Today’s Reading: Malachi 3; Malachi 4; Psalm 148; Acts 5
Scripture: Malachi 3:16-18
16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Observation: Someone is listening in on your conversations. Not it's not the NSA (National Security Agency), it's the FSHS (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). According to this scripture, God is particularly pleased with one kind of conversation -- when people who fear the Lord honor Him in what they say to each other. God is keeping a log book of these conversations (called a "scroll of remembrance") which will be used in the future for special rewards. When the Lord chooses His "treasured possession," that is, His select group of people He wants for a special relationship with Himself, this log book will be referenced and those who "feared the LORD and honored his name" will make up His "treasured possession." What a high honor this would be.
Application: What kind of conversations is God hearing when He listens in on your interaction with others? Is He hearing you honor God and seeing evidence of a God-fearing heart and life? This passage encourages me to continue and grow in Godly and edifying conversations and interactions with fellow leaders and other believers.
Bottom line: Honor God with every conversation. Someone is listening and taking notes.
Prayer: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my strength and my redeemer. May I grow in "the fear of the Lord" and honor You always with my words, actions, attitudes, and intentions.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Title: Godliness Under Assault / Topic: Spiritual Battles
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Acts 4
#1 The Battle For The Sabbath Day
#1 Scripture: Nehemiah 13:15-22
15 In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. 16 Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah. 17 I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day? 18 Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath."
19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.
#1 Observation: Nehemiah is aghast as he returns after an absence from Israel. The Jews have reverted to many of their sinful ways. Here, Nehemiah is dealing with the breaking of the Sabbath day by those doing commerce on what is supposed to be a day of rest. He literally has to lock the gates of Jerusalem and post guards to keep the merchants out. Even then, they still come, even spending the night outside the walls waiting to get in. Nehemiah has to chase them away and threaten them to get them to stop coming.
#1 Application: You can decide to give God what is His but your decision alone is not enough. Any decision you make for God will be challenged. People and circumstances will come against that decision to get you to compromise. Even after you have told them "NO," they will still show up to challenge and tempt you away from your convictions. So you have to continually fight and reinforce to keep your commitments and your convictions against persistent challengers.
#2 Title: Try Treating Your Boss The Way You Treat God
#2 Scripture: Malachi 1:6-8
6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.
"But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar.
"But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?'
"By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
#2 Observation: God, speaking through Malachi, tells them that they are showing Him contempt and a lack of honor and respect by offering substandard animals on the altar of sacrifice. To demonstrate His point God challenges them to "try offering them [crippled or diseased animals] to your governor!" Of course, no one would think of putting a diseased lamb on the platter for a banquet for special guests. Or serving road kill to royalty! Yet we frequently offer gifts to God that we know would never pass the test in other areas of our lives.
#2 Application: Try treating your boss the way you treat God. For example, take your punctuality and attendance record at church and try it at work. Try showing up regularly a little past (or long after) the hour of your scheduled shift. Try missing the same percentage of work days that you miss of church. Or try reading your bosses memos with the same regularity that you read the word. Would your boss be happy with this level of performance on the job? If not, then why should God be happy with that level of sacrifice and service to Him? Think about it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep You in the first place in my life, to fully respect You, and to fully follow Your ways. Give me a heart that motivates and inspires me beyond my fear and discomfort to obey You always. May Your Spirit rule in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
#1 The Battle For The Sabbath Day
#1 Scripture: Nehemiah 13:15-22
15 In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. 16 Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah. 17 I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day? 18 Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath."
19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.
#1 Observation: Nehemiah is aghast as he returns after an absence from Israel. The Jews have reverted to many of their sinful ways. Here, Nehemiah is dealing with the breaking of the Sabbath day by those doing commerce on what is supposed to be a day of rest. He literally has to lock the gates of Jerusalem and post guards to keep the merchants out. Even then, they still come, even spending the night outside the walls waiting to get in. Nehemiah has to chase them away and threaten them to get them to stop coming.
#1 Application: You can decide to give God what is His but your decision alone is not enough. Any decision you make for God will be challenged. People and circumstances will come against that decision to get you to compromise. Even after you have told them "NO," they will still show up to challenge and tempt you away from your convictions. So you have to continually fight and reinforce to keep your commitments and your convictions against persistent challengers.
#2 Title: Try Treating Your Boss The Way You Treat God
#2 Scripture: Malachi 1:6-8
6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.
"But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar.
"But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?'
"By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
#2 Observation: God, speaking through Malachi, tells them that they are showing Him contempt and a lack of honor and respect by offering substandard animals on the altar of sacrifice. To demonstrate His point God challenges them to "try offering them [crippled or diseased animals] to your governor!" Of course, no one would think of putting a diseased lamb on the platter for a banquet for special guests. Or serving road kill to royalty! Yet we frequently offer gifts to God that we know would never pass the test in other areas of our lives.
#2 Application: Try treating your boss the way you treat God. For example, take your punctuality and attendance record at church and try it at work. Try showing up regularly a little past (or long after) the hour of your scheduled shift. Try missing the same percentage of work days that you miss of church. Or try reading your bosses memos with the same regularity that you read the word. Would your boss be happy with this level of performance on the job? If not, then why should God be happy with that level of sacrifice and service to Him? Think about it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep You in the first place in my life, to fully respect You, and to fully follow Your ways. Give me a heart that motivates and inspires me beyond my fear and discomfort to obey You always. May Your Spirit rule in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Title: Use What You Have / Topic: Availability
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 11; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 1; Acts 3
Scripture: Acts 3:6-8
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Observation: I like what Peter said to the beggar. The beggar wanted cash. They didn't have any cash. But Peter didn't say, "Sorry, I gave at the office." He said, "I don't have cash, but what I do have I give to you."
Application: God does not need you and me to give something we do not possess. We just need to give what we have. Of course, that means we need to be in close contact with the Lord Jesus so that what we have isn't just our own paltry creations. But like He did with Peter and John, God can release a miracle if we will step out and offer. (I wonder how many miracles I have missed because I chickened out.)
Prayer: Lord, help us to be willing to use what we have for You. You don't ask us to come up with miracles on our own, or produce a satchel full of cash. I think You are simply looking for people who will let You work through them to bless others. I want to be one of those people. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 3:6-8
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Observation: I like what Peter said to the beggar. The beggar wanted cash. They didn't have any cash. But Peter didn't say, "Sorry, I gave at the office." He said, "I don't have cash, but what I do have I give to you."
Application: God does not need you and me to give something we do not possess. We just need to give what we have. Of course, that means we need to be in close contact with the Lord Jesus so that what we have isn't just our own paltry creations. But like He did with Peter and John, God can release a miracle if we will step out and offer. (I wonder how many miracles I have missed because I chickened out.)
Prayer: Lord, help us to be willing to use what we have for You. You don't ask us to come up with miracles on our own, or produce a satchel full of cash. I think You are simply looking for people who will let You work through them to bless others. I want to be one of those people. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Title: Real Belief - Real Sacrifice / Topic: Transformation
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:29-39
28 "The rest of the people... 29 ...bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God...
30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
31 "...we will not buy... on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
32 "...to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings... and for all the duties of the house of our God....
35 "...for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
36 "...we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks...
37 "... the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops... 39 ...contributions of grain, new wine and oil...
"We will not neglect the house of our God."
Observation: As the people rally to God in repentance, they make commitments to follow God in tangible ways. Note that there is a social component (not mingling with the non-Jewish peoples), and an economic component (giving to support the "house of the LORD"). Their belief was demonstrated to be real by real sacrifice. There was no room here for a "belief system" that did not translate into action. The final line of this passage "We will not neglect the house of our God," is the overall theme of their commitments. They recognized that to follow God would mean a practical giving to and paying attention to the house of God. That meant not only giving to it's support, but also a firm adherence to participating in the gatherings, festivals, celebrations, and other holy times.
Application: I am calling to everyone who reads this to evaluate his (or her) commitment level to "not neglect the house of our God" and compare it to what we read here. I believe that churches in America suffer from a thoroughgoing neglect of both their financial needs and their spiritual aspects. Far too many people find it easy to simply miss any (and many) gatherings and withhold tithes and offerings. As a result, not only does the church suffer, but the church's testimony to others is weak. What does it say to an unbelieving onlooker when the vast majority those who claim to believe in the church give such small support (in money and participation) that the church operates on a shoestring? Why should anyone give credence to a message that does not motivate even those who hold to it? We need a revival that shakes our lives so that our "belief system" isn't just a mental exercise but it is a life-altering force that determines our finances, social practices, and every other aspect of our lives.
Prayer: Lord, help us to live in Your ways fully and to break out of the casual "beliefism" that looks weak because it is weak. Help us to be truly saved in every area of our lives and to make our lives be an irrefutable demonstration of the factual truth of our salvation.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:29-39
28 "The rest of the people... 29 ...bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God...
30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
31 "...we will not buy... on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
32 "...to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings... and for all the duties of the house of our God....
35 "...for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
36 "...we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks...
37 "... the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops... 39 ...contributions of grain, new wine and oil...
"We will not neglect the house of our God."
Observation: As the people rally to God in repentance, they make commitments to follow God in tangible ways. Note that there is a social component (not mingling with the non-Jewish peoples), and an economic component (giving to support the "house of the LORD"). Their belief was demonstrated to be real by real sacrifice. There was no room here for a "belief system" that did not translate into action. The final line of this passage "We will not neglect the house of our God," is the overall theme of their commitments. They recognized that to follow God would mean a practical giving to and paying attention to the house of God. That meant not only giving to it's support, but also a firm adherence to participating in the gatherings, festivals, celebrations, and other holy times.
