Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 4; 1 Samuel 5; Psalm 77; 2 Corinthians 8
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:3-10
3 …Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Observation: Samuel is a faithful young man with a pure heart and a desire to serve the Lord. But though he had a good heart, he did not have a personal relationship with God. All that he had learned about God was through Eli. His was a second-hand experience with God. He knew about God but he did not know God. Now the Lord want to change that and He speaks directly to Samuel for the first time. But Samuel does not recognize God's voice. Verse 7 is the key: "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him." Apparently he doesn't even know that God can speak directly to him. Because of this, he mistakes God's voice for the voice of Eli. It takes three tries, but Eli finally gets a clue and tells Samuel that this is the voice of God and instructs him how to respond.
Application: We have a job to do. There are people all around us that God wants to speak to. And likely He has already been speaking to them. But they don't know it's Him. These people can be in our family, among our friends, or just those we meet by "chance." But they have been hearing from God and don't know it. And we may not have picked up on it. I think that God is communicating with far more people than we can imagine. But just as Samuel needed Eli to give him the understanding of Who it was speaking to him and how to respond, they need you and me to help them gain a context so they can get the message. And it is imperative that they get the message because that is the prerequisite to their personal connection and ongoing relationship with God.
Prayer: Lord, help us to pay attention to those around us to give them thoughts that direct their attention to You and Your words. May we be more alert than Eli to recognize the times you are speaking to those around us and help them to hear and respond to You. Thank You for Your graciousness in reaching out to every person who needs Your voice.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Friday, April 07, 2006
Title: Save Our Children / Topic: Parenting
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7
Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12 Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.
Observation: It's tragic. The sons of Eli, the high priest, are described as "wicked men" meaning "they had no regard for the LORD." (The eventual result of their attitudes and actions was their youthful deaths.) How is it that the sons of the high priest have come to the point of such dark and ugly hearts toward God? I expect that Eli was a reasonably good father and maintained a consistent faith before his sons. He faithfully carried out his office year after year. He made sure his boys were at the festivals and solemn assemblies. Where did it all go so wrong?
Application: I don't have a good answer for Eli's tragedy. But I do know that this story underscores certain truths. First, that we have a huge responsibility for our kids. Second, that there is an enemy with evil designs toward them. And from these emanates a third truth: we need to be very alert and intentional about how we communicate God to our children. We need to work each day to speak God into their lives.
And it can't be just talk. Our lives must speak to them of God's importance in who we are.
But it also cannot be unspoken. Words are required: lots of words, frequent words, serious words, fun words, words of encouragement, words of correction, words of praise, words of honesty, words of hope, words of confession. The combining of Godly words, actions, and most of all love, are what we need to give to our children as much as we can. Don't leave it to chance. Make it happen today.
Prayer: Lord, help us to lead our children to You. We want to see our children in authentic relationship with You as they grow. Give us wisdom, determination, and wisdom to do the job that needs to be done to provide them with the best possible opportunity to make You the center of their lives. And place Your protection around each one to keep the enemy of their souls from having access. We thank You for our children and ask You to help us to do everything possible so we can see them serving You with all of their hearts.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12 Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.
Observation: It's tragic. The sons of Eli, the high priest, are described as "wicked men" meaning "they had no regard for the LORD." (The eventual result of their attitudes and actions was their youthful deaths.) How is it that the sons of the high priest have come to the point of such dark and ugly hearts toward God? I expect that Eli was a reasonably good father and maintained a consistent faith before his sons. He faithfully carried out his office year after year. He made sure his boys were at the festivals and solemn assemblies. Where did it all go so wrong?
Application: I don't have a good answer for Eli's tragedy. But I do know that this story underscores certain truths. First, that we have a huge responsibility for our kids. Second, that there is an enemy with evil designs toward them. And from these emanates a third truth: we need to be very alert and intentional about how we communicate God to our children. We need to work each day to speak God into their lives.
And it can't be just talk. Our lives must speak to them of God's importance in who we are.
But it also cannot be unspoken. Words are required: lots of words, frequent words, serious words, fun words, words of encouragement, words of correction, words of praise, words of honesty, words of hope, words of confession. The combining of Godly words, actions, and most of all love, are what we need to give to our children as much as we can. Don't leave it to chance. Make it happen today.
