Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:22 Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.
Observation: David's mighty men were some of the toughest warriors of history. These were fierce and skilled fighters each of whom could defeat scores or hundreds or even thousands of enemies. I noticed this verse because it likens David's army, which had his mighty men as its core, to "the army of God."
Application: What I love about this is that "the army of God" is the angelic host which battles on behalf of the saints and the kingdom of God. God is the Lord of hosts (or commander of the army) and he directs their actions for our benefit and the advancement of his objectives. Paul told us that our struggle is not against human forces but is against spiritual forces of wickedness in high places. While that is sobering, we can take great encouragement from the fact that God has a mighty army with fierce and skilled warriors who can push back and defeat any enemy. That's cause for rejoicing. And it should also draw us into prayer because that is one of the most effective means of calling "the army of God" into action. I want those fierce fighters battling on my behalf and I want to support them in their efforts.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your mighty army that fights for me in the invisible realm. Draw me into a greater understanding of way that I may partner with them to see your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Make me a mighty warrior along with them.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Title: Got Good Soil? / Topic: Listening
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13
Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
3 ..."A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."
18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Observation: I just love this parable. It portrays a basic truth about people. Everybody might hear the words -- but not everybody does something with the words. Some don't respond at all, others respond positively at first but then get sidetracked. Only one fourth of the listeners in the parable actually come to a good result over time.
Application: To me there are two basic applications. First, don't expect everybody to get it. If you can get 25 percent, that's about right. And don't be surprised when people who start out by saying, "I love it! That's great!" end up washing out. The second application is a personal one. I think that every person needs to realize that we all have areas of the differing soils in our own hearts and minds. We have some hard areas, rocky areas, weedy areas, and fertile areas. The challenge for me is to always be cultivating the soil of my heart so that the word will find a wonderful place to grow and bring forth good fruit in abundance.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for speaking through Jesus in these wonderful parables that help us to understand so much. May we be effective in proclaiming your word clearly -- in sowing good seed -- so that there may be a good harvest. And may I be increasing in the preparedness and fruitfulness of my own heart so that your word will produce a wonderful harvest of righteousness in my own life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
3 ..."A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."
18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Observation: I just love this parable. It portrays a basic truth about people. Everybody might hear the words -- but not everybody does something with the words. Some don't respond at all, others respond positively at first but then get sidetracked. Only one fourth of the listeners in the parable actually come to a good result over time.
Application: To me there are two basic applications. First, don't expect everybody to get it. If you can get 25 percent, that's about right. And don't be surprised when people who start out by saying, "I love it! That's great!" end up washing out. The second application is a personal one. I think that every person needs to realize that we all have areas of the differing soils in our own hearts and minds. We have some hard areas, rocky areas, weedy areas, and fertile areas. The challenge for me is to always be cultivating the soil of my heart so that the word will find a wonderful place to grow and bring forth good fruit in abundance.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for speaking through Jesus in these wonderful parables that help us to understand so much. May we be effective in proclaiming your word clearly -- in sowing good seed -- so that there may be a good harvest. And may I be increasing in the preparedness and fruitfulness of my own heart so that your word will produce a wonderful harvest of righteousness in my own life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Title: Where To Turn In Desperate Times / Topic: Trusting God
Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12
Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:3-8
3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD...
Observation: This is a picture of a really bad day. To start with, you've been running for your life from the king's army for years and you've had to move to a foreign country to escape the threat. Then, as you're coming home after getting a big no-confidence rejection, you discover that your town has been raided and all your stuff taken and your family kidnapped. Plus they burned down your whole town. In the deepest moment of grief and shock, your friends start blaming you for the whole mess and are discussing killing you. This is definitely a bad day. But I love what it says about David: "David found strength in the Lord his God." This is the characteristic of David's life that was totally different from Saul. David turned to God in moments of difficulty. Saul panicked and turned to his own wits in tough situations. And then David stops and takes time to seek God's direction. He is seeking the heart of God -- which is why he is "the man (seeking) after God's own heart."
Application: It's an inspiration to all of us. I've had some bad days, but none of them compare to David's experience here. So, do what David did -- find strength in God and ask God what to do next. It is a recipe for success.
Prayer: Lord, you are always there and I'm so glad and so blessed that you are. May I be like David, finding my strength in You at even the toughest moments.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:3-8
3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD...