Application: I am calling to everyone who reads this to evaluate his (or her) commitment level to "not neglect the house of our God" and compare it to what we read here. I believe that churches in America suffer from a thoroughgoing neglect of both their financial needs and their spiritual aspects. Far too many people find it easy to simply miss any (and many) gatherings and withhold tithes and offerings. As a result, not only does the church suffer, but the church's testimony to others is weak. What does it say to an unbelieving onlooker when the vast majority those who claim to believe in the church give such small support (in money and participation) that the church operates on a shoestring? Why should anyone give credence to a message that does not motivate even those who hold to it? We need a revival that shakes our lives so that our "belief system" isn't just a mental exercise but it is a life-altering force that determines our finances, social practices, and every other aspect of our lives.
Prayer: Lord, help us to live in Your ways fully and to break out of the casual "beliefism" that looks weak because it is weak. Help us to be truly saved in every area of our lives and to make our lives be an irrefutable demonstration of the factual truth of our salvation.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Title: Love That Motivates / Topic: Conviction
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 7; Nehemiah 8; Acts 1
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12
1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Observation: I notice the great emotion of these people as they gather to be instructed in the word of God. They have just completed the monumental task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem against great opposition. This amazing feat has drawn them closer together and closer to God. Now they gather to hear the scrolls read and to be instructed. Note that they stand in reverence as the scrolls are opened, then they bow with faces to the ground. As the law is read to them (which takes many hours "from daybreak until noon"), they weep and mourn. Why? Because what they heard demonstrated God's loving ways toward them -- ways that they had not known -- ways that they and their parents and grandparents had not respected nor followed. Once they were calmed and comforted, they received the further explanation and instruction and the result is great joy and a weeklong celebration follows (see the rest of the chapter).
Application: I would like to see more deep emotion in myself and others in church. I wish that we could be moved to tears in the hearing of the word of God. A more common emotion in church is boredom born of apathy.
Prayer: Lord, help us to experience the deep pathos that these people felt. Lord, we are way too casual about the things of God -- Your word, Your will, Your ways -- and that needs to change. Help us to know You better -- to see You more clearly, love You more dearly, follow You more nearly -- day by day. Help us to truly give You our all.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12
1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Observation: I notice the great emotion of these people as they gather to be instructed in the word of God. They have just completed the monumental task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem against great opposition. This amazing feat has drawn them closer together and closer to God. Now they gather to hear the scrolls read and to be instructed. Note that they stand in reverence as the scrolls are opened, then they bow with faces to the ground. As the law is read to them (which takes many hours "from daybreak until noon"), they weep and mourn. Why? Because what they heard demonstrated God's loving ways toward them -- ways that they had not known -- ways that they and their parents and grandparents had not respected nor followed. Once they were calmed and comforted, they received the further explanation and instruction and the result is great joy and a weeklong celebration follows (see the rest of the chapter).
Application: I would like to see more deep emotion in myself and others in church. I wish that we could be moved to tears in the hearing of the word of God. A more common emotion in church is boredom born of apathy.
Prayer: Lord, help us to experience the deep pathos that these people felt. Lord, we are way too casual about the things of God -- Your word, Your will, Your ways -- and that needs to change. Help us to know You better -- to see You more clearly, love You more dearly, follow You more nearly -- day by day. Help us to truly give You our all.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Title: Above Reproach / Topic: Integrity
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Psalm 146; Luke 24
Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-16
14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Observation: Nehemiah is a man of high character. He does not use his position to enrich himself at the expense of the people but voluntarily cuts his own benefits to help his people. His actions are contrasted by previous governors who gave themselves pay raises and oppressed the people with taxes to pay for it. Nehemiah also does not remain idle. No, he rolls up his sleeves and participates in the work that he is asking others to do. He is a man above reproach, conducting himself with humility and integrity.
Application: I value these things in leadership. I have always made it my goal to be a servant leader -- to take the example of leaders such as Nehemiah and Jesus Himself and be one who is willing to do any task, no matter how menial. I believe it is honorable to remain humble and approachable and it is something I strive to implement in my life. Like Nehemiah, I see others in spiritual leadership who do not seem to identify themselves as servants but seem to conduct themselves more as lords over the people they lead. I am not called to judge the leadership styles of others but I do believe that Jesus wants His leaders to be humble and approachable servant leaders whose lives are an offering to benefit those whom they lead.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be used of You to bless others. Help me to represent You well in my manner of leadership and my effectiveness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-16
14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Observation: Nehemiah is a man of high character. He does not use his position to enrich himself at the expense of the people but voluntarily cuts his own benefits to help his people. His actions are contrasted by previous governors who gave themselves pay raises and oppressed the people with taxes to pay for it. Nehemiah also does not remain idle. No, he rolls up his sleeves and participates in the work that he is asking others to do. He is a man above reproach, conducting himself with humility and integrity.
Application: I value these things in leadership. I have always made it my goal to be a servant leader -- to take the example of leaders such as Nehemiah and Jesus Himself and be one who is willing to do any task, no matter how menial. I believe it is honorable to remain humble and approachable and it is something I strive to implement in my life. Like Nehemiah, I see others in spiritual leadership who do not seem to identify themselves as servants but seem to conduct themselves more as lords over the people they lead. I am not called to judge the leadership styles of others but I do believe that Jesus wants His leaders to be humble and approachable servant leaders whose lives are an offering to benefit those whom they lead.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be used of You to bless others. Help me to represent You well in my manner of leadership and my effectiveness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Title: The Encourager / Topic: Leadership
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 3; Nehemiah 4; Luke 23
Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
Observation: What a great leader Nehemiah was. He stood up to the enemies who tried every strategy to stop the Jews from rebuilding. He answered their opposition with strong encouragement and personal commitment to the project. And here he gives a stirring speech of encouragement. "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight...!" he says. He reminds them that they are not in this alone, but that the Lord is with them. And he also reminds them of what they are fighting for: their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes. Following this speech, we see the Israelites increase their efforts to finish the wall -- and their efforts ultimately succeed.
Application: Leadership invests in the success of the task at hand. Nehemiah worked with the people. He tirelessly partnered with them and showed his courage by standing up to their enemies. And he used his voice to speak positive words of truth that stirred the hearts and emotions of the people. This is a great example of inspirational leadership that I can learn from.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be like Nehemiah -- a great leader who never let attacks or difficulties dissuade him from confidence in what he believed You had called him to accomplish. And give me words of encouragement for the people You have called me to lead. May we, in Your strength and power, accomplish all that You have called us to do.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
Observation: What a great leader Nehemiah was. He stood up to the enemies who tried every strategy to stop the Jews from rebuilding. He answered their opposition with strong encouragement and personal commitment to the project. And here he gives a stirring speech of encouragement. "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight...!" he says. He reminds them that they are not in this alone, but that the Lord is with them. And he also reminds them of what they are fighting for: their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes. Following this speech, we see the Israelites increase their efforts to finish the wall -- and their efforts ultimately succeed.
Application: Leadership invests in the success of the task at hand. Nehemiah worked with the people. He tirelessly partnered with them and showed his courage by standing up to their enemies. And he used his voice to speak positive words of truth that stirred the hearts and emotions of the people. This is a great example of inspirational leadership that I can learn from.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be like Nehemiah -- a great leader who never let attacks or difficulties dissuade him from confidence in what he believed You had called him to accomplish. And give me words of encouragement for the people You have called me to lead. May we, in Your strength and power, accomplish all that You have called us to do.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Title: Three Short Thoughts / Topic: Inspiration
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2; Psalm 133; Luke 22
Today I will be sharing three short thoughts on portions of today's reading that spoke to me.
#1 The Conflict Of The Ages
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:19-20
Nehemiah 2
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."
Observation/Application: The conflict we see here between Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel on one side versus Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem over Jerusalem is the same fire which burns in the Promised Land today. The verbal attacks from Israel's enemies has a similar tone today of accusations of lawbreaking (stealing the land of the Palestinians), and rebellion against authority (breaking UN resolutions) as it did then. In verse 20 Nehemiah correctly states the truth that God's covenant for the possession of the land is only for the Jews (the descendants of Isaac) and not for the Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael). (See Genesis 17:19-21).
#2 Unity Brings Blessing
Scripture: Psalm 133:1, 3
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!...
3 For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Observation/Application: This beautiful scripture about unity among God's people has an important promise: God's blessing is given to His people through unity. If you want to get God's blessing, live in unity with your brothers!
#3 A Secret To Powerful Prayer
Scripture: Luke 22:41, 44-45
41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed...44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
Observation/Application: Note the emotional state of both Jesus and His disciples as they go to the garden to pray: Jesus is "in anguish" and the disciples have "sorrow." These seem quite similar to me as both are draining emotional responses to great distress or loss. However while the disciples reaction is to fall asleep, "exhausted from sorrow," Jesus "prayed more earnestly." This tells me of an intensity which Jesus used to focus His emotional weakness upon the strength of God the Father, while the disciples allowed their emotional weakness to drain them to the point of exhaustion. The point of this is that we must press hard into God when we are at our physical and emotional low points in order to have prevailing prayer.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for speaking to me through Your word. I thank You that Your mercies toward me are renewed every morning and that You have new things for me to learn and do every day. Help me to be alert and tuned in to you to pick up on what You have for me and to do it will all my heart, and mind, and strength.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today I will be sharing three short thoughts on portions of today's reading that spoke to me.