Prayer: Lord, help us to lead our children to You. We want to see our children in authentic relationship with You as they grow. Give us wisdom, determination, and wisdom to do the job that needs to be done to provide them with the best possible opportunity to make You the center of their lives. And place Your protection around each one to keep the enemy of their souls from having access. We thank You for our children and ask You to help us to do everything possible so we can see them serving You with all of their hearts.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Title: The Redeemer / Topic: Passion
Today's Reading: Ruth 3; Ruth 4; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 6
Scripture: Ruth 3:18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
Observation: This romance story should thrill every follower of God. I say that because I see a great parallel between Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth, and Jesus Christ, my redeemer. In Israel, there had developed this system of redemption for a widow. She could go to her a certain person within her clan who had the right to redeem her. She was to lay down at his feet and ask him to cover her with the corner of his mantel (his blanket or cloak). This was symbolic of her need to be cared for due to the fact that as a widow, she was exposed in many ways. If this relative, known as the kinsman-redeemer, covered her, she would come under his covering of care and become his wife. In this verse, Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz "will not rest until the matter is settled today." Boaz was drawn to Ruth. He was eager and determined to do everything he could to secure Ruth as his wife.
Application: I have a kinsman-redeemer named Jesus Christ and He, like Boaz, is passionately determined to take me as His own. How amazing it must have felt for Ruth, a foreigner, to think that this wealthy and respected man would really desire her as his wife. And it amazes and blesses me to know that Jesus, the Son of God, desires to have an intimate, personal love relationship with me. He does not rest until He secures His right to take me. To accomplish this cost Him greatly: His death on the cross was what was required to secure His position as my Redeemer. But He did not hesitate in the least. The passion of the Christ is the story of the Greatest Lover in the history of the world and His pursuit of those He loved by giving His own life to save them. I can forget how much Jesus loves me and the passion with which He pursued me. The story of Ruth reminds me.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for loving me so much. Thank You, Father, that Your Son so loved me that He gave His life to redeem me from myself, my brokenness, and from the fate of the self-directed life. Thank You for redemption and may I walk in the ever-present awareness and appreciation of Your passion for me. May it awaken my passion for You and arouse my desire to daily live in that passion and to bring others to a real and living relationship with the great Redeemer.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Scripture: Ruth 3:18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
Observation: This romance story should thrill every follower of God. I say that because I see a great parallel between Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth, and Jesus Christ, my redeemer. In Israel, there had developed this system of redemption for a widow. She could go to her a certain person within her clan who had the right to redeem her. She was to lay down at his feet and ask him to cover her with the corner of his mantel (his blanket or cloak). This was symbolic of her need to be cared for due to the fact that as a widow, she was exposed in many ways. If this relative, known as the kinsman-redeemer, covered her, she would come under his covering of care and become his wife. In this verse, Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz "will not rest until the matter is settled today." Boaz was drawn to Ruth. He was eager and determined to do everything he could to secure Ruth as his wife.
Application: I have a kinsman-redeemer named Jesus Christ and He, like Boaz, is passionately determined to take me as His own. How amazing it must have felt for Ruth, a foreigner, to think that this wealthy and respected man would really desire her as his wife. And it amazes and blesses me to know that Jesus, the Son of God, desires to have an intimate, personal love relationship with me. He does not rest until He secures His right to take me. To accomplish this cost Him greatly: His death on the cross was what was required to secure His position as my Redeemer. But He did not hesitate in the least. The passion of the Christ is the story of the Greatest Lover in the history of the world and His pursuit of those He loved by giving His own life to save them. I can forget how much Jesus loves me and the passion with which He pursued me. The story of Ruth reminds me.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for loving me so much. Thank You, Father, that Your Son so loved me that He gave His life to redeem me from myself, my brokenness, and from the fate of the self-directed life. Thank You for redemption and may I walk in the ever-present awareness and appreciation of Your passion for me. May it awaken my passion for You and arouse my desire to daily live in that passion and to bring others to a real and living relationship with the great Redeemer.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Title: Peace & Agreement / Topic: Reconciliation
Today's Reading: Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Psalm 53; Psalm 61; 2 Corinthians 5
[I love the beautiful story of Ruth. What relief after the brutal stories of Judges!]
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
…the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them…
Observation: Thank God. He provides a way that our sins are not counted against us. And through this way, called “the ministry of reconciliation” we are brought to a place where we are no longer in conflict with God. I think of reconciliation as the process of finding peace and agreement. Just like reconciling your checkbook brings your checkbook into agreement with the bank’s records. Through the ministry of reconciliation, my life is brought into agreement and peace with God’s way of doing things. And this is a gift of God. And what a great gift! Without it, there would be no end of striving and struggling. No end of stressing to try to figure out what is wrong, trying to compensate for my dysfunction and brokenness. But because of God’s generous and compassionate gift, I can live in peace with Him.
