Today’s Reading: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10; Acts 11
Scripture: Acts 11:22-24
22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Observation: Barnabas is one of the unsung heroes of the Bible. He didn't write any books or perform miracles. He is someone who gets passed over when talking about the "great saints" of the Bible. But I like Barnabas. He first shows up earlier in Acts where he sells a piece of property and donates the proceeds to the church. His name, Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), was apparently a nickname given to him by the apostles.
Application: I want to be like Barnabas. Notice verse 24. "He was a good man..." We sometimes focus on the superstars, but few of us will ever be a Paul or a Daniel. But here is simply a "good man" -- that is something that just about every Christian person can be. And he was good because he was "full of the Holy Spirit and faith." People are drawn to this kind of person. I want to be a good man.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be like Barnabas. To be a "son of encouragement" in all my encounters with others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Title: Two Steps Back / Topic: Vigilance
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Acts 4
Scripture: Nehemiah 13:10-11
10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. 11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.
Observation: Nehemiah had instituted great reforms based on repentance. He had personally repented and had led his people in repenting before God. But he had to leave Jerusalem to return to the king and while he was gone, progress halted and reversals happened. In other words, they experienced backsliding. When Nehemiah returned, he was livid with the lack of attention to following God -- they had gone back to living like the people around them. They were living like heathens and Nehemiah steps in again to straighten it all out.
Application: What I notice here is that once changes are made, it is still hard to stay on track -- and even harder to make further progress. The natural propensity for ease and laziness kicks in and the backwards slide starts. The saying goes, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." I know this is true. If I am to be free, I must be vigilant and relentless in pursuing God. Evil is always ready to move in.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep moving forward with you. Give me a diligent heart and a vigilant spirit that I may spot the "little foxes that spoil the vine" and stay on track with you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 13:10-11
10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. 11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.
Observation: Nehemiah had instituted great reforms based on repentance. He had personally repented and had led his people in repenting before God. But he had to leave Jerusalem to return to the king and while he was gone, progress halted and reversals happened. In other words, they experienced backsliding. When Nehemiah returned, he was livid with the lack of attention to following God -- they had gone back to living like the people around them. They were living like heathens and Nehemiah steps in again to straighten it all out.
Application: What I notice here is that once changes are made, it is still hard to stay on track -- and even harder to make further progress. The natural propensity for ease and laziness kicks in and the backwards slide starts. The saying goes, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." I know this is true. If I am to be free, I must be vigilant and relentless in pursuing God. Evil is always ready to move in.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep moving forward with you. Give me a diligent heart and a vigilant spirit that I may spot the "little foxes that spoil the vine" and stay on track with you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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