Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7
Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:29-30
29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'
30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
Observation: God rebukes Eli for his sons' misdeeds. Their abuse of the priesthood has caused God to retract the covenant that He made with Levi. Because Eli does not deal with his sons decisively, God tells him that He is scorning the sacrifice and honoring his sons more than God. (True, Eli rebuked them for their actions, but he himself took no action against them. They continued to flaunt their evil while Eli did nothing.) Notice that in verse 30 God says that He is going back on the promise He made because of their failure to honor God. The phrase, "far be it from me," indicates that it is not at all God's nature to make unconditional promises. When He makes a promise, it is dependant upon the obedience of the one receiving the promise.
Application: We can break God's covenant and lose His promised blessing, including our salvation. "Far be it from me," God says, to keep a promise with anyone who is abusing people in the name of God or living a lie that brings dishonor to God. Those who intentionally and habitually dishonor God have no reason to think that they will get anything but judgment from the Lord.
Bottom line: Stay close to God, seeking Him with humility. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a keeper of Your covenant. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk in humble obedience to You always.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Title: A Life Of Contrasts / Topic: Discipleship
Today’s Reading: Ruth 3; Ruth 4; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 6
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Observation: The contrasts of life for the disciple of Jesus are amazing. Here Paul lists some.
1. There is sorrow mixed with rejoicing. Sorrow for those who are hurting, lost, suffering because of bad choices, etc. There is sorrow and pain because of those who hurl attacks against the disciple. But there is rejoicing in the Lord as He sustains the disciple and the joy of sharing in the sufferings of Jesus.
2. Poor and rich at the same time. Poor because the disciple does not focus on the amassing of wealth. Poor because the disciple considers everything he has to belong to God and not to him. Poor because the disciple gives away much to help others. Yet rich because of the blessings of God and because of the truth that all of what belongs to God also belongs to the disciple as a joint heir with Jesus. Also rich because of the multiple blessings of God poured out on the life of the disciple.
Application: The life of the disciple is full of contradictions and contrasts. If I am to live this life, I must be content to live in the middle of this tension. It is a good tension because it reminds me that though I am richly blessed of God, I have not yet realized the fullness of the blessing. And this tension keeps me focused on Jesus and looking forward to the day of fulfillment, the blessed coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ when all things will be made complete.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You lead us forward even in this life of contrasts and contradictions. I know that You have given me everything I need, even though I sometimes don't see it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Observation: The contrasts of life for the disciple of Jesus are amazing. Here Paul lists some.
1. There is sorrow mixed with rejoicing. Sorrow for those who are hurting, lost, suffering because of bad choices, etc. There is sorrow and pain because of those who hurl attacks against the disciple. But there is rejoicing in the Lord as He sustains the disciple and the joy of sharing in the sufferings of Jesus.
2. Poor and rich at the same time. Poor because the disciple does not focus on the amassing of wealth. Poor because the disciple considers everything he has to belong to God and not to him. Poor because the disciple gives away much to help others. Yet rich because of the blessings of God and because of the truth that all of what belongs to God also belongs to the disciple as a joint heir with Jesus. Also rich because of the multiple blessings of God poured out on the life of the disciple.
Application: The life of the disciple is full of contradictions and contrasts. If I am to live this life, I must be content to live in the middle of this tension. It is a good tension because it reminds me that though I am richly blessed of God, I have not yet realized the fullness of the blessing. And this tension keeps me focused on Jesus and looking forward to the day of fulfillment, the blessed coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ when all things will be made complete.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You lead us forward even in this life of contrasts and contradictions. I know that You have given me everything I need, even though I sometimes don't see it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Title: God's Kindness Revealed / Topic: Godly Character
Today’s Reading: Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Psalm 53
Scripture: Ruth 2:10-12
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?"
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
Observation: This is a touching exchange between Ruth and Boaz. The respect that each expresses for the other is wonderful. Boaz was an honorable and kind man and though Ruth was an alien to Israel, he treats her with dignity and gentleness. And I love what he says in verse 12: "May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." It is the Lord that we come to for refuge, but it is often good people that the Lord uses to bring us the blessings of the trust we put in God.
