Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1
Scripture: 1 Kings 6:11-13
11 The word of the LORD came to Solomon: 12 "As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. 13 And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel."
Observation: God's promise to Solomon contains the word "if" and that word is very important. It means that the reward will only come provided the conditions are met. God says, "If you do this... then I will do that..."
Application: We tend to focus on God's unconditional grace and His unlimited love. This is all well and good but such an emphasis can miss another part of God's dealings with humankind. I'm referring to God's conditional promises. God, very often, places conditions on our receiving of what was promised. If we meet the condition, we receive the benefit. If we don't meet the condition, we don't get the benefit.
There are many promises of God like this. But I hardly ever hear anyone talk about them. For example, the promise "my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" was quoted to me as a child and I even memorized it. But it was never taught to me as one of God's conditional promises. I see now that the context indicates that it is conditional. Why? Because this was the only church that had participated with Paul "in giving and receiving" and this was the only church to which Paul made this promise. (Read it in context here.)
Bottom line: God's benefits are only given fully to those who fully follow Him. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can get all the benefits of God with a halfhearted commitment. Let's live full on for God and get the best of what He has to give.
Prayer: Lord, we want to live for You fully. Help us to put an end to half-measures and to give You our all. We want to be the recipients of all Your great promises. We know that we can never earn or deserve Your great gift of salvation, but having now received it, help us to live worthy of what You have given us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Title: Blameless Living / Topic: Godliness
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3
Scripture: Psalm 101:2-4
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil.
Observation: It is a high standard that David shares here in this Psalm. "I will be careful to lead a blameless life..." He gives some clues to how to accomplish this. A blameless heart is the starting place. What a person looks at or watches is another key. Not approving or partaking of evil or perverse behavior is also important.
Application: Today, most people seem to be quite indulgent -- even those who call themselves Christians. The idea of a blameless life is not something most people concern themselves with. Most seem to want to not be "too bad" or to avoid the "worst sins." But what David says here is quite convicting. We should set our sights higher: on the goal of walking with blameless hearts. But it is not easy -- especially in today's over-stimulated media environment. It requires purposefulness in purity. I must remove myself from impure images. If I take this phrase seriously: "I will set before my eyes no vile thing," it means that most of what is on TV is unacceptable. It requires significant discipline to limit my intake of garbage. ("Limit" is not the right word -- the word is "eliminate"). As Paul wrote: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). It requires a separation of myself from evil to walk the blameless life.
Prayer: Lord, we want to walk in purity -- the find the blameless life. Help us to have the discipline and courage to put aside the pollution of this world and embrace your perfection. May we be shining as bright lights no matter how dark the universe around us gets.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 101:2-4
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil.
Observation: It is a high standard that David shares here in this Psalm. "I will be careful to lead a blameless life..." He gives some clues to how to accomplish this. A blameless heart is the starting place. What a person looks at or watches is another key. Not approving or partaking of evil or perverse behavior is also important.
Application: Today, most people seem to be quite indulgent -- even those who call themselves Christians. The idea of a blameless life is not something most people concern themselves with. Most seem to want to not be "too bad" or to avoid the "worst sins." But what David says here is quite convicting. We should set our sights higher: on the goal of walking with blameless hearts. But it is not easy -- especially in today's over-stimulated media environment. It requires purposefulness in purity. I must remove myself from impure images. If I take this phrase seriously: "I will set before my eyes no vile thing," it means that most of what is on TV is unacceptable. It requires significant discipline to limit my intake of garbage. ("Limit" is not the right word -- the word is "eliminate"). As Paul wrote: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). It requires a separation of myself from evil to walk the blameless life.
Prayer: Lord, we want to walk in purity -- the find the blameless life. Help us to have the discipline and courage to put aside the pollution of this world and embrace your perfection. May we be shining as bright lights no matter how dark the universe around us gets.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Title: Amazing Judge / Topic: God's Wise Justice
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2 Thessalonians 2
Scripture: 1 Kings 3:23-28
23 The king said, "This one says, 'My son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, 'No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.' "
24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."
26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!"
But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"
27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."
