Today’s Reading: Joshua 18; Joshua 19; Joshua 20; 1 Corinthians 9
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Observation: Paul relates the life of the Christian to an Olympic race. (Of course it's a marathon and not a sprint.) He tells us that we are to run the race to win.
Application: So many Christians aren't in it to win. What I mean is that there is a general apathy and lax attitude about the things that make a Christian strong. Bible reading, teaching, prayer, fellowship, meditation, spiritual disciplines, and the like are seen as optional, or "a good idea if I have the time." The vast majority of us don't run to win. Many don't really even run at all. They stroll.
The Bottom Line is that it is time to get serious about being a follower of Christ. Jesus warned a group about being neither hot nor cold. These lukewarm believers were rejected in the end. It's time to get hot on the trail of the Gold Medal for the Christian Marathon. Let's start training.
Prayer: Lord, I want the prize. I don't want to miss the opportunity to go for the gold. Assist and empower me to put aside the value on comfort and take the narrow road to victory.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Title: Knowledge vs. Love / Topic: God's Values
Today’s Reading: Joshua 15; Joshua 16; Joshua 17; 1 Corinthians 8
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-2
1 ...We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
Observation: Paul contrasts love against knowledge. The Corinthian Christians were living in a cosmopolitan Roman city. The Roman value of knowledge had affected their thinking. And of course, we in the Western World today have inherited this high value on knowledge. Paul points out that knowledge has the tendency to create and foster pride, which is counterproductive to spiritual growth as it puts up a wall between a person and God. Paul goes on to say that if a person believes that he is an expert on any subject, he is fooling himself and does not truly know anything correctly.
Application: This is just a reminder to humility and not putting too much value on knowledge for its own sake. Love is the highest value. Love of God, and love for others.
Prayer: Lord, may I be a man of love through and through. Help us to love and teach others with true humility.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-2
1 ...We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
Observation: Paul contrasts love against knowledge. The Corinthian Christians were living in a cosmopolitan Roman city. The Roman value of knowledge had affected their thinking. And of course, we in the Western World today have inherited this high value on knowledge. Paul points out that knowledge has the tendency to create and foster pride, which is counterproductive to spiritual growth as it puts up a wall between a person and God. Paul goes on to say that if a person believes that he is an expert on any subject, he is fooling himself and does not truly know anything correctly.
Application: This is just a reminder to humility and not putting too much value on knowledge for its own sake. Love is the highest value. Love of God, and love for others.
Prayer: Lord, may I be a man of love through and through. Help us to love and teach others with true humility.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Title: Going, going... / Topic: Eternity
Today’s Reading: Joshua 12; Joshua 13; Joshua 14; 1 Corinthians 7
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:31 ...For this world in its present form is passing away.
Observation: I don't think Paul was talking about global warming, but this is a truth that is important to remember: The world that we know today is in the process of passing away. That is, things are constantly changing. And as time progresses, change comes more and more quickly and dramatically.
Application: This simply helps us stay focused on eternity and to not get too engrossed in this present world as if it were permanent. Every person in history had their moment in the sun and now they have moved beyond the veil of this world into eternity. Before long, this will happen to me. Even if it is 40-50 years off, that's not a long time. So it is wise to focus today on eternity. This world in its present form is passing away.
Prayer: Lord, I choose to look to You and to focus on eternity. Help me to not get wrapped up in the minutia of details and the stuff of this busy world. I want to invest in You and in eternity.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:31 ...For this world in its present form is passing away.
Observation: I don't think Paul was talking about global warming, but this is a truth that is important to remember: The world that we know today is in the process of passing away. That is, things are constantly changing. And as time progresses, change comes more and more quickly and dramatically.
Application: This simply helps us stay focused on eternity and to not get too engrossed in this present world as if it were permanent. Every person in history had their moment in the sun and now they have moved beyond the veil of this world into eternity. Before long, this will happen to me. Even if it is 40-50 years off, that's not a long time. So it is wise to focus today on eternity. This world in its present form is passing away.