#1 The Conflict Of The Ages
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:19-20
Nehemiah 2
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."
Observation/Application: The conflict we see here between Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel on one side versus Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem over Jerusalem is the same fire which burns in the Promised Land today. The verbal attacks from Israel's enemies has a similar tone today of accusations of lawbreaking (stealing the land of the Palestinians), and rebellion against authority (breaking UN resolutions) as it did then. In verse 20 Nehemiah correctly states the truth that God's covenant for the possession of the land is only for the Jews (the descendants of Isaac) and not for the Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael). (See Genesis 17:19-21).
#2 Unity Brings Blessing
Scripture: Psalm 133:1, 3
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!...
3 For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Observation/Application: This beautiful scripture about unity among God's people has an important promise: God's blessing is given to His people through unity. If you want to get God's blessing, live in unity with your brothers!
#3 A Secret To Powerful Prayer
Scripture: Luke 22:41, 44-45
41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed...44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
Observation/Application: Note the emotional state of both Jesus and His disciples as they go to the garden to pray: Jesus is "in anguish" and the disciples have "sorrow." These seem quite similar to me as both are draining emotional responses to great distress or loss. However while the disciples reaction is to fall asleep, "exhausted from sorrow," Jesus "prayed more earnestly." This tells me of an intensity which Jesus used to focus His emotional weakness upon the strength of God the Father, while the disciples allowed their emotional weakness to drain them to the point of exhaustion. The point of this is that we must press hard into God when we are at our physical and emotional low points in order to have prevailing prayer.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for speaking to me through Your word. I thank You that Your mercies toward me are renewed every morning and that You have new things for me to learn and do every day. Help me to be alert and tuned in to you to pick up on what You have for me and to do it will all my heart, and mind, and strength.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Title: Dead, But OK! / Topic: Eternal Perspective
Today's Reading: Ezra 9; Ezra 10; Psalm 131; Luke 21
Scripture: Luke 21:16-18
16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
Observation: Wait a minute! Jesus tells them that some of them will be killed, then He says "But not a hair of your head will perish." What does He mean by "not a hair of your head will perish" if some of them will actually be killed? Obviously, He is talking about something other than physical injury or damage. It's like saying, "you'll be killed, but you won't be harmed." So what does Jesus mean? He is talking in eternal terms. Because His followers have their eternal destiny assured, whatever happens here doesn't shake that.
Application: This clearly tells me that I still have some re-calibrating to do. The idea of being killed but not harmed is definitely foreign to me. So I need to refocus on heaven, keeping my head up and my gaze on Him. And I must keep it in clear focus that as long as I am in the hands of the Almighty, nothing that anyone else can do to me, can really harm me in the ultimate sense.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord. It's good to be in Your hands and know that You have been preparing a place for me where You are. My destiny is secure and this world is not my home. Keep me strong in the knowledge that whatever happens, I will be with You for all eternity.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 21:16-18
16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
Observation: Wait a minute! Jesus tells them that some of them will be killed, then He says "But not a hair of your head will perish." What does He mean by "not a hair of your head will perish" if some of them will actually be killed? Obviously, He is talking about something other than physical injury or damage. It's like saying, "you'll be killed, but you won't be harmed." So what does Jesus mean? He is talking in eternal terms. Because His followers have their eternal destiny assured, whatever happens here doesn't shake that.
Application: This clearly tells me that I still have some re-calibrating to do. The idea of being killed but not harmed is definitely foreign to me. So I need to refocus on heaven, keeping my head up and my gaze on Him. And I must keep it in clear focus that as long as I am in the hands of the Almighty, nothing that anyone else can do to me, can really harm me in the ultimate sense.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord. It's good to be in Your hands and know that You have been preparing a place for me where You are. My destiny is secure and this world is not my home. Keep me strong in the knowledge that whatever happens, I will be with You for all eternity.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Title: A Good Question / Topic: Authority
Today’s Reading: Ezra 7; Ezra 8; Luke 20
Scripture: Luke 20:1-2
1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"
Observation: This really is a good question that the Jewish leaders asked. If somebody is doing something without the proper authority, there's a problem. They wanted to know where Jesus' authority came from. Unfortunately, they were not really interested in the answer to this question. They only wanted to get rid of Him and were looking for any cause to do it. That's why Jesus challenges them and ultimately refuses to answer. But it is still a good question.
Application: The authority that God gave Jesus to bring His ministry is the same authority that Jesus has given to us. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” Jesus said. Understanding and operating in that authority can give me a greater confidence than just acting on my own, even with the best of intentions. I need to be more mindful that I have been sent and commissioned by Jesus to be an ambassador from heaven to earth. And not just me, but everyone who is truly saved by God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to walk with confidence as Jesus did, knowing that You sent Him. May I be ever mindful of your commissioning and empowering as I encounter those You bring across my path. Thank You that I am not on my own, but that You are with me always. May I live boldly and confidently as Your ambassador.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Title: Unredeemable? / Topic: The Heart Of God
Today’s Reading: Esther 9; Esther 10; Luke 19
Scripture: Luke 19:1-9
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Observation: Zacchaeus was one unpopular person. His fellow Jews regarded him as a traitor and collaborator with the Romans as he had accepted the job to collect taxes for them. (The tax collectors were also notoriously corrupt with bribery and extortion very common.) People hated Zacchaeus. They had written him off. There was nothing good about him and there never could be. But Jesus looked at Zacchaeus and thought differently. He reached out to him and Zacchaeus responded. The people were actually mad at Jesus and began to complain. But Zacchaeus heard and responded with true signs of a changed life. He put his money where his mouth was.
Application: While we might be tempted to look at certain people and write them off as unredeemable, Jesus never does. He sees into the heart and knows that even people with a checkered history have a need for a touch from God. We need to gain this understanding from God and to look at everyone through His eyes. Stop looking only on the outward stuff, and ask God to show you the person's heart. Offer love to people and see who opens up to God.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You never give up on people. Thank You for not passing Zacchaeus by when everyone thought You should. And thank You for not passing me by. Help me to see people through Your eyes and to reach out to them with Your grace and compassion that many will be saved.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 19:1-9
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Observation: Zacchaeus was one unpopular person. His fellow Jews regarded him as a traitor and collaborator with the Romans as he had accepted the job to collect taxes for them. (The tax collectors were also notoriously corrupt with bribery and extortion very common.) People hated Zacchaeus. They had written him off. There was nothing good about him and there never could be. But Jesus looked at Zacchaeus and thought differently. He reached out to him and Zacchaeus responded. The people were actually mad at Jesus and began to complain. But Zacchaeus heard and responded with true signs of a changed life. He put his money where his mouth was.
Application: While we might be tempted to look at certain people and write them off as unredeemable, Jesus never does. He sees into the heart and knows that even people with a checkered history have a need for a touch from God. We need to gain this understanding from God and to look at everyone through His eyes. Stop looking only on the outward stuff, and ask God to show you the person's heart. Offer love to people and see who opens up to God.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You never give up on people. Thank You for not passing Zacchaeus by when everyone thought You should. And thank You for not passing me by. Help me to see people through Your eyes and to reach out to them with Your grace and compassion that many will be saved.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Title: Old Yeller / Topic: Intensity
Today’s Reading: Esther 3; Esther 4; Esther 5; Esther 6; Esther 7; Esther 8; Luke 18
Scripture: Luke 18
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"...
Observation: People told the blind man to be quiet. They didn't like the shouting -- it was embarrassing to be around a person who was causing a scene. But the blind man didn't listen -- he shouted even more. He was an old yeller. :) And because he yelled and shouted, Jesus came to him and he received his sight.
Application: Most people don't care about others getting a healing, or deliverance, or miracle. They want quiet. They want not to be bothered -- especially by religious fanatics who make too much noise about "what should be kept a private matter." But like the blind man, I need to not be dissuaded by the crowd. If I want something from God, then I have to be willing to be intense and radical to get it. Crowd pleasing does not result in miracles.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a God pleaser and not a crowd pleaser. I want to not care about public opinion but to be as intense as necessary to get Your attention and move heaven on my behalf. Help me to be bolder as I get older.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 18
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"...
Observation: People told the blind man to be quiet. They didn't like the shouting -- it was embarrassing to be around a person who was causing a scene. But the blind man didn't listen -- he shouted even more. He was an old yeller. :) And because he yelled and shouted, Jesus came to him and he received his sight.
Application: Most people don't care about others getting a healing, or deliverance, or miracle. They want quiet. They want not to be bothered -- especially by religious fanatics who make too much noise about "what should be kept a private matter." But like the blind man, I need to not be dissuaded by the crowd. If I want something from God, then I have to be willing to be intense and radical to get it. Crowd pleasing does not result in miracles.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a God pleaser and not a crowd pleaser. I want to not care about public opinion but to be as intense as necessary to get Your attention and move heaven on my behalf. Help me to be bolder as I get older.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Title: Do The Impossible / Topic: Divine Empowerment
Today’s Reading: Esther 1; Esther 2; Psalm 150; Luke 17
Scripture: Luke 17:3 ..."If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
Observation: Anyone who truly understands what Jesus is asking of him must have this response: "Increase my faith!" In other words, Jesus demands are so far beyond my ability that if God doesn't help me, it's just not going to happen.