Application: Of course, a gift has two ends: it is given and received. God has given it, but we must receive it for it to make any difference. So the first application to my life is I must receive it! The second application is that I can live with the awareness of it or I can go on as a person who is still in conflict and disagreement with God. That is, I have to put it into my daily thought and awareness for it to do any good. How do I do that? Start my day by thanking God for this gift. Remind myself throughout the day that I live by this gift. Every day lived in a clear awareness of my happy harmony with God is a great day!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of reconciliation. May I live in and walk in that gift every moment of every day. And my I be one who You use to help others to receive this wonderful gift from You.This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Title: A Common Enemy / Topic: Compassion
Today's Reading: Judges 19; Judges 20; Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4
[Today's reading in Judges contains the worst of all the terrible stories in the Book of Judges. It does, however, reinforce the point I made in yesterday's journal. When people have no limits, moral confusion and the worst kind of evil can grow. Today, however, I am journaling from our New Testament reading.]
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Observation: We have an enemy. And it is not the people that don't accept or approve our religion. No, these people aren't bad, they are blind. And it is our enemy who has blinded them. We should not be surprised when people who don't see the light because they have been blinded act out in unsupportive or negative ways toward the things we stand for.
Application: So we have to look at those people differently. Unbelievers are not against us. They have someone against them. And it's not God -- it is satan. And because satan is against them, we need to be for them. For them with our hearts. For them with determination to portray Christ well to them. For them to give them every reason to welcome God into their lives by our interactions with them. If I will reach out positively and compassionately to those who push me away, I may be able to help dispel the darkness and help them to be open to the Lord. I need to remember that I have many things in common with these people. We have the same enemy (the devil), we have the same problem (sin), we have the same need (for transformation), we have the same One who died to bring that to us (Jesus).
Prayer: Lord, help me to look with Your love and compassion upon those who don't know You yet May I seek opportunities to bring Your light to all those around me who haven't seen the light of Your love. Help me to be a beacon of light, love, and warmth, even to those who do not seem so open to it. May You bring people to Your enlightement through me.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Monday, April 03, 2006
Title: Free & Wrong / Topic: Moral Confusion
Today's Reading: Judges 17; Judges 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3
Scripture: Judges 17:5-6 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
Observation: How bizarre! The book of Judges is full of weird stories. And the story of Micah is certainly one of them. This young man has stolen money from his mother, and when he finally confesses, she acts like he should get the Nobel Prize for honesty! She decides that her son deserves a special reward for being such a wonderful son so she has an idol made for him!?! Well, since he has a idol, he figures he needs a shrine, an ephod, and a priest! Makes perfect sense, right? So he sets all this up in his house. (This is so strange.) The big problem with all of this is that the Israelites were forbidden to worship idols in the first place. So the whole thing shows that they had departed from what God had told them. And in verse 6 we read a key to the whole situation. "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." In other words, it was a totally free society. Anybody could do anything. Sounds like a great environment, doesn't it? No rules, nobody to tell you what to do... Hmmm...
As you read through this story and the others in Judges, you can see what this kind of rule-free society produces. And it's not good. In fact, it gets pretty sick in a short time.
Application: We all need boundaries and limits to be healthy. Without them, our human brokenness is able to manifest in all sorts of disfunctional and destructive activity. The human condition is such that people need proper and appropriate laws and guidelines to keep from hurting each other. King David wrote, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." David understood that without the word of God, he would fall into words, actions, and attitudes that hurt himself and others. The story of Micah demonstrates the confusion and danger that results from every person just following their conscience, which is what "everyone did as he saw fit" means.
Personal application: I need leadership and limits to stay on a path of wellness and growth. If every person just does his own thing, our church, or community, our lives would be in confusion. We must submit to God and to other human authority if we are to experience healthy and productive living. It is not easy to live in submission to God-given authority, but it is an absolute requirement if I am to follow the Lord and live for Him. And our society is in trouble if "freedom" begins to mean "lawlessness" or "morally free".
Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace the limits that You put on our lives. May we live in the understanding that You provide a place for us to thrive and when we move outside of Your provision, we move into places and situations that threaten our well-being in every way. May we, first of all, settle the issue that You are in charge, and then follow You fully, including fully following those whom You have placed in authority in our lives. It's not enough to do what we think is right, may we do what You tell us is right. May we follow You.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture: Judges 17:5-6 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
Observation: How bizarre! The book of Judges is full of weird stories. And the story of Micah is certainly one of them. This young man has stolen money from his mother, and when he finally confesses, she acts like he should get the Nobel Prize for honesty! She decides that her son deserves a special reward for being such a wonderful son so she has an idol made for him!?! Well, since he has a idol, he figures he needs a shrine, an ephod, and a priest! Makes perfect sense, right? So he sets all this up in his house. (This is so strange.) The big problem with all of this is that the Israelites were forbidden to worship idols in the first place. So the whole thing shows that they had departed from what God had told them. And in verse 6 we read a key to the whole situation. "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." In other words, it was a totally free society. Anybody could do anything. Sounds like a great environment, doesn't it? No rules, nobody to tell you what to do... Hmmm...
