Today’s Reading: Daniel 9; Daniel 10; Psalm 123; Luke 5
Scripture: Daniel 9:4-6, 20
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land...
20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel..."
Observation: Daniel is a righteous man. But here, as he intercedes for his nation, he identifies himself with his nation in confession of sin and rebellion against God. It is striking to me that Daniel, who in no way could be considered rebellious, uses the pronoun we in his prayer, accepting responsibility for his nation's wrongs against God. Look at how many times Daniel uses the word "we" in the above passage. He has the true heart of the intercessor.
Application: I can use Daniel as a model for intercession. If I am to intercede for any group that I am a part of (my nation, my church, The Church, pastors, etc.), I must fully identify with that group in prayer. That means not praying, "They have sinned..." but praying, "We have sinned..." and "I have sinned..." This pleases God.
Prayer: Lord, give me the heart of an intercessor. And forgive our sin, my sin, and heal our land. Have mercy upon us, I pray.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Title: The Wear Of Battle / Topic: Spiritual Toughness
Today’s Reading: Daniel 7; Daniel 8; Psalm 137; Luke 4
Scriptures:
Daniel 7:28 "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."
Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Luke 4:42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
Observation: Daniel is physically spent as a result of seeing the visions that the Lord gave him. He is literally sick. Jesus, likewise is worn out from ministering for days and needs to get away.
Application: Ministry has a cost. Not just a spiritual cost, but a physical and emotional cost as well. When I read what the great men of the Bible endured, I often wonder if I have what it takes to perform as they did. Could I receive a vision like Daniel did? I think it might kill me. But I want to be spiritually tough to be of the greatest use to the Lord. I think that is something that we all could use: a little more spiritual toughness.
Prayer: Lord, make me a stout warrior for you. Help me to do the stuff that will build my spiritual muscles and my endurance.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scriptures:
Daniel 7:28 "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."
Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Luke 4:42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
Observation: Daniel is physically spent as a result of seeing the visions that the Lord gave him. He is literally sick. Jesus, likewise is worn out from ministering for days and needs to get away.
Application: Ministry has a cost. Not just a spiritual cost, but a physical and emotional cost as well. When I read what the great men of the Bible endured, I often wonder if I have what it takes to perform as they did. Could I receive a vision like Daniel did? I think it might kill me. But I want to be spiritually tough to be of the greatest use to the Lord. I think that is something that we all could use: a little more spiritual toughness.
Prayer: Lord, make me a stout warrior for you. Help me to do the stuff that will build my spiritual muscles and my endurance.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Title: A Few Lessons From Daniel 5 / Topic: Wisdom
Today’s Reading: Daniel 5; Daniel 6; Psalm 130; Luke 3
I really enjoyed today's reading. And as I read, several truths popped out at me. I will share the verses and the lessons from each.
Scriptures/observations/applications from Daniel 5 (various verses):
Verse 2: While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.
Lesson: People do stupid things, things they would otherwise not do, when they are under the influence of alcohol. Stay away from it.
Verse 4: As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Lesson: This reminds me of a recent event in which a comedienne who won an Emmy award stated mockingly that Jesus had nothing to do with her achievement and that the Emmy was now her god. What a pathetic expression and what a lousy god. In the end she will be sorry.
Verses 5-6: Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.
Lesson: I just love it when the big bad tough king has an encounter with God. He becomes like a scared little girl. Eventually, everyone will acknowledge God.
Verse 17: Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.
Lesson: Daniel has no use for the king or his bribes. He stands for God and cannot be bought, enticed, or ensnared. I love this about Daniel. Most people are impressed with kings, the rich, and the like. But not Daniel. He knew God and wasn't impressed with even the best this world had to offer.
Verse 22: "But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven."
Lesson: This king had witnessed the judgment of God against his father and yet had learned nothing from it. His pride caused him to consider himself exempt. Now, he will pay.
Verse 23: You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.
Lesson: There is one "God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways." This is true of every person. We will be judged on whether we honored him or not.
Prayer: Lord, I want to honor you always and to walk in your ways. Lead me, o Lord. May I learn your lessons well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I really enjoyed today's reading. And as I read, several truths popped out at me. I will share the verses and the lessons from each.
Scriptures/observations/applications from Daniel 5 (various verses):
Verse 2: While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.
Lesson: People do stupid things, things they would otherwise not do, when they are under the influence of alcohol. Stay away from it.
Verse 4: As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Lesson: This reminds me of a recent event in which a comedienne who won an Emmy award stated mockingly that Jesus had nothing to do with her achievement and that the Emmy was now her god. What a pathetic expression and what a lousy god. In the end she will be sorry.