In the verses above, Jesus is instructing them on forgiveness. He tells them that the person who repeatedly and intentionally sins against them -- doing something offensive, unkind, mean, or hurtful over and over again -- is to be given forgiveness over and over again if he says "I repent" each time he comes back. Well once or twice is one thing, but Jesus gives them the challenge to do it seven times in one day! Clearly, this is beyond my natural abilities. I have to have God's help.
Application: The message of the Gospel is good news -- God has made a way for me to know Him. But the demands of the life of the disciple are impossible without divine empowerment. Any attempt to do it with sheer human effort, even "enlightened" human effort, is doomed to failure. So why try it on my own? I must give it up to God and let Him empower me to do His will.
Prayer: Lord, I cannot do anything of true eternal significance or lasting value without Your help. Empower me -- fill me and use me. And when I am filled up with You, I can do the impossible. Make it so, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 17:3 ..."If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
Observation: Anyone who truly understands what Jesus is asking of him must have this response: "Increase my faith!" In other words, Jesus demands are so far beyond my ability that if God doesn't help me, it's just not going to happen.
In the verses above, Jesus is instructing them on forgiveness. He tells them that the person who repeatedly and intentionally sins against them -- doing something offensive, unkind, mean, or hurtful over and over again -- is to be given forgiveness over and over again if he says "I repent" each time he comes back. Well once or twice is one thing, but Jesus gives them the challenge to do it seven times in one day! Clearly, this is beyond my natural abilities. I have to have God's help.
Application: The message of the Gospel is good news -- God has made a way for me to know Him. But the demands of the life of the disciple are impossible without divine empowerment. Any attempt to do it with sheer human effort, even "enlightened" human effort, is doomed to failure. So why try it on my own? I must give it up to God and let Him empower me to do His will.
Prayer: Lord, I cannot do anything of true eternal significance or lasting value without Your help. Empower me -- fill me and use me. And when I am filled up with You, I can do the impossible. Make it so, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Title: A Descendant Of Who? Topic: Legacy
Today’s Reading: Ezra 5; Ezra 6; Psalm 138; Luke 16
Scripture: Ezra 6:4 So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo...
Observation: I notice that here (and in 5:1) Zechariah is identified as "a descendant of Iddo". I don't know who Iddo was -- I never heard of him before. But he must have been a person who made an impact because Zechariah is claiming him as one of his ancestors. Maybe Iddo was his grandfather or great grandfather or great great grandfather -- we aren't told. As far as I know, Iddo doesn't have any prominence in the famous Bible stories. (I don't know about you but I sure don't remember Iddo in the lion's den or Iddo and Goliath!) But even so, Iddo made an impact with his life which still mattered in Zechariah's day. I don't know if Iddo felt significant or insignificant. I do know that his life left an imprint for generations that followed. They wanted it to be known that they were "a descendant of Iddo."
Application: Every life has the potential to make a lasting impact. Whether renown or unknown, I can make an impact for those who follow me -- maybe for all eternity.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for including Iddo's name to remind us that not all of us will be a Zechariah, or a Daniel, or a David. But we can all be an Iddo. Help us to take whatever it is You have called us to do and do it with an eye to the eternal impact. Give us Your vision and Your power to make it happen.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Ezra 6:4 So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo...
Observation: I notice that here (and in 5:1) Zechariah is identified as "a descendant of Iddo". I don't know who Iddo was -- I never heard of him before. But he must have been a person who made an impact because Zechariah is claiming him as one of his ancestors. Maybe Iddo was his grandfather or great grandfather or great great grandfather -- we aren't told. As far as I know, Iddo doesn't have any prominence in the famous Bible stories. (I don't know about you but I sure don't remember Iddo in the lion's den or Iddo and Goliath!) But even so, Iddo made an impact with his life which still mattered in Zechariah's day. I don't know if Iddo felt significant or insignificant. I do know that his life left an imprint for generations that followed. They wanted it to be known that they were "a descendant of Iddo."
Application: Every life has the potential to make a lasting impact. Whether renown or unknown, I can make an impact for those who follow me -- maybe for all eternity.
A small example of this: When my daughter and sons were in Jr. High and High School, they used to get a certain extra attention at camps and conferences when people found out that they were my kids. "You're Mike Stipech's kid?" When they said "yes" they got a little extra preference because of the people that loved me. They thought it was cool to be "Mike Stipech's kid."Well I want to live all of my life with such earnestness and godliness that those who follow will want to claim me as a part of their lineage. I want to make all the difference I can here and now, so that whether it's widely recognized, or seen by just a few, those whose lives I touch to carry a lasting residue of blessing that they are happy to claim.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for including Iddo's name to remind us that not all of us will be a Zechariah, or a Daniel, or a David. But we can all be an Iddo. Help us to take whatever it is You have called us to do and do it with an eye to the eternal impact. Give us Your vision and Your power to make it happen.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Title: Pigsty Mentality / Topic: Sin's Folly
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Psalm 147; Luke 15
Scripture: Luke 15:13-17
13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!"
Observation: It is always amazing to me what people will put themselves through in their quest to escape God. Or maybe it would be better to say I marvel that people can consider it preferable to eat pigs' food rather than humble pie by turning back to God. Here was this son of a rich man who took his inheritance and blew it on high times and fast living. When the money ran out he ended up on the street. He took a job feeding pigs and became so desperate that the pigs' food actually started looking mighty tasty! Yum! Eventually, he "came to his senses" and said, "What am I doing here?!?" But how long did he let himself exist in this pigsty mentality before he woke up? Why did he let himself get there at all?
Application: Pride, the root of our sin nature, is so destructive. It can push us out of the beautiful place of blessing and into a filthy pigsty and make us think "Hey, this isn't so bad!" Anyone with half a brain can see IT IS SO VERY BAD! But our sin nature holds so much sway over our minds and our thought processes that it can deceive us if we don't see it for what it is and kill it.
Bottom line: Better to put pride and self-will to death daily and submit to a good and loving God than to wake up with a mouthful of pig slop.
Prayer: Lord, keep my mind fixed on You. Give me insight and brothers and sisters with insight to help me see with truth. Keep me from self-deception and thinking based on sin and lies. You have nothing but good things in store for me. Keep me from accepting anything less than Your best.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 15:13-17
13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!"
Observation: It is always amazing to me what people will put themselves through in their quest to escape God. Or maybe it would be better to say I marvel that people can consider it preferable to eat pigs' food rather than humble pie by turning back to God. Here was this son of a rich man who took his inheritance and blew it on high times and fast living. When the money ran out he ended up on the street. He took a job feeding pigs and became so desperate that the pigs' food actually started looking mighty tasty! Yum! Eventually, he "came to his senses" and said, "What am I doing here?!?" But how long did he let himself exist in this pigsty mentality before he woke up? Why did he let himself get there at all?
Application: Pride, the root of our sin nature, is so destructive. It can push us out of the beautiful place of blessing and into a filthy pigsty and make us think "Hey, this isn't so bad!" Anyone with half a brain can see IT IS SO VERY BAD! But our sin nature holds so much sway over our minds and our thought processes that it can deceive us if we don't see it for what it is and kill it.
Bottom line: Better to put pride and self-will to death daily and submit to a good and loving God than to wake up with a mouthful of pig slop.
Prayer: Lord, keep my mind fixed on You. Give me insight and brothers and sisters with insight to help me see with truth. Keep me from self-deception and thinking based on sin and lies. You have nothing but good things in store for me. Keep me from accepting anything less than Your best.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Title: Three Quick Points / Topic: No Compromise
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 10; Zechariah 11; Zechariah 12; Psalm 126; Luke 14
I am sharing three quick points out of three passages from Luke 14.
#1 Title: Looking Wrongly At Jesus
Scripture: Luke 14:1, 26-27, 35-35
Luke 14:1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.
Observation/Application: Here Jesus is carefully watched, but for all of the wrong reasons. Rather than observing Jesus to learn and be transformed or healed or blessed, they have evil judgments in mind and are looking to find some picky sabbath violation that they can use to get rid of Him. What a shame that these people's self-imposed blindness prevents them from seeing even what they are carefully watching: this is their Savior, their only hope for salvation, and they can't see it. It's truly a pity.
Prayer: Lord, help my brokenness to not get in the way of seeing You for what You really are and being open to receive all that You have for me. This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
#2 Title: More Love For Him
Scripture: Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Observation/Application: This scripture always convicts me. There is a demand that Jesus makes clear: we are not to be too attached to our life here. In comparison to our life with Him, we are to hate everything else! I need to love Him more and everything else less.
Prayer: Lord, help!
#3 Title: Mmmm -- Spicy!
Scripture: Luke 14:34 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Observation/Application: Jesus doesn't want bland followers. He wants us to be salty -- spicy! When we try to blend in, we become bland in whatever it is we're in. Don't go there! The unsalty salt doesn't even rate being in the manure pile. (Yikes! How low can you go?)
Prayer: Lord, keep me salty for You. Help me to bring Your amazing flavor to every environment I come into.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I am sharing three quick points out of three passages from Luke 14.
#1 Title: Looking Wrongly At Jesus
Scripture: Luke 14:1, 26-27, 35-35
Luke 14:1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.
Observation/Application: Here Jesus is carefully watched, but for all of the wrong reasons. Rather than observing Jesus to learn and be transformed or healed or blessed, they have evil judgments in mind and are looking to find some picky sabbath violation that they can use to get rid of Him. What a shame that these people's self-imposed blindness prevents them from seeing even what they are carefully watching: this is their Savior, their only hope for salvation, and they can't see it. It's truly a pity.
