Today’s Reading: Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14; Acts 17
Scripture: Acts 17:24-27
24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."
Observation: I love Paul's speech to the Areopagus in Athens. He succinctly gives a summary of God's nature and His relationship to mankind. I especially like verse 27 which gives the purpose for nations and boundaries: "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him..." Everything that God does for people is to draw them closer to Himself. What a good God we serve! And the next phrase makes God's accessibility clear: "...though he is not far from each one of us."
Application: Draw close to God. He is willing and waiting. If there is any distance between myself and God, it's not God's fault. It is because of some drawing away of myself from Him.
Prayer: Lord, I want to draw near to You. I want to be close to You -- intimately close -- passionately close. Help me to lay aside anything that draws me away from You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Title: Prison Praises / Topic: What To Do In Times Of Trouble
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 10; Leviticus 11; Leviticus 12; Acts 16
Scripture: Acts 16:25-30
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Observation: I just love this familiar story about Paul and Silas singing hymns in the dungeon.
Application: It is a powerful reminder that no matter what the difficulty may by, praising God is a great thing to do, and may even bring about your deliverance as well as lead others to Jesus.
Prayer: Thank You Lord, that You are always up for some good singing. Thank You that You often send help when we worship You. You are great.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 16:25-30
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Observation: I just love this familiar story about Paul and Silas singing hymns in the dungeon.
Application: It is a powerful reminder that no matter what the difficulty may by, praising God is a great thing to do, and may even bring about your deliverance as well as lead others to Jesus.
Prayer: Thank You Lord, that You are always up for some good singing. Thank You that You often send help when we worship You. You are great.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Title: Just This One More Thing... / Topic: Legalism
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 7; Leviticus 8; Leviticus 9; Acts 15
Scripture: Acts 15:1-2
1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them...
Observation: The early church was growing and spreading. Gentiles had been added to the church's first converts who were all Jews. Here, teachers arrive with a "new" message: "Jesus is great but you need just this one more thing: You need the Law..." Paul and Barnabas wisely would have none of it.
Application: There will always be legalism in religion. We humans like to make lists to define things. We all do it. And the church is no exception. And when you make a list, you compare it to the lists of others to see how they measure up (you know, to your correct list). And there are some people who just love to make long lists and then lay them on other people. Just do this and this and this and this and...
Bottom line: God gave us several lists. We find them in the Bible. One has ten items. Jesus boiled it down to two. Anything not in the Bible is somebody else's idea. They can have it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep it simple. I don't want to add a thing to what You want from Your people. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 15:1-2
1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them...
Observation: The early church was growing and spreading. Gentiles had been added to the church's first converts who were all Jews. Here, teachers arrive with a "new" message: "Jesus is great but you need just this one more thing: You need the Law..." Paul and Barnabas wisely would have none of it.
Application: There will always be legalism in religion. We humans like to make lists to define things. We all do it. And the church is no exception. And when you make a list, you compare it to the lists of others to see how they measure up (you know, to your correct list). And there are some people who just love to make long lists and then lay them on other people. Just do this and this and this and this and...
Bottom line: God gave us several lists. We find them in the Bible. One has ten items. Jesus boiled it down to two. Anything not in the Bible is somebody else's idea. They can have it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep it simple. I don't want to add a thing to what You want from Your people. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Title: Interesting Slogan / Topic: Leadership
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 4; Leviticus 5; Leviticus 6; Acts 14
Scripture: Acts 14:21-23
21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Observation: This is the end of Paul's first missionary journey. After reaching their furthest point, they retrace their steps and set up some structure in the churches they started. Notice their recruiting slogan: "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." I think it's not the way we would do it.
Application: Leadership requires toughness -- that is tough people -- people who can take a hit or two and keep going. Paul understood this and gave the clear message: Leadership involves hardship. The Lord, like Paul, is looking for people who are willing to lay their lives on the line and endure hardship and discomfort to fulfill the call.
Prayer: Lord, send us some more leaders -- sturdy ones, Lord. Help us to lay out the challenge and not sugar coat it. And multiply our efforts to raise up leaders and build Your work.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 14:21-23
21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Observation: This is the end of Paul's first missionary journey. After reaching their furthest point, they retrace their steps and set up some structure in the churches they started. Notice their recruiting slogan: "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." I think it's not the way we would do it.
Application: Leadership requires toughness -- that is tough people -- people who can take a hit or two and keep going. Paul understood this and gave the clear message: Leadership involves hardship. The Lord, like Paul, is looking for people who are willing to lay their lives on the line and endure hardship and discomfort to fulfill the call.
