Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 1, 2, 3; Revelation 2
Scripture: Revelation 2:17
...To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Observation: Today's reading in Ezekiel and Revelation is full of strange visions -- some really weird stuff -- like "hidden manna" and "a white stone with a new name written on it." What's that all about?
Application: Every time I read these passages, I am reminded that God cannot be put in any box. Whenever I think that I have God figured out, and that I can put him into some sort of system, God moves out of my box and my system as if to simply remind me that he is God and is beyond my ability to fully know all about him. Now that should never stop me or you from doing all we can to learn about God, nor should it cause us to doubt what he has already revealed to us about himself, but it should keep us humble and seeking to learn more about him and his ways.
Bottom Line: "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Cor. 13:12
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a big God and beyond our ability to contain all that you are. Thank you for your mercy in reaching out to us and enabling us to know you, however imperfectly. Enlarge my understanding of you and keep me from ever presuming to know all about you. Thank you for being such a good, loving, and powerful Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Title: They Love To Be First / Topic: False Believers
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 50, 51; 3 John
Scripture: 3 John:9-10
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Observation/Application: There are have been and there always will be false believers in the church. And, like Diotrephes, they sometimes end up in leadership positions. This is just a part of dealing with fallen people in a fallen world.
Bottom Line: Keep your eyes on Jesus, your feet on the ground, and your beliefs grounded on the Word. And watch out for those who present themselves as an authority disconnected from your established structure. Jesus is always right on -- other, not so much.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a rock upon which we can always stand. Help me to live in submission to you and to your word and to those in authority over me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 3 John:9-10
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Observation/Application: There are have been and there always will be false believers in the church. And, like Diotrephes, they sometimes end up in leadership positions. This is just a part of dealing with fallen people in a fallen world.
Bottom Line: Keep your eyes on Jesus, your feet on the ground, and your beliefs grounded on the Word. And watch out for those who present themselves as an authority disconnected from your established structure. Jesus is always right on -- other, not so much.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a rock upon which we can always stand. Help me to live in submission to you and to your word and to those in authority over me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Title: "I Will Give The Order" / Topic: God's Power
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 33, 34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5
Scripture: Jeremiah 34:21, 22
21 "I will hand Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials over to their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon, which has withdrawn from you. 22 I am going to give the order, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, take it and burn it down. And I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there."
Observation: The king of Babylon has been attacking Israel. They recently withdrew from Jerusalem and the people are breathing a sigh of relief. But God tells them that the attack will resume and Jerusalem will fall. What blows my mind are the words of God recorded in verse 22: "'I am going to give the order,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, take it and burn it down. And I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there.'" God himself will give the order to the enemy armies to return to Jerusalem and defeat the forces of Israel and destroy the city!
Application: God has the power to use whomever he pleases to do what he wants done. Sometimes we think that the evil people are beyond God's control and that we are defenseless against them. But God has ultimate control over every power and even uses the power of evil to bring about His righteous ends.
Bottom Line: Submit to God. Trust in Him. It can bring great confidence and peace if we rest in the truth that He holds the upper hand in all things. Therefore...
Prayer: Lord, You are Lord of all. And I am thankful that You called me to Yourself that I might belong to You. You are my Lord. Help me always to keep in mind that You have me in Your hand and that You have ultimate command over everything that I encounter. May I always live in Your blessing, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Jeremiah 34:21, 22
21 "I will hand Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials over to their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon, which has withdrawn from you. 22 I am going to give the order, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, take it and burn it down. And I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there."
Observation: The king of Babylon has been attacking Israel. They recently withdrew from Jerusalem and the people are breathing a sigh of relief. But God tells them that the attack will resume and Jerusalem will fall. What blows my mind are the words of God recorded in verse 22: "'I am going to give the order,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, take it and burn it down. And I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there.'" God himself will give the order to the enemy armies to return to Jerusalem and defeat the forces of Israel and destroy the city!
Application: God has the power to use whomever he pleases to do what he wants done. Sometimes we think that the evil people are beyond God's control and that we are defenseless against them. But God has ultimate control over every power and even uses the power of evil to bring about His righteous ends.
Bottom Line: Submit to God. Trust in Him. It can bring great confidence and peace if we rest in the truth that He holds the upper hand in all things. Therefore...
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Prayer: Lord, You are Lord of all. And I am thankful that You called me to Yourself that I might belong to You. You are my Lord. Help me always to keep in mind that You have me in Your hand and that You have ultimate command over everything that I encounter. May I always live in Your blessing, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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