Prayer: Lord, help my brokenness to not get in the way of seeing You for what You really are and being open to receive all that You have for me. This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
#2 Title: More Love For Him
Scripture: Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Observation/Application: This scripture always convicts me. There is a demand that Jesus makes clear: we are not to be too attached to our life here. In comparison to our life with Him, we are to hate everything else! I need to love Him more and everything else less.
Prayer: Lord, help!
#3 Title: Mmmm -- Spicy!
Scripture: Luke 14:34 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Observation/Application: Jesus doesn't want bland followers. He wants us to be salty -- spicy! When we try to blend in, we become bland in whatever it is we're in. Don't go there! The unsalty salt doesn't even rate being in the manure pile. (Yikes! How low can you go?)
Prayer: Lord, keep me salty for You. Help me to bring Your amazing flavor to every environment I come into.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Title: Make Every Effort / Topic: Spiritual Intensity
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 7; Zechariah 8; Zechariah 9; Luke 13
Scripture: Luke 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."
Observation: The narrow door. Jesus tells us to "make every effort to enter through" it. He tells us that it's not easy. Many try and fail.
Application: I just assume that when people are sincere and make up their minds to try to come to God, they will be able to. But apparently, I am wrong. Jesus says many will try and fail! The imperative command that Jesus gives is to "make every effort!" There is no room for a casual approach, or a "someday" attitude. "Go for it with all you've got!" That's what Jesus is telling us. Apparently, it's a hard target to hit, so don't stop working on it.
Prayer: Lord, I have much to learn about You and Your kingdom. I do want to be one who is truly making every effort to enter through the narrow door. Help me to understand how to do this and to leave behind the unnecessary weights and baggage that hole me back from doing this.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."
Observation: The narrow door. Jesus tells us to "make every effort to enter through" it. He tells us that it's not easy. Many try and fail.
Application: I just assume that when people are sincere and make up their minds to try to come to God, they will be able to. But apparently, I am wrong. Jesus says many will try and fail! The imperative command that Jesus gives is to "make every effort!" There is no room for a casual approach, or a "someday" attitude. "Go for it with all you've got!" That's what Jesus is telling us. Apparently, it's a hard target to hit, so don't stop working on it.
Prayer: Lord, I have much to learn about You and Your kingdom. I do want to be one who is truly making every effort to enter through the narrow door. Help me to understand how to do this and to leave behind the unnecessary weights and baggage that hole me back from doing this.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Title: Are You Rich? / Topic: Priorities
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 4; Zechariah 5; Zechariah 6; Luke 12
Scripture: Luke 12:21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Observation: When I read this verse I am afraid for so many of the people I know who call themselves Christians. I would expect that non believers would be wrapped up in this world and the stuff of this world, but I am increasingly alarmed at the high level of materialistic thinking that I find in so many believers today. We will focus on a purchase for hours, days, weeks, and months -- be it a new car we want, or a boat, or a big screen tv, or that new house, or whatever. But ask us to focus on a spiritual goal or pray for a need over an extended period of time and we just aren't interested -- most Christians do not have any real spiritual stamina.
Application: I want to be "rich toward God." What good is it to get the stuff of this world and have nothing in heaven? It makes no sense yet so many do it.
Bottom Line: Put God first and keep Him first. Start every day on my knees, and go there frequently throughout my day. I must seek Him and His will moment by moment -- living in the "now" with God -- taking Him with me everywhere. Invest myself in God -- my time, energy and money. True riches are only found in Him.
Prayer: Lord, I give my heart, my mind, my soul, my life to You. Once again I am brought to the realization of my need to constantly be refocusing on You. Help me to train my heart to fix itself on You. Lord, I desire to have great riches in You and Your kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 12:21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Observation: When I read this verse I am afraid for so many of the people I know who call themselves Christians. I would expect that non believers would be wrapped up in this world and the stuff of this world, but I am increasingly alarmed at the high level of materialistic thinking that I find in so many believers today. We will focus on a purchase for hours, days, weeks, and months -- be it a new car we want, or a boat, or a big screen tv, or that new house, or whatever. But ask us to focus on a spiritual goal or pray for a need over an extended period of time and we just aren't interested -- most Christians do not have any real spiritual stamina.
Application: I want to be "rich toward God." What good is it to get the stuff of this world and have nothing in heaven? It makes no sense yet so many do it.
Bottom Line: Put God first and keep Him first. Start every day on my knees, and go there frequently throughout my day. I must seek Him and His will moment by moment -- living in the "now" with God -- taking Him with me everywhere. Invest myself in God -- my time, energy and money. True riches are only found in Him.
Prayer: Lord, I give my heart, my mind, my soul, my life to You. Once again I am brought to the realization of my need to constantly be refocusing on You. Help me to train my heart to fix itself on You. Lord, I desire to have great riches in You and Your kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Title: Hinder Or Help? / Topic: Spiritual Leadership
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 1; Zechariah 2; Zechariah 3; Luke 11
Scripture: Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Observation: These self appointed spiritual leaders have not only NOT entered into God's truth and relationship with Him, they have blocked the way for others!
Application: Spiritual leaders have a serious responsibility. Their actions and example have grave implications far beyond themselves. The destiny of others hangs in the balance. What this speaks to me as a spiritual leader is that I must first make sure that I am doing all I can to keep my relationship with Jesus real and authentic, and then get out of the way to let others have direct access to Him for themselves. My words, actions, and attitudes can hinder others who are seeking. I also believe the flip side is true: my actions can encourage those who are seeking the Lord. Of course, that is my goal in my role as a spiritual leader.
Prayer: Lord, keep me close to You. Open my eyes to anything in my leadership that would be a hindrance to anyone who is genuinely seeking You. Help me to distinguish between what is a productive encouragement and what is an unproductive deterrent in what I do, say, and model for those You have called me to lead.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Observation: These self appointed spiritual leaders have not only NOT entered into God's truth and relationship with Him, they have blocked the way for others!
Application: Spiritual leaders have a serious responsibility. Their actions and example have grave implications far beyond themselves. The destiny of others hangs in the balance. What this speaks to me as a spiritual leader is that I must first make sure that I am doing all I can to keep my relationship with Jesus real and authentic, and then get out of the way to let others have direct access to Him for themselves. My words, actions, and attitudes can hinder others who are seeking. I also believe the flip side is true: my actions can encourage those who are seeking the Lord. Of course, that is my goal in my role as a spiritual leader.
Prayer: Lord, keep me close to You. Open my eyes to anything in my leadership that would be a hindrance to anyone who is genuinely seeking You. Help me to distinguish between what is a productive encouragement and what is an unproductive deterrent in what I do, say, and model for those You have called me to lead.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Title: Three Brief Thoughts / Topic: God's Will
Today’s Reading: Haggai 1; Haggai 2; Psalm 129; Luke 10
Today I am giving a brief thought on three verses that jumped off the page at me.
#1 Title: God's Make It Happen Person / Topic: God's Power
Scripture: Haggai 2:23 " '...I will make you like my signet ring...' "
Observation/Application: The signet ring was the sign of the authority of the king. He would use it like a signature (notice the similarity in the words: signet -- signature) to express his will that something is to be done. Nothing could stop what the king had sealed with his signet ring. This is a powerful promise to Zerubbabel. Imagine the awesome responsibility that came to this human leader. Wow! Lord, help me to be a man that You could trust Your power to.
#2 Title: A Dangerous Question / Topic: Challenge
Scripture: Luke 10:29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Observation/Application: This expert in the law had just given Jesus a very good answer but we are told that "he wanted to justify himself," so he asked this question of clarification to show how great he was. (I don't think he would have asked it if he didn't think he was really impressive.) It turned out to be a dangerous question because Jesus told a parable that challenged him at the level of his pride and his prejudice. Moral: be careful what you ask God. You might not like the answer.
#3 Title: The One Necessary Thing / Topic: The Priority
Scripture: Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed..."
Observation/Application: This little story always convicts me because I am a Martha-type person. I am working on not being this kind and converting to a Mary-type person. The Lord says, "only one thing is needed." And the message is: The main thing is the keep the main thing the main thing.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your word and the power it brings to my life. You know me through and through, the good and bad, my strengths and my weaknesses, my failures and my victories, my faith and my fear. And You still love me enough to give Your life to me. Hallelujah! Lord I rejoice in Your great love and acceptance. Empower me to take it to the next level.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today I am giving a brief thought on three verses that jumped off the page at me.
#1 Title: God's Make It Happen Person / Topic: God's Power
Scripture: Haggai 2:23 " '...I will make you like my signet ring...' "
Observation/Application: The signet ring was the sign of the authority of the king. He would use it like a signature (notice the similarity in the words: signet -- signature) to express his will that something is to be done. Nothing could stop what the king had sealed with his signet ring. This is a powerful promise to Zerubbabel. Imagine the awesome responsibility that came to this human leader. Wow! Lord, help me to be a man that You could trust Your power to.
#2 Title: A Dangerous Question / Topic: Challenge
Scripture: Luke 10:29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Observation/Application: This expert in the law had just given Jesus a very good answer but we are told that "he wanted to justify himself," so he asked this question of clarification to show how great he was. (I don't think he would have asked it if he didn't think he was really impressive.) It turned out to be a dangerous question because Jesus told a parable that challenged him at the level of his pride and his prejudice. Moral: be careful what you ask God. You might not like the answer.
#3 Title: The One Necessary Thing / Topic: The Priority
Scripture: Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed..."
