 Samuel 1:2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
SAMUEL, Saul and David are about to enter into Israel’s history. The people of Israel reject God’s leadership to desire an earthly king—they want to be like everyone else. You can imagine what trouble they’re about to create for themselves.
But first comes Samuel. Samuel comes from Hannah, a woman who is barren.
What’s the deal with God? Why does he often choose women who are barren to become the mothers of some of his most famous leaders?
Perhaps it is to consistently remind us that he is the one in charge. He appoints people to their lives at their specific time for their specific purpose. And Samuel’s purpose is to bring Israel from generations of rejecting God into worshiping God. He would come in God’s time. The worship begins with Hannah. She has no hope of a child until she dedicates her life and the child’s life to God.
Ah, in her barrenness God has her attention. Now he has her heart. So she gives to God her son. That’s what he wanted—the beginning of worship. He wanted a godly mother to produce a godly son to lead a godly nation.
Faith to faith, generation to generation God calls you moms and dads to trust him, to even give your child over to him.
Then do so. Teach them to follow God. Let go of them spiritually and trust them to God. Then see how your child will make a difference in the world around him. Oh yes, may the blessings flow.
Pause and Consider: do you live for your children the way you teach them to live?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 17, 2011 Ruth's Redeeming Relative
A Redeeming Relative
Read Ruth
Ruth 2:20 “The LORD bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”
I LOVE this story. Ruth is so faithful. Boaz is so honorable. Naomi runs out of hope, and the faithful Ruth and honorable Boaz redeem her life from bleak widowhood to a life of security.
In addition, Naomi will become the great-great-grandmother of Israel’s most powerful king, David. This is a story of redemption and Boaz is called a kinsman-redeemer. What does that mean?
Boaz is kin (a relative) to Naomi. By Hebrew law (check out Leviticus), Boaz has a right, if he chooses, to buy Naomi’s property and to marry her or Ruth. This is God’s way of rescuing widows from poverty.
In chapter 4, though, there was one man more closely related to Naomi, and he had the first right to redeem Naomi. But he refused for reasons unclear. Then honorable Boaz acted on the law with grace to buy Naomi’s land and to marry Ruth.
Thus, these two widows—poor in Bethlehem (Ephratha is another name)—are redeemed—saved—through God’s law. Children come. Ruth and Boaz are King David’s great grandparents. Bethlehem, thus, is the “house” of David.
To that little town of Bethlehem Ephrathah came one to be Israel’s kinsman-redeemer. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, born of a virgin Hebrew, fulfilled God’s law and acted in the Father’s grace to redeem you from the poverty of sin. Don’t you just love this story?
Pause and Consider: who in your family needs someone to help them today?
Read Ruth
Ruth 2:20 “The LORD bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”
I LOVE this story. Ruth is so faithful. Boaz is so honorable. Naomi runs out of hope, and the faithful Ruth and honorable Boaz redeem her life from bleak widowhood to a life of security.
In addition, Naomi will become the great-great-grandmother of Israel’s most powerful king, David. This is a story of redemption and Boaz is called a kinsman-redeemer. What does that mean?
Boaz is kin (a relative) to Naomi. By Hebrew law (check out Leviticus), Boaz has a right, if he chooses, to buy Naomi’s property and to marry her or Ruth. This is God’s way of rescuing widows from poverty.
In chapter 4, though, there was one man more closely related to Naomi, and he had the first right to redeem Naomi. But he refused for reasons unclear. Then honorable Boaz acted on the law with grace to buy Naomi’s land and to marry Ruth.
Thus, these two widows—poor in Bethlehem (Ephratha is another name)—are redeemed—saved—through God’s law. Children come. Ruth and Boaz are King David’s great grandparents. Bethlehem, thus, is the “house” of David.
To that little town of Bethlehem Ephrathah came one to be Israel’s kinsman-redeemer. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, born of a virgin Hebrew, fulfilled God’s law and acted in the Father’s grace to redeem you from the poverty of sin. Don’t you just love this story?