28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
Observation: What a wonderful story! At our Bible study just last night, I was sharing this story as an example of God's wise justice. Solomon's people saw an insolvable problem. There was no way to figure out which of the two women was the real mother of the one living child. But Solomon came up with an answer that no one had thought of: "cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other!" Yikes! Solomon's court staff were mortified! But the king asked for a sword, so a sword is brought. Solomon, paying close attention to both women's reactions, quickly points out the one person especially distraught at the suggestion and identifies her as the real mother. Everyone is amazed at the cleverness of this strategy that ferreted out the truth. How could anyone have thought of such an approach? All are in awe of Solomon and his wisdom -- so much so that the fame of Solomon's wisdom became spread throughout the known world.
Application: There will be a similar experience for us in the future. When the end of the age finally comes to pass, and the world stands before the Righteous Judge, we will see how God will determine the true heart condition of each person who ever lived. It will be obvious, as was the case of Solomon and the two women, but it will be so amazingly brilliant, so totally honorable, so incredibly just, that everyone watching will marvel at God's unfathomable wisdom and understanding. We will stand amazed in the presence of the Lord. As the scripture says: "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25) . Any righteous concept of justice that we have will be satisfied and then some. There will be no basis for appeal or argument, nor will there be any inclination to do so. Those who love the Lord will be inspired to greater admiration and praise of their Lord. Those who do not love the Lord will have no choice but to acknowledge God's grandeur and majesty and their opposition will be silenced. "...every knee shall bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:10-11) For me, I choose to bow now and I look forward to witnessing the amazing justice of our righteous Judge on that day.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have already formed the plan to administer full and complete justice at the end of this age. I honor You as the One who has both the total picture of what needs to be done as well as the means to bring about justice. Thank You that You are worthy of trust and faith, and that Your nature is holy, righteous, kind, and good, and that when we behold You, we shall be caught up in Your glory and majesty. May we hold on faithfully until that day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Kings 3:23-28
23 The king said, "This one says, 'My son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, 'No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.' "
24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."
26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!"
But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"
27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."
28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
Observation: What a wonderful story! At our Bible study just last night, I was sharing this story as an example of God's wise justice. Solomon's people saw an insolvable problem. There was no way to figure out which of the two women was the real mother of the one living child. But Solomon came up with an answer that no one had thought of: "cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other!" Yikes! Solomon's court staff were mortified! But the king asked for a sword, so a sword is brought. Solomon, paying close attention to both women's reactions, quickly points out the one person especially distraught at the suggestion and identifies her as the real mother. Everyone is amazed at the cleverness of this strategy that ferreted out the truth. How could anyone have thought of such an approach? All are in awe of Solomon and his wisdom -- so much so that the fame of Solomon's wisdom became spread throughout the known world.
Application: There will be a similar experience for us in the future. When the end of the age finally comes to pass, and the world stands before the Righteous Judge, we will see how God will determine the true heart condition of each person who ever lived. It will be obvious, as was the case of Solomon and the two women, but it will be so amazingly brilliant, so totally honorable, so incredibly just, that everyone watching will marvel at God's unfathomable wisdom and understanding. We will stand amazed in the presence of the Lord. As the scripture says: "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25) . Any righteous concept of justice that we have will be satisfied and then some. There will be no basis for appeal or argument, nor will there be any inclination to do so. Those who love the Lord will be inspired to greater admiration and praise of their Lord. Those who do not love the Lord will have no choice but to acknowledge God's grandeur and majesty and their opposition will be silenced. "...every knee shall bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:10-11) For me, I choose to bow now and I look forward to witnessing the amazing justice of our righteous Judge on that day.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have already formed the plan to administer full and complete justice at the end of this age. I honor You as the One who has both the total picture of what needs to be done as well as the means to bring about justice. Thank You that You are worthy of trust and faith, and that Your nature is holy, righteous, kind, and good, and that when we behold You, we shall be caught up in Your glory and majesty. May we hold on faithfully until that day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Title: Know Your Place / Topic: Knowing God
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1
Scripture: Psalm 95:3-7
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Observation: God is great! He is awesome and the credentials He has are His great creation: "the depths of the earth," "the mountain peaks," "the sea," and "the dry land." Why? "for He made it." It is a critical point of worship to acknowledge God as Creator. (One of the primary reasons that fallen humanity so readily accepts the "theory of evolution" is to not have to acknowledge God as Creator.) When we know Him as Creator, it leads us to the point of worship: "let us bow down," "let us kneel." It is an inescapable conclusion because...