Observation/Application: This little story always convicts me because I am a Martha-type person. I am working on not being this kind and converting to a Mary-type person. The Lord says, "only one thing is needed." And the message is: The main thing is the keep the main thing the main thing.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your word and the power it brings to my life. You know me through and through, the good and bad, my strengths and my weaknesses, my failures and my victories, my faith and my fear. And You still love me enough to give Your life to me. Hallelujah! Lord I rejoice in Your great love and acceptance. Empower me to take it to the next level.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Title: The Wrong Help / Topic: Discernment
Today’s Reading: Ezra 4; Psalm 113
Scripture: Ezra 4:1-5
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."
4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. 5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Observation: At first glance, it seems like Zerubbable and Jeshua blew it here by responding so harshly to the non-Jewish people who offered to help with the rebuilding of the temple. But their reaction shows what was really in their hearts the whole time: they did not want the temple rebuilt. Their concerted action to "work against [the Jews] and frustrate their plans" reveal that they would have been doing this covertly (i.e. sabotaging the project) had they been allowed "to help."
Application: The enemies of God can sound and look good -- even friendly and helpful. But it is important to have spiritual discernment especially when considering who will be involved in important spiritual work. It is better to have a small force of true believers than a larger number salted with marginal or non believers. (Such is one lesson of the story of Gideon.) It takes courage and faith to say "no" to help, but it is what needs to be done if the help offered is not the right help. The Psalmist wrote: "I look unto the hills. Where does my help come from? [Not from the hills.] My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2 PMS Version*)
Prayer: Lord, You indeed are all the help I need. I thank You that You are always there and ready to help me when I need it. Give me Your wisdom and discernment to distiguish between the right and wrong kinds of help. May I remember to always call on You in my time of need. Thank You for Your great faithfulness, o God my Father.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
*The Pastor Mike Stipech Version is what I type out from memory. It may not be exact, but it gets the point across.
Scripture: Ezra 4:1-5
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."
4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. 5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Observation: At first glance, it seems like Zerubbable and Jeshua blew it here by responding so harshly to the non-Jewish people who offered to help with the rebuilding of the temple. But their reaction shows what was really in their hearts the whole time: they did not want the temple rebuilt. Their concerted action to "work against [the Jews] and frustrate their plans" reveal that they would have been doing this covertly (i.e. sabotaging the project) had they been allowed "to help."
Application: The enemies of God can sound and look good -- even friendly and helpful. But it is important to have spiritual discernment especially when considering who will be involved in important spiritual work. It is better to have a small force of true believers than a larger number salted with marginal or non believers. (Such is one lesson of the story of Gideon.) It takes courage and faith to say "no" to help, but it is what needs to be done if the help offered is not the right help. The Psalmist wrote: "I look unto the hills. Where does my help come from? [Not from the hills.] My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2 PMS Version*)
Prayer: Lord, You indeed are all the help I need. I thank You that You are always there and ready to help me when I need it. Give me Your wisdom and discernment to distiguish between the right and wrong kinds of help. May I remember to always call on You in my time of need. Thank You for Your great faithfulness, o God my Father.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
*The Pastor Mike Stipech Version is what I type out from memory. It may not be exact, but it gets the point across.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Title: The Indiscriminate Farmer / Topic: Evangelism
Today’s Reading: Ezra 2; Ezra 3; Luke 8
Scripture: Luke 8:4-8
4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Observation: The farmer sows his seed. And as any good farmer does, he observes the soil as he sows. Now I'm not a farmer, but is seems to me that most farmers would only spread their seed on the good areas of soil where the seed had the best opportunity to produce. But the farmer in this story doesn't do it that way. He distributes his seed everywhere equally. Why? Because this seed is the Gospel and it is imperative that all soil gets an opportunity to receive the seed -- even soil that looks hard, or rocky, or thorny. I think that even among these apparently unfruitful soils, there may be a patch here or a patch there where the seed will go in and take root and produce. But even if not, this farmer is determined that no one could ever say, "You missed this soil over here! You never gave it a chance!"
Application: I need to learn from this farmer. I only want to put the seed out where I think it will grow. I don't want to waste my time sharing the Gospel where obviously people won't say "yes!" Only problem with this is how can I really know? It is only my pride that makes me think I can tell in advance where the seed will produce. I have too much confidence in my own ESP (Expert Seed Prognostication) and not enough confidence in the Seed itself. Plus, when I say "I don't want to waste my time," what's up with that?!? Who am I kidding? My time, my whole life, belongs to God anyway. And it's not as if I spend every moment so wisely. (Watching TV, playing computer games, surfing eBay... these aren't exactly the epitome of careful time management.) So I need to recalibrate my thinking. I need to share the Gospel every chance I get. I do not like this idea. I'm actually not wanting to write this because it means I have to change -- I have to get much bolder -- I have to be more evangelistic. But I guess if it's good enough for the Sower in Jesus' story, it's good enough for me. Lord, help me!
Prayer: Father, I believe. Help me in my unbelief. As intimidating as this thought is for me, Lord, I know it is right. Thank You for speaking to my heart this morning. Help me to see the opportunities all around me to spread Your seed onto every soil, regardless of my opinion of it. And, Lord of the Harvest, bring increased fruitfulness into my life. Help me to win souls. Give me more souls for Your Kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 8:4-8
4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Observation: The farmer sows his seed. And as any good farmer does, he observes the soil as he sows. Now I'm not a farmer, but is seems to me that most farmers would only spread their seed on the good areas of soil where the seed had the best opportunity to produce. But the farmer in this story doesn't do it that way. He distributes his seed everywhere equally. Why? Because this seed is the Gospel and it is imperative that all soil gets an opportunity to receive the seed -- even soil that looks hard, or rocky, or thorny. I think that even among these apparently unfruitful soils, there may be a patch here or a patch there where the seed will go in and take root and produce. But even if not, this farmer is determined that no one could ever say, "You missed this soil over here! You never gave it a chance!"
Application: I need to learn from this farmer. I only want to put the seed out where I think it will grow. I don't want to waste my time sharing the Gospel where obviously people won't say "yes!" Only problem with this is how can I really know? It is only my pride that makes me think I can tell in advance where the seed will produce. I have too much confidence in my own ESP (Expert Seed Prognostication) and not enough confidence in the Seed itself. Plus, when I say "I don't want to waste my time," what's up with that?!? Who am I kidding? My time, my whole life, belongs to God anyway. And it's not as if I spend every moment so wisely. (Watching TV, playing computer games, surfing eBay... these aren't exactly the epitome of careful time management.) So I need to recalibrate my thinking. I need to share the Gospel every chance I get. I do not like this idea. I'm actually not wanting to write this because it means I have to change -- I have to get much bolder -- I have to be more evangelistic. But I guess if it's good enough for the Sower in Jesus' story, it's good enough for me. Lord, help me!
Prayer: Father, I believe. Help me in my unbelief. As intimidating as this thought is for me, Lord, I know it is right. Thank You for speaking to my heart this morning. Help me to see the opportunities all around me to spread Your seed onto every soil, regardless of my opinion of it. And, Lord of the Harvest, bring increased fruitfulness into my life. Help me to win souls. Give me more souls for Your Kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Title: Amazing Words / Topic: Forgiveness
Today’s Reading: Ezra 1; Psalm 84; Psalm 85; Luke 7
Scripture: Luke 7:47-50
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Observation: These are amazing words: "Your sins are forgiven." I think that there are no more powerful words that could be spoken. And not just spoken, but actually done. The people around Jesus thought He was overstepping. They didn't understand, and they didn't receive forgiveness. The woman knew that He meant what He said -- and He could and would deliver on His word. And she received forgiveness. Oh how sweet that must have been for her! The removal of the tarnish of years of broken living. Oh happy day!
Application: This is the reason I follow Jesus. There is no other one who can forgive sins. Only Jesus. And He delights in removing the weights and burdens from my shoulders -- all I need do is love much and believe. Like this woman. This woman bowed at His feet. She poured a fortune's worth of expensive perfume on Him. She wept and kissed Him. She didn't care what anyone thought. She just wanted Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 7:47-50
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Observation: These are amazing words: "Your sins are forgiven." I think that there are no more powerful words that could be spoken. And not just spoken, but actually done. The people around Jesus thought He was overstepping. They didn't understand, and they didn't receive forgiveness. The woman knew that He meant what He said -- and He could and would deliver on His word. And she received forgiveness. Oh how sweet that must have been for her! The removal of the tarnish of years of broken living. Oh happy day!
Application: This is the reason I follow Jesus. There is no other one who can forgive sins. Only Jesus. And He delights in removing the weights and burdens from my shoulders -- all I need do is love much and believe. Like this woman. This woman bowed at His feet. She poured a fortune's worth of expensive perfume on Him. She wept and kissed Him. She didn't care what anyone thought. She just wanted Jesus.
'Tis so sweet to trust in JesusPrayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to make it possible that my sins might be forgiven. And thank You, Jesus, for dying for my sins, and taking the penalty due me. I thank You that the words, "Your sins are forgiven" applies to my life because of the blood of Jesus. May I live in the joy and power of Your forgiveness every day and may I extend forgiveness to others.