Prayer: Lord, I choose to look to You and to focus on eternity. Help me to not get wrapped up in the minutia of details and the stuff of this busy world. I want to invest in You and in eternity.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Title: The Purchase And The Gift / Topic: Victorious Living
Today’s Reading: Joshua 9; Joshua 10; Joshua 11; 1 Corinthians 6
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Observation: I notice that in these verses there is a purchase and a gift.
First the purchase: I was bought at a price -- that is, Jesus gave His life to buy me. But it is not like buying a slave at the auction block. No, He redeemed me from slavery and purchased my freedom at the cost of His own freedom. The price paid is His life. Because that is the price He paid, it tells me that this is the value He placed on me. That's amazing.
The gift is the indwelling Holy Spirit. My body is a "temple of the Holy Spirit." After God purchased me and I, by an act of my will, concurred with His purchase, God gifted me with Himself within me. The gift is as important as the purchase because it is the gift that allows me to live as the property of God, in His character and image and likeness. The gift is the empowerment to realize the potential of the purchase.
Application: We have so much to be thankful for and so much potential of which we are not fully cognizant. Having this awareness can help me to prompt myself with the empowerment that is truly mine. The saddest possibility is that a purchased person would continue living like a slave because they were unaware of the rights and privileges available to them through the gift.
Prayer: Lord, I am choosing to live up to Your potential more and more. Assist me to fully utilize the power and giftedness You have entrusted to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Observation: I notice that in these verses there is a purchase and a gift.
First the purchase: I was bought at a price -- that is, Jesus gave His life to buy me. But it is not like buying a slave at the auction block. No, He redeemed me from slavery and purchased my freedom at the cost of His own freedom. The price paid is His life. Because that is the price He paid, it tells me that this is the value He placed on me. That's amazing.
The gift is the indwelling Holy Spirit. My body is a "temple of the Holy Spirit." After God purchased me and I, by an act of my will, concurred with His purchase, God gifted me with Himself within me. The gift is as important as the purchase because it is the gift that allows me to live as the property of God, in His character and image and likeness. The gift is the empowerment to realize the potential of the purchase.
Application: We have so much to be thankful for and so much potential of which we are not fully cognizant. Having this awareness can help me to prompt myself with the empowerment that is truly mine. The saddest possibility is that a purchased person would continue living like a slave because they were unaware of the rights and privileges available to them through the gift.
Prayer: Lord, I am choosing to live up to Your potential more and more. Assist me to fully utilize the power and giftedness You have entrusted to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Title: A Time For Action / Topic: Leadership
Today’s Reading: Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5
Scripture: Joshua 7:6, 10-11
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening....
10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep..."
Observation: Israel has been defeated at Ai. After the great victory at Jericho, Ai was considered small and easy and only a few thousand men were sent to do the job. But they were routed. Joshua and the people are discouraged and Joshua lays prostrate before the ark in prayer. When the Lord answers Joshua, he tells him to "Stand up!" and rebukes him. "What are you doing down on your face?" In other words, this is no time for prayer. This is a time for action -- a time for leadership. There was sin to confront, there was work to do to deal with problems among the people.
Application: There is a time for every purpose under heaven. There is a time for prayer, and surely I don't do enough of it. But there is a time when prayer is wholly inappropriate and action is required. The message here for me is this: there is no "one size fits all" approach to leadership and problem solving. Prayer is important, certainly. This cannot be stressed enough. But there is a time when action is what God wants and expects. And if we fail to act at those times, no amount of prayer will make up for it.
Prayer: Lord, help me be in tune with You to know exactly what to do at every moment. I want to pray when it's time to pray and I want to act decisively when that is what You are calling for. Give me ears to hear, a heart to obey, and courage to do whatever is necessary.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Joshua 7:6, 10-11
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening....
10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep..."