Pause and Consider: who in your family needs someone to help them today?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
March 16, 2011 Committed to God
Committed to God
Read Joshua 22-24
Josh 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
WHAT’S the bottom line in your life? What’s non-negotiable, the thing(s) you will not compromise?
Joshua made it clear where he stood. Regardless of what the popular choice in his culture might be, he was determined to serve the LORD.
That means everything he did was based on God’s commands. Joshua would obey the sacrificial laws, the laws about caring for his wife and children and the laws about living in harmony with his neighbors.
His “LORD commitment” would guide him to keep the Sabbath and celebrate the festivals. His devotion to God would convict him to teach his children and grandchildren about all the wonderful things the LORD had done to give his people a land of plenty.
Committing to serve the LORD is making his name known by the way you live among your family and among your community. It is life of trusting him.
Are you willing to take on Joshua’s commitment for yourself?
Pause and Consider: what commitment means.
Read Joshua 22-24
Josh 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
WHAT’S the bottom line in your life? What’s non-negotiable, the thing(s) you will not compromise?
Joshua made it clear where he stood. Regardless of what the popular choice in his culture might be, he was determined to serve the LORD.
That means everything he did was based on God’s commands. Joshua would obey the sacrificial laws, the laws about caring for his wife and children and the laws about living in harmony with his neighbors.
His “LORD commitment” would guide him to keep the Sabbath and celebrate the festivals. His devotion to God would convict him to teach his children and grandchildren about all the wonderful things the LORD had done to give his people a land of plenty.
Committing to serve the LORD is making his name known by the way you live among your family and among your community. It is life of trusting him.
Are you willing to take on Joshua’s commitment for yourself?
Pause and Consider: what commitment means.
Monday, March 14, 2011
march 15, 2011 City of Refuge
A Place of Refuge
Read Joshua 19-21
Josh 20:2-3 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally 5 flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.”
SEVERAL times we see God giving instructions for the cities of refuge. Is God unfairly giving refuge to someone who has been responsible for another’s death?
Our heavenly Father knows that in the daily workings of imperfect humanity, accidents will happen. There’s no way around it. In a sinful world, people make mistakes, and accidental death will occur.
God realizes the relatives of the one who died could kill the one who is responsible for the accident. So the city of refuge is to protect innocent life. And it protects the victim’s family.
The one who caused the accident is safe and free to live life without fear of reprisal. And the victim’s family is free to live life free of the temptation to do harm to the one who caused the accident.
Here is God offering refuge to both sides. He offers freedom from recrimination and freedom from further tragedy. He protects all.
This is a picture of God’s eternal refuge for all. To protect us from his reprisal one day, to protect us from his judgment, he has given us refuge in the blood of Christ.
Trust Jesus to be your refuge. You will live in spiritual safety and peace in God’s sight all your days here on earth because the blood of Christ protects you for all eternity.
Pause and Consider: that peace comes in a deep trust of Jesus’ blood over you.
Read Joshua 19-21
Josh 20:2-3 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally 5 flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.”
SEVERAL times we see God giving instructions for the cities of refuge. Is God unfairly giving refuge to someone who has been responsible for another’s death?
Our heavenly Father knows that in the daily workings of imperfect humanity, accidents will happen. There’s no way around it. In a sinful world, people make mistakes, and accidental death will occur.
God realizes the relatives of the one who died could kill the one who is responsible for the accident. So the city of refuge is to protect innocent life. And it protects the victim’s family.
The one who caused the accident is safe and free to live life without fear of reprisal. And the victim’s family is free to live life free of the temptation to do harm to the one who caused the accident.
Here is God offering refuge to both sides. He offers freedom from recrimination and freedom from further tragedy. He protects all.
This is a picture of God’s eternal refuge for all. To protect us from his reprisal one day, to protect us from his judgment, he has given us refuge in the blood of Christ.
Trust Jesus to be your refuge. You will live in spiritual safety and peace in God’s sight all your days here on earth because the blood of Christ protects you for all eternity.