Just to take Him at His word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know "thus saith the Lord"
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus
O for grace to trust Him more
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Title: The Religious / Topic: Walking In Truth
Today’s Reading: Daniel 11; Daniel 12; Luke 6
Scripture: Luke 6:6-10
6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
9 Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Observation: What a contrast: Jesus, who is God, caring and healing; vs. The Religious (Pharisees and teachers of the law), with no concern for hurting people, claiming to represent God, judging and conspiring. Notice that what they are focused on is Sabbath Violations -- they have no interest in seeing a man healed -- no their only concern is of their pet issue: "Don't do anything on the Sabbath that we wouldn't do!" Of course, since The Religious never perform healing due to their lack of true spiritual power, anyone who heals anytime is suspect. But if someone heals on the Sabbath... well, that's a Violation! When Jesus asks them to think, really think, about their Sabbath beliefs they remain silent. (See Mark 3:3-5.) Dante wrote: "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of great moral crises maintain their neutrality." The silence of The Religious is a sign of their great personal moral wickedness. And once the man is healed, they immediately begin to conspire of "what they might do to Jesus." So let me get this straight: it is not OK to heal on the Sabbath (of course God does all healing), but it is just fine to have a meeting to conspire to kill someone you hate? Interesting values.
Application: My focus must be on Jesus. And I need to listen to the Lord to examine my beliefs, especially as they are manifested in my words and actions. It is easy to see how bad the Religious were in this story. But I can fall into similar kinds of blindness and hypocrisy without knowing it and, unless I listen to God and the people around me, I can dig in -- remaining in that place of dysfunction and wickedness, harming others and myself. And I can feel righteous and justified in the process. Evil is insidious. None of us is above the pull of it. We have to stay open and seeking -- confessing and repenting -- if we will be truly free and growing in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are ever calling me and that You enable me to hear Your voice above the call of evil. I choose to respond to Your call and to forsake sin and the daily temptations that are common to all humanity: lust, greed, pride, and sloth. Strengthen me in my inner being to hear You more clearly and to respond with instantaneous obedience to Your initial promptings. Keep me from entering the realm of the Religious. I want to be Yours one hundred percent.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 6:6-10
6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
9 Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Observation: What a contrast: Jesus, who is God, caring and healing; vs. The Religious (Pharisees and teachers of the law), with no concern for hurting people, claiming to represent God, judging and conspiring. Notice that what they are focused on is Sabbath Violations -- they have no interest in seeing a man healed -- no their only concern is of their pet issue: "Don't do anything on the Sabbath that we wouldn't do!" Of course, since The Religious never perform healing due to their lack of true spiritual power, anyone who heals anytime is suspect. But if someone heals on the Sabbath... well, that's a Violation! When Jesus asks them to think, really think, about their Sabbath beliefs they remain silent. (See Mark 3:3-5.) Dante wrote: "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of great moral crises maintain their neutrality." The silence of The Religious is a sign of their great personal moral wickedness. And once the man is healed, they immediately begin to conspire of "what they might do to Jesus." So let me get this straight: it is not OK to heal on the Sabbath (of course God does all healing), but it is just fine to have a meeting to conspire to kill someone you hate? Interesting values.
Application: My focus must be on Jesus. And I need to listen to the Lord to examine my beliefs, especially as they are manifested in my words and actions. It is easy to see how bad the Religious were in this story. But I can fall into similar kinds of blindness and hypocrisy without knowing it and, unless I listen to God and the people around me, I can dig in -- remaining in that place of dysfunction and wickedness, harming others and myself. And I can feel righteous and justified in the process. Evil is insidious. None of us is above the pull of it. We have to stay open and seeking -- confessing and repenting -- if we will be truly free and growing in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are ever calling me and that You enable me to hear Your voice above the call of evil. I choose to respond to Your call and to forsake sin and the daily temptations that are common to all humanity: lust, greed, pride, and sloth. Strengthen me in my inner being to hear You more clearly and to respond with instantaneous obedience to Your initial promptings. Keep me from entering the realm of the Religious. I want to be Yours one hundred percent.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Title: The Humbling Tie / Topic: Humility
Today’s Reading: Daniel 9; Daniel 10; Psalm 123; Luke 5
Scripture: Luke 5:27-32
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Observation: Oh the religious types! Jesus had them in His day and we have them in ours. They want religion but only the external, showy kind. They liked being around Jesus, but who wouldn't? But He often rubbed them the wrong way. They wanted Him to go with them to their "nice" gatherings with the "nice" people. Here He was at a rowdy party with "sinners"! Oh my! But I love Jesus' answer. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Application: It's the sinners who Jesus came for. That's what I am. That is the thing that all true believers have in common -- our sin that brought us to need Jesus in the first place. Those who hide, or are unaware, or in denial, or don't admit their sin don't need saving. I had a man tell me once that he didn't need a savior and didn't need anyone to die for him. He was right. And he was wrong.
Bottom line: Remembering that it is my sin that is my first point of connection with other believers will help me keep my feet on the ground and my heart humble. I want to avoid becoming religious. Religious people tend toward pride and judgmentalism. Stay humble and keep it simple: I'm a sinner saved by grace.
Prayer: Father, thank You for saving this sinner. I am blessed to be Your child and I ask You to help me to keep my heart in the place of humility and simplicity. I just want to be open to all of Your goodness so that I can be fully transformed into the image of Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 5:27-32
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Observation: Oh the religious types! Jesus had them in His day and we have them in ours. They want religion but only the external, showy kind. They liked being around Jesus, but who wouldn't? But He often rubbed them the wrong way. They wanted Him to go with them to their "nice" gatherings with the "nice" people. Here He was at a rowdy party with "sinners"! Oh my! But I love Jesus' answer. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Application: It's the sinners who Jesus came for. That's what I am. That is the thing that all true believers have in common -- our sin that brought us to need Jesus in the first place. Those who hide, or are unaware, or in denial, or don't admit their sin don't need saving. I had a man tell me once that he didn't need a savior and didn't need anyone to die for him. He was right. And he was wrong.
Bottom line: Remembering that it is my sin that is my first point of connection with other believers will help me keep my feet on the ground and my heart humble. I want to avoid becoming religious. Religious people tend toward pride and judgmentalism. Stay humble and keep it simple: I'm a sinner saved by grace.
Prayer: Father, thank You for saving this sinner. I am blessed to be Your child and I ask You to help me to keep my heart in the place of humility and simplicity. I just want to be open to all of Your goodness so that I can be fully transformed into the image of Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Title: Heavy Lifting / Topic: Spiritual Warfare
Today’s Reading: Daniel 7; Daniel 8; Psalm 137; Luke 4
Scripture: Daniel 7:15, 28; 8:17, 27
Daniel 7:15 "I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me...
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 8:17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate...
27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days... I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Observation: I love Daniel -- both the book and the man. And one of the things I love about it is the fact that Daniel is real -- he's authentic. Here he shares the emotional weight of the visions he saw. I notice how severely impacted he was, maybe even traumatized by the experiences of the visions. Check out the language: "deeply troubled," "terrified," "exhausted and lay ill for several days," etc. These visions had no small effect on Daniel. He was actually laid up physically because of the emotional drain of the experience -- he took a real emotional hit.
Application: What I take from this is that there is a level of spiritual function that has a high cost associated with it. It is intense. Spiritual warfare is probably the most appropriate term for this but there most of what we call "spiritual warfare" does not approach the level of what I see here in Daniel.
Bottom line: I must prepare myself for greater depths and dimensions of spiritual life. There are demands that Daniel was able to address that required great personal spiritual strength. That is what I want to have and that is where I want to be. It's time to grow up and step up.
Prayer: Lord, help me. I have been functioning on a level spiritually that is way below what I read here of my brother Daniel. I want to be able to be used by You to make the kind of impact that Daniel did. Help me to grow and strengthen myself to be fit and able to handle the heavy lifting of spiritual service.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Daniel 7:15, 28; 8:17, 27
Daniel 7:15 "I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me...
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 8:17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate...
27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days... I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Observation: I love Daniel -- both the book and the man. And one of the things I love about it is the fact that Daniel is real -- he's authentic. Here he shares the emotional weight of the visions he saw. I notice how severely impacted he was, maybe even traumatized by the experiences of the visions. Check out the language: "deeply troubled," "terrified," "exhausted and lay ill for several days," etc. These visions had no small effect on Daniel. He was actually laid up physically because of the emotional drain of the experience -- he took a real emotional hit.
Application: What I take from this is that there is a level of spiritual function that has a high cost associated with it. It is intense. Spiritual warfare is probably the most appropriate term for this but there most of what we call "spiritual warfare" does not approach the level of what I see here in Daniel.
Bottom line: I must prepare myself for greater depths and dimensions of spiritual life. There are demands that Daniel was able to address that required great personal spiritual strength. That is what I want to have and that is where I want to be. It's time to grow up and step up.
Prayer: Lord, help me. I have been functioning on a level spiritually that is way below what I read here of my brother Daniel. I want to be able to be used by You to make the kind of impact that Daniel did. Help me to grow and strengthen myself to be fit and able to handle the heavy lifting of spiritual service.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Title: The Writing On My Wall / Topic: Hearing From God
Today’s Reading: Daniel 5; Daniel 6; Psalm 130; Luke 3
Scripture: Daniel 5:24-26
24 "...[God] sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
25 "This is the inscription that was written:
Mene , Mene , Tekel , Parsin
26 "This is what these words mean..."
Observation: God sent a hand to write on the wall to tell King Belshazzar what He thought of him. For Belshazzar, this was terrifying and the message grim and foreboding. As I read about this experience, I had this thought: if God wanted to write on my wall to tell me what He thinks of me, what would it say? Would it be good news or bad news? I think it would be mostly good news. (I often have a sense in my spirit (usually during intimate times of worship) that God is pleased with me.) But, there could likely also be some words of correction, disappointment, maybe even rebuke.