Observation: This is a picture of a really bad day. To start with, you've been running for your life from the king's army for years and you've had to move to a foreign country to escape the threat. Then, as you're coming home after getting a big no-confidence rejection, you discover that your town has been raided and all your stuff taken and your family kidnapped. Plus they burned down your whole town. In the deepest moment of grief and shock, your friends start blaming you for the whole mess and are discussing killing you. This is definitely a bad day. But I love what it says about David: "David found strength in the Lord his God." This is the characteristic of David's life that was totally different from Saul. David turned to God in moments of difficulty. Saul panicked and turned to his own wits in tough situations. And then David stops and takes time to seek God's direction. He is seeking the heart of God -- which is why he is "the man (seeking) after God's own heart."
Application: It's an inspiration to all of us. I've had some bad days, but none of them compare to David's experience here. So, do what David did -- find strength in God and ask God what to do next. It is a recipe for success.
Prayer: Lord, you are always there and I'm so glad and so blessed that you are. May I be like David, finding my strength in You at even the toughest moments.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Title: Merciful Judgment / Topic: Loving God
Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 28; 1 Samuel 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11
Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:15, 19
15 Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?... 19 The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me..."
Observation: Saul has slipped farther and farther from the godly king that he could have been. Here he has gone to a witch to try to communicate with the Samuel from beyond the grave. Surprisingly, even to the witch, Samuel shows up and delivers a message of judgment on Saul. I have read this passage many times but what caught my eye for the first time today is the mercy we find here for Samuel tells Saul that he and his sons will die in battle but indicates that they will not go to a place of torment: "...tommorrow you and your sons will be with me..." Saul and his sons will be in the same place as Samuel, which I presume is not a fearful place. I'm not saying that Saul is in line for some great reward, for surely he will reap what he has sown, but it is clear that he is not getting sent away to damnation.
Application: I just love the mercy of God, even in the face of failure. Saul had so many struggles that I can identify with. I believe that I will meet him in heaven some day. As he left this earth, his battles were over. We will all experience this same thing some day.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your great mercy. I depend on it. Your strength is made perfect in weakness which makes me a great candidate for your perfect strength. May I allow you to live your beautiful life through me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:15, 19
15 Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?... 19 The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me..."
Observation: Saul has slipped farther and farther from the godly king that he could have been. Here he has gone to a witch to try to communicate with the Samuel from beyond the grave. Surprisingly, even to the witch, Samuel shows up and delivers a message of judgment on Saul. I have read this passage many times but what caught my eye for the first time today is the mercy we find here for Samuel tells Saul that he and his sons will die in battle but indicates that they will not go to a place of torment: "...tommorrow you and your sons will be with me..." Saul and his sons will be in the same place as Samuel, which I presume is not a fearful place. I'm not saying that Saul is in line for some great reward, for surely he will reap what he has sown, but it is clear that he is not getting sent away to damnation.
Application: I just love the mercy of God, even in the face of failure. Saul had so many struggles that I can identify with. I believe that I will meet him in heaven some day. As he left this earth, his battles were over. We will all experience this same thing some day.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your great mercy. I depend on it. Your strength is made perfect in weakness which makes me a great candidate for your perfect strength. May I allow you to live your beautiful life through me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Title: Who Do You Love? / Topic: Following Jesus
Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10
Scripture: Matthew 10:37-39
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Observation: These words of Jesus always stir me. He speaks to anyone who would follow him and he tells them that they have a choice. It is a choice about love -- who they will love and how much.
Application: It's a choice for me and you. Who do I love? Do I put Jesus first? It's easy to say "yes" but not so easy to actually do it. The biggest problem I see is not the tendency to put a family member ahead of God but to put myself ahead of God. I do that in little ways where I allow myself indulgences in laziness or lack of focus that I know are not what the Lord wants of me but I do it anyway. The Lord is calling me to a sold-out kind of spiritual walk. Putting Jesus first is essential.
Prayer: Lord, I will to put You in the first place in my life. Assist me to allow You to live Your life through me in the power of Your Spirit. I don't want to be striving in the flesh to live the life of the Spirit. That is a recipe for failure and frustration. Help me to rest in You and allow You to be my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 10:37-39
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Observation: These words of Jesus always stir me. He speaks to anyone who would follow him and he tells them that they have a choice. It is a choice about love -- who they will love and how much.
Application: It's a choice for me and you. Who do I love? Do I put Jesus first? It's easy to say "yes" but not so easy to actually do it. The biggest problem I see is not the tendency to put a family member ahead of God but to put myself ahead of God. I do that in little ways where I allow myself indulgences in laziness or lack of focus that I know are not what the Lord wants of me but I do it anyway. The Lord is calling me to a sold-out kind of spiritual walk. Putting Jesus first is essential.
Prayer: Lord, I will to put You in the first place in my life. Assist me to allow You to live Your life through me in the power of Your Spirit. I don't want to be striving in the flesh to live the life of the Spirit. That is a recipe for failure and frustration. Help me to rest in You and allow You to be my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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