Pause and Consider: that peace comes in a deep trust of Jesus’ blood over you.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March 14, 2011 Care for Your Leaders
Care for God’s Leaders
Read Joshua 16-18
Josh 18:7 The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the LORD is their inheritance.
THERE ARE 12 tribes of people that form the Hebrew nation. These tribes descend from the 12 sons of Jacob as described in Genesis. The tribe descended from Jacob’s son Levi are the Levites. And God has chosen them to be his priests. Their function is to be God’s representatives among his people, to be sure the Hebrews obey the commandments, the sacrifices, the feasts and the festivals.
The Levites don’t get any land to grow food and livestock. That’s not their task. They are God’s priests. The rest of the nation is to care for its priests and their families.
There is a special responsibility in being called to represent God to his people. There is also a special responsibility to care for God’s priests. Caring for those who represent God is a way we honor God.
Too often we’re of a mind to criticize our pastors and church leaders. We look on them and consider where we think they can do better. We point at them and criticize them. And then we wonder, “Why can’t they be more effective? Or “Why can’t they be a stronger leader?”
Sometimes the answer is in us. We don’t encourage them, we don’t pray for them, and we don’t honor them.
God clearly told the Hebrews to care for his priests. We need to care for those he has chosen to represent him today.
Pause and Consider: how precious God’s Word is to him that he set aside a tribe of people to only priests to protect His Law and His authority.
Read Joshua 16-18
Josh 18:7 The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the LORD is their inheritance.
THERE ARE 12 tribes of people that form the Hebrew nation. These tribes descend from the 12 sons of Jacob as described in Genesis. The tribe descended from Jacob’s son Levi are the Levites. And God has chosen them to be his priests. Their function is to be God’s representatives among his people, to be sure the Hebrews obey the commandments, the sacrifices, the feasts and the festivals.
The Levites don’t get any land to grow food and livestock. That’s not their task. They are God’s priests. The rest of the nation is to care for its priests and their families.
There is a special responsibility in being called to represent God to his people. There is also a special responsibility to care for God’s priests. Caring for those who represent God is a way we honor God.
Too often we’re of a mind to criticize our pastors and church leaders. We look on them and consider where we think they can do better. We point at them and criticize them. And then we wonder, “Why can’t they be more effective? Or “Why can’t they be a stronger leader?”
Sometimes the answer is in us. We don’t encourage them, we don’t pray for them, and we don’t honor them.
God clearly told the Hebrews to care for his priests. We need to care for those he has chosen to represent him today.
Pause and Consider: how precious God’s Word is to him that he set aside a tribe of people to only priests to protect His Law and His authority.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
March 13, 2011 45 Years Faithful
45 Years Faithful
Read Joshua 13-15
Josh 14:9 So on that day Moses swore to me, “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.”
THE PERSON speaking here is Caleb. He and Joshua were two of the 12 “spies” Moses sent 45 years before this time to check out the Promised Land and to prepare to conquer it. But of the 12 who went, only Joshua and Caleb said, “Let’s go!” The others were afraid of the obstacles they saw.
Caleb and Joshua trusted God. They took their eyes from the impossible and focused their eyes on God’s promises.
Now, 45 years later, Caleb receives his reward. For 45 years he remained faithful. Do you think he ever wondered, “When’s it my turn, Lord? When do I get my reward? When do I get to eat real food instead of the manna? When can I settle down?”
I don’t think he did. He may have. But I think he put God’s ways and God’s time before his own.
It is good when we keep our eyes on God’s promises. And we trust him to deliver in his time.
Pause and Consider: how time is irrelevant without God.
Read Joshua 13-15
Josh 14:9 So on that day Moses swore to me, “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.”
THE PERSON speaking here is Caleb. He and Joshua were two of the 12 “spies” Moses sent 45 years before this time to check out the Promised Land and to prepare to conquer it. But of the 12 who went, only Joshua and Caleb said, “Let’s go!” The others were afraid of the obstacles they saw.