Verses 5-6: Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.
Lesson: I just love it when the big bad tough king has an encounter with God. He becomes like a scared little girl. Eventually, everyone will acknowledge God.
Verse 17: Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.
Lesson: Daniel has no use for the king or his bribes. He stands for God and cannot be bought, enticed, or ensnared. I love this about Daniel. Most people are impressed with kings, the rich, and the like. But not Daniel. He knew God and wasn't impressed with even the best this world had to offer.
Verse 22: "But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven."
Lesson: This king had witnessed the judgment of God against his father and yet had learned nothing from it. His pride caused him to consider himself exempt. Now, he will pay.
Verse 23: You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.
Lesson: There is one "God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways." This is true of every person. We will be judged on whether we honored him or not.
Prayer: Lord, I want to honor you always and to walk in your ways. Lead me, o Lord. May I learn your lessons well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Title: Got Passion? / Topic: First Love's Desire
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 42; Ezekiel 43; Ezekiel 44; Revelation 22
Scripture: Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Observation: This verse has grabbed my heart for the last several weeks. We (the Church) are the bride of Christ and this verse tells of the desire of the bride for her groom. There is passion and there is desire -- it is unmistakable.
Application: But do I have this passion and desire for Jesus, my first and true love? This is the question that has seized my heart. If not, then what must I do to regain (or get for the first time) this passion and desire?
Prayer: Lord, show me the way. I want to have a burning passion for my Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Observation: This verse has grabbed my heart for the last several weeks. We (the Church) are the bride of Christ and this verse tells of the desire of the bride for her groom. There is passion and there is desire -- it is unmistakable.
Application: But do I have this passion and desire for Jesus, my first and true love? This is the question that has seized my heart. If not, then what must I do to regain (or get for the first time) this passion and desire?
Prayer: Lord, show me the way. I want to have a burning passion for my Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Title: Perfection Required / Topic: Heaven
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 40; Ezekiel 41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21
Scripture: Revelation 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Observation: I must confess that I did not at all enjoy today's reading in Ezekiel. All the dimensions and detailed descriptions of the buildings that Ezekiel saw in his vision are dizzying and not enjoyable to read, as far as I am concerned.
I did notice this verse at the end of Revelation chapter 21. Speaking of the New Jerusalem, we are told that perfection is required of all those that enter it. Of course for anyone to have this perfection requires that he come to it through the gift of God and the blood of Jesus. Without Jesus, no perfection is possible. And without perfection, you can't get into this New Jerusalem, or heaven itself, for that matter.
Application: Many people will argue that they are "good enough" to make it into heaven. They are basically "good people" and their little faults certainly wouldn't be significant enough for God to keep them from entering. But there is no "good enough" in eternity. There is perfection or not. Perfection comes not of flesh, lest any man should boast -- it is the gift of God to the one who repents of sin and accepts the salvation which comes only through Jesus Christ. And once we have received this salvation, we must keep ourselves pure by walking in the Spirit so we do not fulfill the desires of the sinful nature.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that my salvation is not based on my ability to deserve or earn it. I thank you that Jesus did it all -- paying the full price for my sin and rising again from the dead to give me newness of life. I thank you that he took the coverings of sin that I had made and gave me his royal robes of righteousness that I may enter into your holy presence on that day. I am thankful, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Observation: I must confess that I did not at all enjoy today's reading in Ezekiel. All the dimensions and detailed descriptions of the buildings that Ezekiel saw in his vision are dizzying and not enjoyable to read, as far as I am concerned.
I did notice this verse at the end of Revelation chapter 21. Speaking of the New Jerusalem, we are told that perfection is required of all those that enter it. Of course for anyone to have this perfection requires that he come to it through the gift of God and the blood of Jesus. Without Jesus, no perfection is possible. And without perfection, you can't get into this New Jerusalem, or heaven itself, for that matter.
Application: Many people will argue that they are "good enough" to make it into heaven. They are basically "good people" and their little faults certainly wouldn't be significant enough for God to keep them from entering. But there is no "good enough" in eternity. There is perfection or not. Perfection comes not of flesh, lest any man should boast -- it is the gift of God to the one who repents of sin and accepts the salvation which comes only through Jesus Christ. And once we have received this salvation, we must keep ourselves pure by walking in the Spirit so we do not fulfill the desires of the sinful nature.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that my salvation is not based on my ability to deserve or earn it. I thank you that Jesus did it all -- paying the full price for my sin and rising again from the dead to give me newness of life. I thank you that he took the coverings of sin that I had made and gave me his royal robes of righteousness that I may enter into your holy presence on that day. I am thankful, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)