Prayer: Lord, send us some more leaders -- sturdy ones, Lord. Help us to lay out the challenge and not sugar coat it. And multiply our efforts to raise up leaders and build Your work.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Title: Exacting Demands / Topic: Offerings And Worship
Note: This post was delayed because of illness.
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3; Acts 13
Scripture: Leviticus 1:1-4
1 The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
3 " 'If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD. 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
Observation: As I read through the first three chapters of Leviticus I was struck with the exacting demands that the Lord gives. An amazing amount of detail is prescribed with such words as, "he is to...", "he must..", "he shall...", etc. The way that offerings are to be made is spelled out with such great specificity that no one bringing a sacrifice would be tempted think about it in a casual or nonchalant way. God knows what He wants and He spells it out clearly.
Application: I have an affinity for relaxed and casual worship styles (although I have and can enjoy everything from high church hymn singing to black gospel). But the expectations of God as given in Leviticus are anything but relaxed or casual. They are exacting. I guess I am wondering if I need to rethink my approach to worship. Perhaps I have communicated such a relaxed style that it has appeared lax and has given the idea that the expectations of God are little or none. I think that God wants us to come before Him with joy, but not with sloppiness or and "anything goes" kind of attitude.
Bottom Line: The worship of God is serious business. People have died for doing it wrong! I need to approach it with thought and purpose.
Prayer: Lord, I want to please You with the way I worship You. I want to come into Your presence with great rejoicing for You are worthy of that. But I want to also come with intensity and purposefulness -- because You are also worthy of that. Help me find the right approach.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Title: The Hard-To-Keep Promise / Topic: God's Values
Today’s Reading: Exodus 39; Exodus 40; Psalm 15; Acts 12
Scripture: Psalm 15:4
...who keeps his oath
even when it hurts...
Observation: This is one part of the description of a blameless person, that is a person whom God can accept. I like this part because it talks about the value of keeping your word. When I make a promise, I must keep it, even if the situation has changed and it is not easy to keep it.
Application: I think that today people don't make keeping their word much of a priority. Lots of things are said with no intent to follow through and if the intent is there but things change, no big deal. With the believer, it must be different. We must speak carefully and keep our word, no matter what.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a man whose word is my bond and whose word is reliable. May I keep all my promises. Help me to honor You with the words I speak and the way I follow them up.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 15:4
...who keeps his oath
even when it hurts...
Observation: This is one part of the description of a blameless person, that is a person whom God can accept. I like this part because it talks about the value of keeping your word. When I make a promise, I must keep it, even if the situation has changed and it is not easy to keep it.
Application: I think that today people don't make keeping their word much of a priority. Lots of things are said with no intent to follow through and if the intent is there but things change, no big deal. With the believer, it must be different. We must speak carefully and keep our word, no matter what.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a man whose word is my bond and whose word is reliable. May I keep all my promises. Help me to honor You with the words I speak and the way I follow them up.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Title: Irrefutable Witnesses / Topic: Faith
Today’s Reading: Exodus 37; Exodus 38; Psalm 19; Acts 11
Scripture: Psalm 19:1-4
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Observation: No one can truly claim that they have been given no opportunity to gain an awareness of God. The created world gives constant testimony of the Creator. There are many who call themselves athiests or agnostics -- athiests believing there is no supreme being and agnostics believing that belief in God is impossible -- one just cannot be sure about this.
Application: I just appreciate that God uses many ways to let people know that He is there. I believe that people who don't believe in God have made a choice to believe in a way that fits their desires and lifestyle. Ultimately, every person will stand before God and give an answer for what they believed and how they lived. Those who didn't believe in Him will have to try to explain how they found it possible to disregard the irrefutable and obvious witness of nature.
Prayer: Thanks Lord for giving many ways and means for us to know of You and to know You. I'm glad You drew me into faith with You. May I help to lead others to faith.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 19:1-4
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Observation: No one can truly claim that they have been given no opportunity to gain an awareness of God. The created world gives constant testimony of the Creator. There are many who call themselves athiests or agnostics -- athiests believing there is no supreme being and agnostics believing that belief in God is impossible -- one just cannot be sure about this.
Application: I just appreciate that God uses many ways to let people know that He is there. I believe that people who don't believe in God have made a choice to believe in a way that fits their desires and lifestyle. Ultimately, every person will stand before God and give an answer for what they believed and how they lived. Those who didn't believe in Him will have to try to explain how they found it possible to disregard the irrefutable and obvious witness of nature.
Prayer: Thanks Lord for giving many ways and means for us to know of You and to know You. I'm glad You drew me into faith with You. May I help to lead others to faith.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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