Caleb and Joshua trusted God. They took their eyes from the impossible and focused their eyes on God’s promises.
Now, 45 years later, Caleb receives his reward. For 45 years he remained faithful. Do you think he ever wondered, “When’s it my turn, Lord? When do I get my reward? When do I get to eat real food instead of the manna? When can I settle down?”
I don’t think he did. He may have. But I think he put God’s ways and God’s time before his own.
It is good when we keep our eyes on God’s promises. And we trust him to deliver in his time.
Pause and Consider: how time is irrelevant without God.
Friday, March 11, 2011
March 12, 2011 The Sun Stopped
The Sun Stopped!
Read Joshua 10-12
Josh 10:14 The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.
SO, YOU think your troubles are too big for God. You think he can’t correct what’s wrong. You doubt you’re important to him. There’s no way he’s willing to do miracles for you.
Maybe you should reconsider. He made the sun stand still for Joshua. How did Joshua receive such blessing?
Josh 11:15 As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
Joshua left nothing undone. He fully obeyed. Could it be this is why God favored Joshua, to even cause the sun to stand still? Moses spoke from God, and Joshua did as Moses told him.
Could it be obedience to God leads to blessings from God? Could it be God’s great power is available to those who trust his Word? Check it out and let me know.
Pause and Consider: what do you need to do with God today?
Read Joshua 10-12
Josh 10:14 The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.
SO, YOU think your troubles are too big for God. You think he can’t correct what’s wrong. You doubt you’re important to him. There’s no way he’s willing to do miracles for you.
Maybe you should reconsider. He made the sun stand still for Joshua. How did Joshua receive such blessing?
Josh 11:15 As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
Joshua left nothing undone. He fully obeyed. Could it be this is why God favored Joshua, to even cause the sun to stand still? Moses spoke from God, and Joshua did as Moses told him.
Could it be obedience to God leads to blessings from God? Could it be God’s great power is available to those who trust his Word? Check it out and let me know.
Pause and Consider: what do you need to do with God today?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 11, 2011 The Hard Truth
The Hard Truth
Read Joshua 7-9
Josh 8:25 Twelve thousand men and women fell that day — all the people of Ai.
SOMEONE said in church this week about the bible, “It’s not all easy to read.” This passage is one of those. You read and read it again; you put it down; you pick it up; you read it again, and you wonder, “Is this the God of forgiveness, of ‘love your enemies’ of salvation and renewal?”
Actually it is. But how can the great Deliverer command his own people to kill thousands of citizens, ransack cities and seemingly bully their way into the Promised Land?
The reason he does this? Sin is the reason. It is the stuff you and I are guilty of each day. Sin filled the lives of the people who were living in the land. They worshiped false gods, and their sin destroyed them.
The bible stories are full of people living far from God. And God cleanses the earth as he judges them. Yes, this scripture is hard for two reasons: First, we hate that God directs his people to kill others. We have compassion for these people.
The second reason is we are reminded of God the Judge. Ultimately he will come over the entire earth, and “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” Rev 19:15
Yes, God will ultimately cleanse the earth. If we really have compassion for people, then we must tell our friends about God, the Judge and God the Deliverer. Those who don’t know Jesus as Lord are in danger of destruction.
Pause and Consider: it’s grand to tell people about God the Deliverer.
Read Joshua 7-9
Josh 8:25 Twelve thousand men and women fell that day — all the people of Ai.
SOMEONE said in church this week about the bible, “It’s not all easy to read.” This passage is one of those. You read and read it again; you put it down; you pick it up; you read it again, and you wonder, “Is this the God of forgiveness, of ‘love your enemies’ of salvation and renewal?”
Actually it is. But how can the great Deliverer command his own people to kill thousands of citizens, ransack cities and seemingly bully their way into the Promised Land?
The reason he does this? Sin is the reason. It is the stuff you and I are guilty of each day. Sin filled the lives of the people who were living in the land. They worshiped false gods, and their sin destroyed them.