Application: There is an Almighty God and I am not Him. When I know Him by seeing His power and might in creation, I am compelled to humble myself. I know my place and it is to bow before Him. This is the fundamental issue of knowing God. I submit and surrender to Him. There are those who want to know God without bowing to Him. I believe that they are pursuing a fruitless path. Unless and until I know my place in submission to the Almighty, He cannot allow me to enter into any place of close relationship to Him.
Prayer: Lord, help me to approach You appropriately: humbly, respectfully, reverently. Thank You that You have made a way for me to know You as my Lord, my God, and (amazingly) my Friend. May I honor You in my life -- everything I think, do, and say.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 95:3-7
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Observation: God is great! He is awesome and the credentials He has are His great creation: "the depths of the earth," "the mountain peaks," "the sea," and "the dry land." Why? "for He made it." It is a critical point of worship to acknowledge God as Creator. (One of the primary reasons that fallen humanity so readily accepts the "theory of evolution" is to not have to acknowledge God as Creator.) When we know Him as Creator, it leads us to the point of worship: "let us bow down," "let us kneel." It is an inescapable conclusion because...
Application: There is an Almighty God and I am not Him. When I know Him by seeing His power and might in creation, I am compelled to humble myself. I know my place and it is to bow before Him. This is the fundamental issue of knowing God. I submit and surrender to Him. There are those who want to know God without bowing to Him. I believe that they are pursuing a fruitless path. Unless and until I know my place in submission to the Almighty, He cannot allow me to enter into any place of close relationship to Him.
Prayer: Lord, help me to approach You appropriately: humbly, respectfully, reverently. Thank You that You have made a way for me to know You as my Lord, my God, and (amazingly) my Friend. May I honor You in my life -- everything I think, do, and say.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Title: The Longing / Topic: Resting In The Lord
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5
Scripture: Psalm 91:1-2
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Observation: This is where I want to be: dwelling in the shelter, resting in the shadow of my Lord. It is a place of safety and protection -- a sanctuary of rest and peace. How wonderful that place is. And (seemingly) how hard to find.
Application: What I mean is this: the life I live is filled with demanding details and a multitude of distractions. The idea of a place of real rest, real peace, is illusive. I know that I have "peace with God" as Paul wrote about, but the "peace of God" is harder to achieve. I think that the key is in the resting and trusting in the Lord. As Jesus said to Martha, "Martha, Martha... you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." And I don't think it involves more effort on my part.
Prayer: Lord, show me how to arrive at this place of peace, rest, and quietness with You. My life is full of trivialities and busy-ness -- I need to unpack so that I can make room for You. Help me Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 91:1-2
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Observation: This is where I want to be: dwelling in the shelter, resting in the shadow of my Lord. It is a place of safety and protection -- a sanctuary of rest and peace. How wonderful that place is. And (seemingly) how hard to find.
Application: What I mean is this: the life I live is filled with demanding details and a multitude of distractions. The idea of a place of real rest, real peace, is illusive. I know that I have "peace with God" as Paul wrote about, but the "peace of God" is harder to achieve. I think that the key is in the resting and trusting in the Lord. As Jesus said to Martha, "Martha, Martha... you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." And I don't think it involves more effort on my part.
Prayer: Lord, show me how to arrive at this place of peace, rest, and quietness with You. My life is full of trivialities and busy-ness -- I need to unpack so that I can make room for You. Help me Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Title: Living To Go / Topic: The Last Resurrection
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Observation: Jesus is coming again! What great comfort these words bring: "the Lord himself will come down from heaven." Jesus is not going to send an angel. He is the One who is coming. When it is finally time to wrap things up here on this planet it is Jesus who will be doing the job. What will be the loud command? Maybe it is the Lord's voice calling each one who has died by name from the grave. Like Jesus did before, "Lazarus, come forth!" But this time He will miraculously and powerfully call everyone at the same time: "Y'all, come forth!" (Maybe the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call are the wake up call for those who are particularly hard sleepers!) Then all the dead in Christ will rise up out of their graves. Next, the living believers are "caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Wow! What will that be like? I can imagine just going about my day -- then hearing an amazing and wonderful sound -- then zoom -- I'm going up into the sky! It sounds fanciful but it will happen. And when it does, it will be so wonderful. What a way to go!