As you read through this story and the others in Judges, you can see what this kind of rule-free society produces. And it's not good. In fact, it gets pretty sick in a short time.
Application: We all need boundaries and limits to be healthy. Without them, our human brokenness is able to manifest in all sorts of disfunctional and destructive activity. The human condition is such that people need proper and appropriate laws and guidelines to keep from hurting each other. King David wrote, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." David understood that without the word of God, he would fall into words, actions, and attitudes that hurt himself and others. The story of Micah demonstrates the confusion and danger that results from every person just following their conscience, which is what "everyone did as he saw fit" means.
Personal application: I need leadership and limits to stay on a path of wellness and growth. If every person just does his own thing, our church, or community, our lives would be in confusion. We must submit to God and to other human authority if we are to experience healthy and productive living. It is not easy to live in submission to God-given authority, but it is an absolute requirement if I am to follow the Lord and live for Him. And our society is in trouble if "freedom" begins to mean "lawlessness" or "morally free".
Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace the limits that You put on our lives. May we live in the understanding that You provide a place for us to thrive and when we move outside of Your provision, we move into places and situations that threaten our well-being in every way. May we, first of all, settle the issue that You are in charge, and then follow You fully, including fully following those whom You have placed in authority in our lives. It's not enough to do what we think is right, may we do what You tell us is right. May we follow You.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Title: The Smelly Parade / Topic: Testimony
Today’s Reading: Judges 13; Judges 14; Judges 15; Judges 16; 2 Corinthians 2
[The story of Samson in Judges is a study of a man with very human failings. He had two prevailing problems: lust and temper. His life story is a tragedy brought about by these problems and the fact that he let them control him. But today I am journaling from 2 Corinthians.]
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…
Observation: Paul is joyfully reacting to finding Titus in Macedonia. But the truth he shares is universal. Here is the idea: God is leading a kind of victory parade and we are a part of it. Like the Rose Parade, there is a definite fragrance that is apparent to everyone. But while everyone smells it, not everybody likes it. Some, the ones “being saved,” think it is wonderful, while others, “those who are perishing,” think it stinks!
Application: As we are lead by God, our lives are to project a noticeable something that people cannot miss. It either draws them to Jesus or causes them to be repelled and push away. But our lives should never be neutral. We are not to blend in with the cultural stream. Your life and my life ought to cause other people to choose a side. Not because of some quirk or strange behavior but by the pervasive beauty of the Spirit of God lived out in our everyday lives. We are to be divinely different. Not everyone will like us, but our lives should make it difficult for people to be indifferent not just to us, but to our Lord.
Prayer: Lord, deepen our passion and dedication to You so that we stand out from the crowd. May we so dramatically reflect Your character that others cannot help but notice a difference in our lives. And may that difference draw people to that moment of decision with You. Give us souls, Lord. Make our lives a victory parade that no one can ignore.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
[The story of Samson in Judges is a study of a man with very human failings. He had two prevailing problems: lust and temper. His life story is a tragedy brought about by these problems and the fact that he let them control him. But today I am journaling from 2 Corinthians.]
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…
Observation: Paul is joyfully reacting to finding Titus in Macedonia. But the truth he shares is universal. Here is the idea: God is leading a kind of victory parade and we are a part of it. Like the Rose Parade, there is a definite fragrance that is apparent to everyone. But while everyone smells it, not everybody likes it. Some, the ones “being saved,” think it is wonderful, while others, “those who are perishing,” think it stinks!
Application: As we are lead by God, our lives are to project a noticeable something that people cannot miss. It either draws them to Jesus or causes them to be repelled and push away. But our lives should never be neutral. We are not to blend in with the cultural stream. Your life and my life ought to cause other people to choose a side. Not because of some quirk or strange behavior but by the pervasive beauty of the Spirit of God lived out in our everyday lives. We are to be divinely different. Not everyone will like us, but our lives should make it difficult for people to be indifferent not just to us, but to our Lord.
Prayer: Lord, deepen our passion and dedication to You so that we stand out from the crowd. May we so dramatically reflect Your character that others cannot help but notice a difference in our lives. And may that difference draw people to that moment of decision with You. Give us souls, Lord. Make our lives a victory parade that no one can ignore.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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