The bible stories are full of people living far from God. And God cleanses the earth as he judges them. Yes, this scripture is hard for two reasons: First, we hate that God directs his people to kill others. We have compassion for these people.
The second reason is we are reminded of God the Judge. Ultimately he will come over the entire earth, and “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” Rev 19:15
Yes, God will ultimately cleanse the earth. If we really have compassion for people, then we must tell our friends about God, the Judge and God the Deliverer. Those who don’t know Jesus as Lord are in danger of destruction.
Pause and Consider: it’s grand to tell people about God the Deliverer.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 10, 2011 Sound Good? It is.
Cleansing Worship
Read Joshua 3-6
Josh 3:5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”
I’M THINKING of Sunday morning, going to church and being in God’s presence. I wonder what would happen if I would “consecrate” myself on Sunday morning. And then I would leave worship in faith, expecting God to do amazing things in my life.
To consecrate means to become clean or to be morally purified. Now I can’t purify myself morally or “clean” myself spiritually. But I can, in the presence of God, open myself to his Spirit to do the cleansing.
How would I open myself to cleansing? I would confess my sins. I would pray to God in praise and adoration. I would sing songs of praise and worship in gratitude for his salvation on my soul. I would raise my hands in love, or sit in contemplation of his Word.
I would listen closely to the Word spoken to determine where I fall short of following God. And I would pray for God’s protection on my heart in order to live more closely with him.
Then I would leave. I would go home in expectation of his blessings, his power, his grace on my life. I would give thanks all week long for his “amazing things” in my life.
Then I would be excited to go back the next week to “get clean” all over again, gathered with God’s people to worship him.
Sound good? It is.
Pause and Consider: how good it is to be clean.
Read Joshua 3-6
Josh 3:5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”
I’M THINKING of Sunday morning, going to church and being in God’s presence. I wonder what would happen if I would “consecrate” myself on Sunday morning. And then I would leave worship in faith, expecting God to do amazing things in my life.
To consecrate means to become clean or to be morally purified. Now I can’t purify myself morally or “clean” myself spiritually. But I can, in the presence of God, open myself to his Spirit to do the cleansing.
How would I open myself to cleansing? I would confess my sins. I would pray to God in praise and adoration. I would sing songs of praise and worship in gratitude for his salvation on my soul. I would raise my hands in love, or sit in contemplation of his Word.
I would listen closely to the Word spoken to determine where I fall short of following God. And I would pray for God’s protection on my heart in order to live more closely with him.
Then I would leave. I would go home in expectation of his blessings, his power, his grace on my life. I would give thanks all week long for his “amazing things” in my life.
Then I would be excited to go back the next week to “get clean” all over again, gathered with God’s people to worship him.
Sound good? It is.
Pause and Consider: how good it is to be clean.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
March 9, 2011 God Can Change Your Life
God Can Change Your Life
Joshua 1-2
Josh 2:10-11 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Re d Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
DO YOU see how God’s reputation has gone before his people? God’s miracles in Egypt and in the desert gave his people victory, and they frightened all the nations who heard of them. How could they stand against a people whose God changed the laws of nature?
I’m thinking right now of someone who experienced a very deep brokenness in her life a few years ago. Her family split apart. Her health declined, her job was in jeopardy, her husband left, and now what could she do?
I suggested she open her bible and meet her miracle working God. He could part a sea to free his people. He could heal broken bodies and broken spirits. His power could raise his Son from the grave.
I offered that God could do miracles in her life—conquer her enemies and open her life to new hope and peace. But she wouldn’t go for it. She didn’t think it would help to read the bible, to get to know God. She didn’t trust he had prepared for her a Life of Promise.
I hope someday she’ll change her mind and trust her God. I pray she’ll follow him to the place he has already gone, waiting for her to follow.
Pause and Consider: God’s Word heals broken lives.
