Saturday, March 17, 2007

Title: The Beautiful Place / Topic: Intimacy

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32; Deuteronomy 33; Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2 (New International Version)

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:12 About Benjamin he said:
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders."

Observation: I love this blessing from Moses for the tribe of Benjamin. The truth of intimacy with the Lord which produces a security and restfulness and protection. I particularly am drawn to the last phrase: "the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders." This reminds me of holding a little child in my arms as he lays his head on my chest. This is a beautiful picture of safety and contentment which we can find in a childlike dependence on our dear heavenly Father.

Application: Rest in the Lord. Find places of solitude to enjoy such times with God.

Prayer: Lord, it is my stated desire to find times of close intimacy with You. However, I have filled my life with so much stuff that I rarely fulfill or even endeavor to fulfill this desire. Help me to clear space and stuff away to get to this beautiful place.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Title: Don't Add Water / Topic: The Cross

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 30; Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Observation: The cross of Christ has power. It is the place where our salvation was bought and paid for. It is the place where all must come to be saved. And Paul insists that the cross is enough, in and of itself, without embellishment of human design.

Application: Keep it simple. There is nothing we need to (or indeed can) add that will make the cross more power or effective. In fact, our attempts to add our "words of human wisdom" don't strengthen the cross, they can actually empty if of its power. This should keep all of us on the straight and narrow to preach the cross of Christ and not our own stuff.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that real, true power is found in You and in the cross of Christ. May I always function in the real power and not be diverted into any human invention. I want to see Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven and I know that can only happen through Your power. May I always walk in it.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Title: Fully Obey / Topic: Life Struggles

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 28; Deuteronomy 29; Galatians 6

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-2
1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God...

Observation: I notice these phrases "fully obey" and "carefully follow." The Lord promises wonderful blessings for those who will takes these two phrases and make them real.

Application: But it is hard to fully obey. I tend to mostly obey. I don't mean to be disobedient in any way. I believe that I intend to fully obey, but though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. What this scripture tells me is that if a person could dedicate himself to fully obey and carefully follow, there would be great benefits and blessings to that person.

Prayer: Lord, I do want to grow into a man that fully obeys and carefully follows You and Your ways. Help me to get rid of the remnants of my sin nature that keep me from doing this. Lord I want to get all that You have for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Title: The Rarest Thing / Topic: Freedom

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 25; Deuteronomy 26; Deuteronomy 27; Galatians 5

Scripture: Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Observation: Freedom is a rare thing. Jesus had to give up His life for us to have the possibility of freedom. Without Jesus, there would be no freedom, only varying degrees of bondage and slavery. And freedom has enemies. Freedom is threatening. Freedom always faces opposition. The enemies of freedom can look secular or spiritual. They can have suits and ties or jihadi masks. The enemies of freedom are within us and surrounding us. The are in the world and in the church.

Application: It requires vigilance to sustain freedom. The pressures of bondage will constantly seek to encroach in on the borders of freedom. I must be intentional and make a stand to stay free. To maintain freedom is not easy or automatic.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live and lead in Your glorious freedom. I want to be free in You to live the righteous life that You envision for me in the Holy Spirit. Free me from the bondages of self and sin and the expectations of others. Free me to hear Your voice and to walk in Your power every moment of every day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Title: Three Thoughts / Topic: Christian Living

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 22; Deuteronomy 23; Deuteronomy 24; Galatians 4

Scripture: Galatians 4:15-17
15 What has happened to all your joy?...
16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.

Observations/Applications: I have three separate observations and applications -- one for each verse.
Verse 15 spoke to me about the fact that so many Christians don't seem to exhibit a lot of joy. Sometimes I get too serious about everything and forget to dwell in joy. Paul's question to the Galatians is something we all need to think about.
Verse 16 reminded me about all the people who have heard a true and caring word I spoke to them and taken it in the wrong way. They turned it around and became offended and considered me their enemy. I can so relate to Paul in this. (Don't be easily offended but be thankful for true friends who speak the truth in love to you.)
Verse 17 makes me sad. It reminds me of young Christians who have been picked off by predatory zealots. These zealots come across as sincere believers but their tactics of sheep stealing are anything but Christian. Unfortunately, many of these zealots offer simplistic but powerful formulas that sound good to the immature and undiscerning ear. And the end result is that their targets get led astray and joined to an unhealthy group. (Listen to your pastor. Don't get wowed by some phony baloney self-appointed prophet.)

Prayer: Lord, the same kind of stuff has been happening to Your people as long as You have had people. Help us to be wiser and to stay humble and teachable. We belong to You. Have mercy upon us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Title: The Underdog / Topic: God's Help

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-4
1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

Observation/Application: Just a basic faith principle: if you are up against difficult odds, don't panic. Just trust in God. He delights in coming through for the underdog. In fact, He specializes in underdogs. He casts in with David against Goliath, Hebrew slaves against the Egyptian army, Daniel against the Lions, three Hebrew children against the King and his furnace. He never once voted for the strong. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. I am in a great position to get God's help!

Prayer: Lord, help!
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Title: The Flawed Man / Topic: God's Help

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Scripture: Psalm 38:16-22
16 For I said, "Do not let them gloat
or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."
17 For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many are those who are my vigorous enemies;
those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil
slander me when I pursue what is good.
21 O LORD, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my Savior.

Observation: David is going down. He foresees tough times ahead. And he knows he has enemies who would love to see him fail. He has his own personal struggles: "I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin." David is under no illusion of perfection -- he is a flawed man and he knows it. I like that about David. I can relate to that. And best of all, David knows that God is his hope. In verses 21 and 22 he calls upon the Lord for help.

Application: The message to me is so simple and direct. Like David I have enemies, I will fail, I have undeniable flaws, and I must rely on God to help me to survive and (hopefully) to thrive.

Prayer: Lord, You know me through and through. And, miracle that it is to me, You still love me so much. Thank You, Lord. You are my help and my survival. Come to my aid in my times of need.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.