Application: I want to be a person whom the Lord uses to bless others. I want to be an extension of God and His blessing as Boaz was to Ruth. She learned about the goodness of God by seeing the goodness of Boaz. He put flesh and blood to the goodness of the invisible God. That's what I want my life to be all about.
Prayer: Lord, You are so good. I want to reflect Your goodness to others and to live boldly proclaiming Your name, Your will, and Your ways to anyone who is paying attention. Give me boldness and effectiveness in this pursuit, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Ruth 2:10-12
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?"
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
Observation: This is a touching exchange between Ruth and Boaz. The respect that each expresses for the other is wonderful. Boaz was an honorable and kind man and though Ruth was an alien to Israel, he treats her with dignity and gentleness. And I love what he says in verse 12: "May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." It is the Lord that we come to for refuge, but it is often good people that the Lord uses to bring us the blessings of the trust we put in God.
Application: I want to be a person whom the Lord uses to bless others. I want to be an extension of God and His blessing as Boaz was to Ruth. She learned about the goodness of God by seeing the goodness of Boaz. He put flesh and blood to the goodness of the invisible God. That's what I want my life to be all about.
Prayer: Lord, You are so good. I want to reflect Your goodness to others and to live boldly proclaiming Your name, Your will, and Your ways to anyone who is paying attention. Give me boldness and effectiveness in this pursuit, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Title: Death And Life / Topic: Resurrection Power
Today’s Reading: Judges 19; Judges 20; Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body...
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Observation: I love these verses! This is the week we remember Jesus' death and celebrate His resurrection. And here, Paul explains that we undergo this death and resurrection experience in an ongoing way. We experience death through trials and struggles -- sometimes almost ready to give up. The frustration of our own weakness and inconsistency causes us great consternation, but also drives us to God and the throne of grace where we are lifted up through His divine power and His life is revealed where all we saw was death. The contrast between the death and renewal of life keeps reminding us that we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. We live because He lived. We die because He died. We are raised again because He was raised again. And I especially love verse 17 which describes our travail as "light and momentary troubles" but explains the wonderful truth that these troubles have the purpose of "achieving for us an eternal glory." Because of this, we have every reason to hang on to hope and look for the eternal payoff. We will ultimately be raised even from death to the perfection of God. Hallelujah!
Application: Keep on keeping on!
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are producing something beautiful in my life. I am so bless to be the recipient of Your grace and glory. May I walk in resurrection power every day as I love and long for Your appearing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body...
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Observation: I love these verses! This is the week we remember Jesus' death and celebrate His resurrection. And here, Paul explains that we undergo this death and resurrection experience in an ongoing way. We experience death through trials and struggles -- sometimes almost ready to give up. The frustration of our own weakness and inconsistency causes us great consternation, but also drives us to God and the throne of grace where we are lifted up through His divine power and His life is revealed where all we saw was death. The contrast between the death and renewal of life keeps reminding us that we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. We live because He lived. We die because He died. We are raised again because He was raised again. And I especially love verse 17 which describes our travail as "light and momentary troubles" but explains the wonderful truth that these troubles have the purpose of "achieving for us an eternal glory." Because of this, we have every reason to hang on to hope and look for the eternal payoff. We will ultimately be raised even from death to the perfection of God. Hallelujah!
Application: Keep on keeping on!
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are producing something beautiful in my life. I am so bless to be the recipient of Your grace and glory. May I walk in resurrection power every day as I love and long for Your appearing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Title: Celebrating Garbage / Topic: Depraved Culture
Today’s Reading: Judges 17; Judges 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3
Scripture: Judges 17:1-2
1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it."
Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!"
Observation: This is the beginning of a very bizarre story. What I notice is that this mother is proud of her son for coming clean about stealing her money. There is no thought about the fact that he has bad character, being a thief who steals from his own mother, only that he admitted to stealing.
Application: I think it is a mark of a depraved culture where people take things that are shameful, or should be shameful, and elevate them as if they are good. And by that measure, we live in a depraved culture. Today, the lifestyles that are celebrated, the sins that are paraded, the bizarre that is normalized is remarkable. Just consider all the focus and frenzy about the recent death of a former centerfold model and the glamorizing of her sad and abused life as something worthy of celebration. Or the parades in various cities in which homosexuals demonstrate their pride in themselves and their practices in grotesque and unrestrained revelry. The mocking of purity, modesty, and virtue is another indication of the fallen society in which we live.