Joshua 1-2
Josh 2:10-11 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Re d Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
DO YOU see how God’s reputation has gone before his people? God’s miracles in Egypt and in the desert gave his people victory, and they frightened all the nations who heard of them. How could they stand against a people whose God changed the laws of nature?
I’m thinking right now of someone who experienced a very deep brokenness in her life a few years ago. Her family split apart. Her health declined, her job was in jeopardy, her husband left, and now what could she do?
I suggested she open her bible and meet her miracle working God. He could part a sea to free his people. He could heal broken bodies and broken spirits. His power could raise his Son from the grave.
I offered that God could do miracles in her life—conquer her enemies and open her life to new hope and peace. But she wouldn’t go for it. She didn’t think it would help to read the bible, to get to know God. She didn’t trust he had prepared for her a Life of Promise.
I hope someday she’ll change her mind and trust her God. I pray she’ll follow him to the place he has already gone, waiting for her to follow.
Pause and Consider: God’s Word heals broken lives.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
march 6, 2011 A Great Dad
A Great Dad
Read Deuteronomy 25-27
Deut 26:19 God has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.
FOCUS ON the phrase “he will set you in praise”. What does that mean to you?
I’m thinking of a loving father at graduation time. He sits in the audience and watches his son cross the stage to receive his diploma. He thinks of the difficult times his son has endured, working through the homework, struggling with the math, rebelling against some teachers. He is mindful that his son’s journey through school hasn’t been perfect—and even has been terribly difficult.
And then he considers his son’s successes. The improvement in his grades from his freshman year to his senior year, his acceptance into college, and this moment of graduation.
His son has made it. The difficulties of getting to this day are behind. There will be difficulties in the future. Today is a day to celebrate. He gives praise to his son. He points him out to a stranger nearby. No one else in the auditorium matters. That is his son, and he is pleased. He praises his son in his heart for many things, but most of all he praises his son because he is his son.
God loves you in this same way. He stays with you. You matter so much to your Father he sent Jesus, his son, to die for you, to welcome you across the stage to life eternal. He loves you so much he has sent his Holy Spirit to care for you, to guide you through the tough times, to keep you walking across the stage, to keep loving you and honoring you—to stay with you.
Yes, God the Father stays with you. After all, you are his child.
Pause and Consider: isn’t God a great Dad?
Read Deuteronomy 25-27
Deut 26:19 God has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.
FOCUS ON the phrase “he will set you in praise”. What does that mean to you?
I’m thinking of a loving father at graduation time. He sits in the audience and watches his son cross the stage to receive his diploma. He thinks of the difficult times his son has endured, working through the homework, struggling with the math, rebelling against some teachers. He is mindful that his son’s journey through school hasn’t been perfect—and even has been terribly difficult.
And then he considers his son’s successes. The improvement in his grades from his freshman year to his senior year, his acceptance into college, and this moment of graduation.
His son has made it. The difficulties of getting to this day are behind. There will be difficulties in the future. Today is a day to celebrate. He gives praise to his son. He points him out to a stranger nearby. No one else in the auditorium matters. That is his son, and he is pleased. He praises his son in his heart for many things, but most of all he praises his son because he is his son.
God loves you in this same way. He stays with you. You matter so much to your Father he sent Jesus, his son, to die for you, to welcome you across the stage to life eternal. He loves you so much he has sent his Holy Spirit to care for you, to guide you through the tough times, to keep you walking across the stage, to keep loving you and honoring you—to stay with you.
Yes, God the Father stays with you. After all, you are his child.
Pause and Consider: isn’t God a great Dad?
Friday, March 4, 2011
March 5, 2011 A Tree A Cross
A Tree-A Cross
Read Deuteronomy 21-24
Deut 21:22-23 If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.
THIS PASSAGE isn’t very inspiring is it? Or is it?
Now think. How did Jesus die? The cross was considered a “tree”. The Romans often nailed people to trees along roadways.
The One who died on a tree was one who had committed a capital offense. Jesus was accused of blasphemy, words against God, punishable by death. (Matt 26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!”)