Observation: Israel has been defeated at Ai. After the great victory at Jericho, Ai was considered small and easy and only a few thousand men were sent to do the job. But they were routed. Joshua and the people are discouraged and Joshua lays prostrate before the ark in prayer. When the Lord answers Joshua, he tells him to "Stand up!" and rebukes him. "What are you doing down on your face?" In other words, this is no time for prayer. This is a time for action -- a time for leadership. There was sin to confront, there was work to do to deal with problems among the people.
Application: There is a time for every purpose under heaven. There is a time for prayer, and surely I don't do enough of it. But there is a time when prayer is wholly inappropriate and action is required. The message here for me is this: there is no "one size fits all" approach to leadership and problem solving. Prayer is important, certainly. This cannot be stressed enough. But there is a time when action is what God wants and expects. And if we fail to act at those times, no amount of prayer will make up for it.
Prayer: Lord, help me be in tune with You to know exactly what to do at every moment. I want to pray when it's time to pray and I want to act decisively when that is what You are calling for. Give me ears to hear, a heart to obey, and courage to do whatever is necessary.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Title: The Prison Of The Past / Topic: Hope
Today’s Reading: Joshua 3; Joshua 4; Joshua 5; Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 4
Scripture: Joshua 5:4-6
4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt — all the men of military age — died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD.
Observation: All the Israelites who wandered and died in the wilderness had resigned themselves to a life apart from God's will for them. They were part of a rebellious generation and they all took the identity of those who had failed. They saw themselves as failures. What is interesting is that they had the same attitude for their kids. That's why they didn't bother to circumcise them. Circumcision is a sign of surrender to God. They had surrendered only to failure. They saw no reason to circumcise the kids.
Application: Don't let a sense of failure cause you to project negatively on your children. It is possible to give up on yourself and your future because of some past struggle. I say, forget the past. Start today with a new attitude and let God circumcise your heart again. There is always hope for a new life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You want to always give us a fresh start. Help us not to be imprisoned by our past. Circumcise my heart anew.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Joshua 5:4-6
4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt — all the men of military age — died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD.
Observation: All the Israelites who wandered and died in the wilderness had resigned themselves to a life apart from God's will for them. They were part of a rebellious generation and they all took the identity of those who had failed. They saw themselves as failures. What is interesting is that they had the same attitude for their kids. That's why they didn't bother to circumcise them. Circumcision is a sign of surrender to God. They had surrendered only to failure. They saw no reason to circumcise the kids.
Application: Don't let a sense of failure cause you to project negatively on your children. It is possible to give up on yourself and your future because of some past struggle. I say, forget the past. Start today with a new attitude and let God circumcise your heart again. There is always hope for a new life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You want to always give us a fresh start. Help us not to be imprisoned by our past. Circumcise my heart anew.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Title: Delight In Imperfection / Topic: Spiritual Walk
Today’s Reading: Joshua 1; Joshua 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3
Scripture: Psalm 37:23-24
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Observation: This is a beautiful promise. I especially like the fact that it includes this phrase: "though he stumble..." Sometimes we think God expects us to be perfect, but that is not the case. Even this man, in whose way the Lord delights, has an occasional stumble. That is encouraging to me.
Application: Don't stop in your efforts to please the Lord. He understands that we will stumble and He is there to support us, not tear us down. He keeps us from having the stumbles developing into full-blown falls.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your loving and encouraging nature. May I walk in Your way that You may delight in me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 37:23-24
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Observation: This is a beautiful promise. I especially like the fact that it includes this phrase: "though he stumble..." Sometimes we think God expects us to be perfect, but that is not the case. Even this man, in whose way the Lord delights, has an occasional stumble. That is encouraging to me.
Application: Don't stop in your efforts to please the Lord. He understands that we will stumble and He is there to support us, not tear us down. He keeps us from having the stumbles developing into full-blown falls.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your loving and encouraging nature. May I walk in Your way that You may delight in me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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