The bottom line is that we must not identify with this culture of sensuality and permissiveness. It is our duty to portray a distinctive holiness and purity that stands in sharp contrast to the popular culture.
Prayer: Lord help us to be beacons of purity in this dark world. May Your people portray your nobility through the way we live.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Judges 17:1-2
1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it."
Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!"
Observation: This is the beginning of a very bizarre story. What I notice is that this mother is proud of her son for coming clean about stealing her money. There is no thought about the fact that he has bad character, being a thief who steals from his own mother, only that he admitted to stealing.
Application: I think it is a mark of a depraved culture where people take things that are shameful, or should be shameful, and elevate them as if they are good. And by that measure, we live in a depraved culture. Today, the lifestyles that are celebrated, the sins that are paraded, the bizarre that is normalized is remarkable. Just consider all the focus and frenzy about the recent death of a former centerfold model and the glamorizing of her sad and abused life as something worthy of celebration. Or the parades in various cities in which homosexuals demonstrate their pride in themselves and their practices in grotesque and unrestrained revelry. The mocking of purity, modesty, and virtue is another indication of the fallen society in which we live.
The bottom line is that we must not identify with this culture of sensuality and permissiveness. It is our duty to portray a distinctive holiness and purity that stands in sharp contrast to the popular culture.
Prayer: Lord help us to be beacons of purity in this dark world. May Your people portray your nobility through the way we live.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Title: He Believed Her / Topic: Trust
Today’s Reading: Judges 13; Judges 14; Judges 15; Judges 16; 2 Corinthians 2
Scripture: Judges 13:6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name... 8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."
Observation: I love the fact that Manoah did not doubt his wife's words, even though the story she told would have been hard to believe. Throughout this story we see that Manoah's wife is a spiritual, but levelheaded woman. She had earned Manoah's trust by being trustworthy. Because he believed her, he prayed for another visitation for further instruction in raising the child of promise and he got it.
Application: This has everything to do with trustworthiness and trust. I must conduct myself in such a way as to give others reasons to believe in what I say. And I should be willing to believe others who have likewise proven themselves as well. God does speak to people. Let's listen to what others share about His communications to them. And let us tune our ears to the Lord to hear Him and share it with others.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You speak to people. Help me to hear you. And help me to earn the trust of others with honorable and honest living and words.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Judges 13:6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name... 8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."
Observation: I love the fact that Manoah did not doubt his wife's words, even though the story she told would have been hard to believe. Throughout this story we see that Manoah's wife is a spiritual, but levelheaded woman. She had earned Manoah's trust by being trustworthy. Because he believed her, he prayed for another visitation for further instruction in raising the child of promise and he got it.
Application: This has everything to do with trustworthiness and trust. I must conduct myself in such a way as to give others reasons to believe in what I say. And I should be willing to believe others who have likewise proven themselves as well. God does speak to people. Let's listen to what others share about His communications to them. And let us tune our ears to the Lord to hear Him and share it with others.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You speak to people. Help me to hear you. And help me to earn the trust of others with honorable and honest living and words.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Title: What A Deal! / Topic: Rewards
Today’s Reading: Judges 11; Judges 12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1
Scripture: Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God."
Observation: Talk about your good investment! Invest in God by bringing thank offerings and honoring God and that "prepares the way" for God's intervention and salvation. What a great deal!
Application: This is such a no brainer! Serve God, love God, worship God, honor God. And God works on your behalf. It's that simple.
Prayer: Lord, I do desire to honor You with my whole being. I ask for Your help and blessing on my life and my loved ones and my work. Pour out a blessing upon me and multiply my effectiveness and my fruitfulness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God."
Observation: Talk about your good investment! Invest in God by bringing thank offerings and honoring God and that "prepares the way" for God's intervention and salvation. What a great deal!
Application: This is such a no brainer! Serve God, love God, worship God, honor God. And God works on your behalf. It's that simple.
Prayer: Lord, I do desire to honor You with my whole being. I ask for Your help and blessing on my life and my loved ones and my work. Pour out a blessing upon me and multiply my effectiveness and my fruitfulness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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