The one hung on a tree was to be taken down before nightfall and buried. Nicodemus and Joseph did that to Jesus. (Matt 27:57-58 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea , named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.)
The one hung on a tree was under God’s curse. Jesus, the Son of God, was under God’s curse for the sin of the world—yours and mine. (Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.)
Now, does this inspire you? God sent his Son to the worst death on earth for the best life in Heaven. God killed His Son that you might live.
What will you do with this gift that cost God everything?
Pause and Consider: salvation, free to you, cost God everything.
Read Deuteronomy 21-24
Deut 21:22-23 If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.
THIS PASSAGE isn’t very inspiring is it? Or is it?
Now think. How did Jesus die? The cross was considered a “tree”. The Romans often nailed people to trees along roadways.
The One who died on a tree was one who had committed a capital offense. Jesus was accused of blasphemy, words against God, punishable by death. (Matt 26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!”)
The one hung on a tree was to be taken down before nightfall and buried. Nicodemus and Joseph did that to Jesus. (Matt 27:57-58 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea , named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.)
The one hung on a tree was under God’s curse. Jesus, the Son of God, was under God’s curse for the sin of the world—yours and mine. (Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.)
Now, does this inspire you? God sent his Son to the worst death on earth for the best life in Heaven. God killed His Son that you might live.
What will you do with this gift that cost God everything?
Pause and Consider: salvation, free to you, cost God everything.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 4, 3011 On Your Face
40 Days on Your Face
Read Deut 10-12
Deut 9:18 Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’s sight and so provoking him to anger.
WHEN I consider my prayer life, I have none contrasted to Moses’ passionate petitions for his people. Can you imagine being prostrate before the LORD for 40 days and nights? Lying on the ground praying with no food, no water, I couldn’t. I can’t imagine it. No way. Why would I want to do that?
Oh, wait a minute. What if my wife or my children were living lives opposed to God? What if God threatened to annihilate them? Would I then prostrate myself? For 40 days?
40 days. That’s how long it rained to wash the sin from the earth in the Great Flood (Gen 7). That’s how long Jesus battled the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4). 40 days of cleansing, 40 days of battle…the struggle is enormous, the struggle continues.
We must then, be prepared to wage war against the evil that threatens our lives and our loved ones’ lives.
Moses was on the ground for a people he originally wanted to run from. God had turned his heart to a great, sacrificial love for a people that consistently disobeyed their God. Yet, Moses didn’t give up on them, and God responded to his prayers. God blessed his people.
Who in your family needs your prayers? How do you respond? Is if for a minute? Is it once a day? Once a week? Once a year?
Or is it “prostrate for 40 days”?
Pause and Consider: prayer must consume us.
Read Deut 10-12
Deut 9:18 Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’s sight and so provoking him to anger.
WHEN I consider my prayer life, I have none contrasted to Moses’ passionate petitions for his people. Can you imagine being prostrate before the LORD for 40 days and nights? Lying on the ground praying with no food, no water, I couldn’t. I can’t imagine it. No way. Why would I want to do that?
Oh, wait a minute. What if my wife or my children were living lives opposed to God? What if God threatened to annihilate them? Would I then prostrate myself? For 40 days?
40 days. That’s how long it rained to wash the sin from the earth in the Great Flood (Gen 7). That’s how long Jesus battled the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4). 40 days of cleansing, 40 days of battle…the struggle is enormous, the struggle continues.
We must then, be prepared to wage war against the evil that threatens our lives and our loved ones’ lives.
Moses was on the ground for a people he originally wanted to run from. God had turned his heart to a great, sacrificial love for a people that consistently disobeyed their God. Yet, Moses didn’t give up on them, and God responded to his prayers. God blessed his people.
Who in your family needs your prayers? How do you respond? Is if for a minute? Is it once a day? Once a week? Once a year?
Or is it “prostrate for 40 days”?