Application: Live to go. We should keep it in mind that we will be departing this planet, maybe soon. It's a simple truth that will help us to take the hits of this life with a more joyful response. This place and the stuff associated with it is not my destiny. I'm going up! Remembering this will help me to keep looking up and living up to God's ways.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are coming again. Thank You that this promise is real and settled and that we can live in the assurance and joy that You will call us up to the clouds to be with You. May we live up to that level. Marantha, come quickly Lord Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Observation: Jesus is coming again! What great comfort these words bring: "the Lord himself will come down from heaven." Jesus is not going to send an angel. He is the One who is coming. When it is finally time to wrap things up here on this planet it is Jesus who will be doing the job. What will be the loud command? Maybe it is the Lord's voice calling each one who has died by name from the grave. Like Jesus did before, "Lazarus, come forth!" But this time He will miraculously and powerfully call everyone at the same time: "Y'all, come forth!" (Maybe the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call are the wake up call for those who are particularly hard sleepers!) Then all the dead in Christ will rise up out of their graves. Next, the living believers are "caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Wow! What will that be like? I can imagine just going about my day -- then hearing an amazing and wonderful sound -- then zoom -- I'm going up into the sky! It sounds fanciful but it will happen. And when it does, it will be so wonderful. What a way to go!
Application: Live to go. We should keep it in mind that we will be departing this planet, maybe soon. It's a simple truth that will help us to take the hits of this life with a more joyful response. This place and the stuff associated with it is not my destiny. I'm going up! Remembering this will help me to keep looking up and living up to God's ways.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are coming again. Thank You that this promise is real and settled and that we can live in the assurance and joy that You will call us up to the clouds to be with You. May we live up to that level. Marantha, come quickly Lord Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Title: The Warrior Is A Worrier / Topic: Being Human
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
Observation: I love Paul's humanness here. I think of Paul as a great man of faith but here he is really stressing about the Thessalonians. I can totally relate to the phrase, "when I could stand it no longer," because there is a burden that a pastor bears for the well-being of his people. Sometimes it consumes you. Paul really cares about them and he is worried.
Application: I'd like to bring out two main points here:
First, worry isn't good but everyone does it. Paul is freaking out so he takes radical action to find out for himself. He sends Timothy to check it out and report back. I know that I worry about things and I feel bad about worrying. But the fact that Paul worried also gives me encouragement.
Second, the Thessalonians would no doubt have communicated to Paul had they known that he was worried about them. I think that all of us affect on our spiritual leaders with a far greater impact than we know. We should be sure that we communicate well with those who look after us spiritually so that they will have no need to wonder (and worry).
Prayer: Lord, thank You for this awesome example of our brother Paul. I am so glad that he shared his human weakness openly so we could relate to what he was going through. Help us to embrace our humanness and allow Your mighty Lordship make up for what we lack. May Your strength be given opportunity to be expressed through our weaknesses.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
Observation: I love Paul's humanness here. I think of Paul as a great man of faith but here he is really stressing about the Thessalonians. I can totally relate to the phrase, "when I could stand it no longer," because there is a burden that a pastor bears for the well-being of his people. Sometimes it consumes you. Paul really cares about them and he is worried.
Application: I'd like to bring out two main points here:
First, worry isn't good but everyone does it. Paul is freaking out so he takes radical action to find out for himself. He sends Timothy to check it out and report back. I know that I worry about things and I feel bad about worrying. But the fact that Paul worried also gives me encouragement.
Second, the Thessalonians would no doubt have communicated to Paul had they known that he was worried about them. I think that all of us affect on our spiritual leaders with a far greater impact than we know. We should be sure that we communicate well with those who look after us spiritually so that they will have no need to wonder (and worry).
Prayer: Lord, thank You for this awesome example of our brother Paul. I am so glad that he shared his human weakness openly so we could relate to what he was going through. Help us to embrace our humanness and allow Your mighty Lordship make up for what we lack. May Your strength be given opportunity to be expressed through our weaknesses.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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