Pause and Consider: prayer must consume us.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 3, 2011 Called Heavenward
Called Heavenward
Read Deuteronomy 4-6
Deut 4:33-34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
I HAD a difficult time deciding on what to write. This chapter is loaded with honor and worship to God. Read verses 26-28 and you will see a picture of the Exile to happen about 1,000 years later. Read of the promises from God through Moses to care for his people. And contemplate the power of these 2 verses above. Who is God?
Who is God, indeed. Do you really want to know? Then look back over the eons and see LORD JEHOVAH act to make a nation out of all the other nations.
Look and you will see a people called from slavery and from the iron furnaces of Egypt into a land of plenty and peace. They are a nation called to a heavenly purpose. That purpose is for you.
Yes, look and see the LORD JEHOVAH, the provider, choose a nomad and make him the father of a powerful, world-changing nation. He did so to choose you to be a member of the most powerful organization in the world—the Kingdom of God. You are called heavenward because God has called you to him!
Oh, what a blessing! Trust the God who has called you heavenward. Celebrate and rejoice!
Pause and Consider: following God, you are bound for Heaven.
Read Deuteronomy 4-6
Deut 4:33-34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
I HAD a difficult time deciding on what to write. This chapter is loaded with honor and worship to God. Read verses 26-28 and you will see a picture of the Exile to happen about 1,000 years later. Read of the promises from God through Moses to care for his people. And contemplate the power of these 2 verses above. Who is God?
Who is God, indeed. Do you really want to know? Then look back over the eons and see LORD JEHOVAH act to make a nation out of all the other nations.
Look and you will see a people called from slavery and from the iron furnaces of Egypt into a land of plenty and peace. They are a nation called to a heavenly purpose. That purpose is for you.
Yes, look and see the LORD JEHOVAH, the provider, choose a nomad and make him the father of a powerful, world-changing nation. He did so to choose you to be a member of the most powerful organization in the world—the Kingdom of God. You are called heavenward because God has called you to him!
Oh, what a blessing! Trust the God who has called you heavenward. Celebrate and rejoice!
Pause and Consider: following God, you are bound for Heaven.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March 2, 2011 Release Fear
Release Fear
Read Deuteronomy 2-3
Deut 3:21-22 At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. 22 Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”
THE 40 years between Egypt and the Promised Land was not all about the desert. God gave the Hebrews towns to live in and pasture for their livestock. It was better than the desert, but it wasn’t the best God had promised, “a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex 3:8).
Then the Hebrews came into the land to the east and south of the Jordan River to get a picture of what God would do for them. They had to settle in and put their fears aside as they followed God into a new territory.
Yes, before they conquered the land, they had to conquer fear. Fear had kept them from God’s promise for 40 years. Fear imprisoned them in a place less than God had promised. Fear does that.
Then Jesus came to release the fear. He demonstrated living in the Spirit free of fear and conquering the forces that bind us.
When I settle into the land of God’s Word and prayer, I am reminded, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) I feel the Father’s strength through his Son and his Spirit. And I am prepared to enter into the spiritual Promised Land of peace with Jesus.
Pause and Consider: it is good to release fear and to trust God.
Read Deuteronomy 2-3
Deut 3:21-22 At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. 22 Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”
THE 40 years between Egypt and the Promised Land was not all about the desert. God gave the Hebrews towns to live in and pasture for their livestock. It was better than the desert, but it wasn’t the best God had promised, “a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex 3:8).
Then the Hebrews came into the land to the east and south of the Jordan River to get a picture of what God would do for them. They had to settle in and put their fears aside as they followed God into a new territory.
Yes, before they conquered the land, they had to conquer fear. Fear had kept them from God’s promise for 40 years. Fear imprisoned them in a place less than God had promised. Fear does that.
Then Jesus came to release the fear. He demonstrated living in the Spirit free of fear and conquering the forces that bind us.
When I settle into the land of God’s Word and prayer, I am reminded, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) I feel the Father’s strength through his Son and his Spirit. And I am prepared to enter into the spiritual Promised Land of peace with Jesus.
Pause and Consider: it is good to release fear and to trust God.
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