Application: I need to be giving more thoughtful consideration to what God would say, and then purpose to actually look for the writing on the wall and listen for His voice. I think God does communicate to me directly more than I know. He is sending more than I am receiving. I think I don't tune in sometimes because I mainly expect judgment from God, and I forget that, as my Father, He also wants to give me praise, encouragement, and comfort. That sounds odd to say that God wants to give me praise, but I think it's true. I know I like to praise my own children and grandchildren -- and they don't have to be perfect for me to want to praise them. I believe God is the same with me.
Prayer: So, Father, help me to read the writing on my wall. Help me to hear Your voice, to know just what it is that You think of me. I want and need to know. And I want to please You and make You proud of me. You are my Father. Thank You for adopting me as Your own child. Help me to stop striving to be perfect and to rest in Your encouraging and nurturing love.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Daniel 5:24-26
24 "...[God] sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
25 "This is the inscription that was written:
Mene , Mene , Tekel , Parsin
26 "This is what these words mean..."
Observation: God sent a hand to write on the wall to tell King Belshazzar what He thought of him. For Belshazzar, this was terrifying and the message grim and foreboding. As I read about this experience, I had this thought: if God wanted to write on my wall to tell me what He thinks of me, what would it say? Would it be good news or bad news? I think it would be mostly good news. (I often have a sense in my spirit (usually during intimate times of worship) that God is pleased with me.) But, there could likely also be some words of correction, disappointment, maybe even rebuke.
Application: I need to be giving more thoughtful consideration to what God would say, and then purpose to actually look for the writing on the wall and listen for His voice. I think God does communicate to me directly more than I know. He is sending more than I am receiving. I think I don't tune in sometimes because I mainly expect judgment from God, and I forget that, as my Father, He also wants to give me praise, encouragement, and comfort. That sounds odd to say that God wants to give me praise, but I think it's true. I know I like to praise my own children and grandchildren -- and they don't have to be perfect for me to want to praise them. I believe God is the same with me.
Prayer: So, Father, help me to read the writing on my wall. Help me to hear Your voice, to know just what it is that You think of me. I want and need to know. And I want to please You and make You proud of me. You are my Father. Thank You for adopting me as Your own child. Help me to stop striving to be perfect and to rest in Your encouraging and nurturing love.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Title: The Night Crew / Topic: The Invisible Realm
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 47; Ezekiel 48; Luke 2
Scripture: Luke 2:8-9
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Observation: These shepherds are out at work, minding their sheep and minding their own business. Then God shows up -- an impressive angelic image and the glow of God appear out of the darkness -- and they are freaked out. The text tells us "they were terrified." Of course, we now know that the angels were there to announce the birth of Jesus. But the shepherds first response was fear.
Application:
#1 You never know when God will show up. These shepherds were the night crew. They were the last ones hired, or they drew the short straw. In any event, all the preferred shepherds had gone home for the night to be with their families and these guys were stuck watching the sheep all night long out in the fields. The last thing they expected was an angel to show up. You never know when God will show up.
#2 "...and they were terrified." I often think how great it would be to see the Lord or to see an angel, but the first reaction would inevitably be shock -- terrifying and overwhelming. That's pretty much the universal reaction I find in the Bible whenever someone sees and angel: people are afraid. The truth is that while I believe in the invisible realm, with angels and demons and all, I have only a vague idea of what is actually going on. And were I to actually be in the middle it, it would be a real shock. I will see it and I will be shocked, but I will adjust and eventually get comfortable with it. In fact, I will be able to operate in that realm as will all of God's people. (The truth is, we are supposed to be operating in that realm through spiritual warfare now.)
Prayer: Lord, You and Your forces are working behind the scenes on behalf of Your children. Thank You. Help me to function with positive power in the spiritual realm. Help all Your people to get the vision for interacting with the spiritual realm to make things happen. Show me how -- teach me, Lord. And help me to be ready whenever You show up.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 2:8-9
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Observation: These shepherds are out at work, minding their sheep and minding their own business. Then God shows up -- an impressive angelic image and the glow of God appear out of the darkness -- and they are freaked out. The text tells us "they were terrified." Of course, we now know that the angels were there to announce the birth of Jesus. But the shepherds first response was fear.
Application:
#1 You never know when God will show up. These shepherds were the night crew. They were the last ones hired, or they drew the short straw. In any event, all the preferred shepherds had gone home for the night to be with their families and these guys were stuck watching the sheep all night long out in the fields. The last thing they expected was an angel to show up. You never know when God will show up.
#2 "...and they were terrified." I often think how great it would be to see the Lord or to see an angel, but the first reaction would inevitably be shock -- terrifying and overwhelming. That's pretty much the universal reaction I find in the Bible whenever someone sees and angel: people are afraid. The truth is that while I believe in the invisible realm, with angels and demons and all, I have only a vague idea of what is actually going on. And were I to actually be in the middle it, it would be a real shock. I will see it and I will be shocked, but I will adjust and eventually get comfortable with it. In fact, I will be able to operate in that realm as will all of God's people. (The truth is, we are supposed to be operating in that realm through spiritual warfare now.)
Prayer: Lord, You and Your forces are working behind the scenes on behalf of Your children. Thank You. Help me to function with positive power in the spiritual realm. Help all Your people to get the vision for interacting with the spiritual realm to make things happen. Show me how -- teach me, Lord. And help me to be ready whenever You show up.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Title: Righteous Standards / Topic: Weights And Measures
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 45; Ezekiel 46; Luke 1
Scripture: Ezekiel 45:9-12
9 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: You have gone far enough, O princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign LORD. 10 You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath. 11 The ephah and the bath are to be the same size, the bath containing a tenth of a homer and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer is to be the standard measure for both. 12 The shekel is to consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels equal one mina.' "
Observation: God speaks through Ezekiel to the "princes of Israel," that is, those who have the wealth and power at the highest levels. And in this passage He warns them to use weights and measures that are honest and fair. One of the means that can be used to oppress and keep people poor is unfair or dishonest business practices, such as weights and measures that change depending on whether one is buying or selling, exorbitant interest rates, excessive fees and charges, etc. God cares about these matters. He wants His people to not only have righteous standards in their lives, but also in the weights and measures and business practices.
Application: If I want to live in a way that pleases God, it is more than a commitment to study of the Bible and worship . It is a commitment to live in justice and righteousness in every area of my life. I believe that Christians often neglect to consider how their business dealings reflect on their faith. It matters to God that I am totally honest and above board with how I do business with others. Paying my bills, dealing with honesty and integrity in whatever I do, being truthful and not deceptive in my business dealings and communication -- these are all aspects of my life that God cares about. And I need to care about them as well, giving careful thought and effort to uphold the highest standards of integrity and honesty in all business interactions. To do less is to dishonor and displease God.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You want Your people to reflect righteousness and excellence in every area of our lives. You want to show Yourself through me as a God of truth and justice. Help me to never compromise or act selfishly or unfairly in the way I do business with others. May I "do unto others as I would have them do unto me" in my business dealings as well as every other area of my life. I want to live in a way that pleases You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Ezekiel 45:9-12
9 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: You have gone far enough, O princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign LORD. 10 You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath. 11 The ephah and the bath are to be the same size, the bath containing a tenth of a homer and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer is to be the standard measure for both. 12 The shekel is to consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels equal one mina.' "
Observation: God speaks through Ezekiel to the "princes of Israel," that is, those who have the wealth and power at the highest levels. And in this passage He warns them to use weights and measures that are honest and fair. One of the means that can be used to oppress and keep people poor is unfair or dishonest business practices, such as weights and measures that change depending on whether one is buying or selling, exorbitant interest rates, excessive fees and charges, etc. God cares about these matters. He wants His people to not only have righteous standards in their lives, but also in the weights and measures and business practices.
Application: If I want to live in a way that pleases God, it is more than a commitment to study of the Bible and worship . It is a commitment to live in justice and righteousness in every area of my life. I believe that Christians often neglect to consider how their business dealings reflect on their faith. It matters to God that I am totally honest and above board with how I do business with others. Paying my bills, dealing with honesty and integrity in whatever I do, being truthful and not deceptive in my business dealings and communication -- these are all aspects of my life that God cares about. And I need to care about them as well, giving careful thought and effort to uphold the highest standards of integrity and honesty in all business interactions. To do less is to dishonor and displease God.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You want Your people to reflect righteousness and excellence in every area of our lives. You want to show Yourself through me as a God of truth and justice. Help me to never compromise or act selfishly or unfairly in the way I do business with others. May I "do unto others as I would have them do unto me" in my business dealings as well as every other area of my life. I want to live in a way that pleases You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Title: Free, Fresh Water / Topic: Refresh
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: Come! The invitation goes out to everyone. "Anyone thirsty out there? Come! Take the free gift of the water of life." That is the message and method of God. "If you want it, come and get it. If you have a need, seek to have it met." I love the openness and ready availability of God's provision. I also notice that this invitation is coming from "The Spirit and the bride." The Spirit is, of course, the Holy Spirit of God. Who is the bride? It's us, the church. We, in agreement with the spirit say, "come and get refreshed."
Application: I better have something that refreshes when they come. Tired old clichés, worn out religious language, even my own moldy testimonies won't refresh. I have to have something new, fresh, and alive. I am supposed to be dispensing the water of life -- living water. I need to be immersed in Jesus and overflowing so that when the thirsty come in, I'm not dry myself, but I have something fresh and refreshing to give to them.
Prayer: Lord, help me live in the fresh now with You. Thank You for Your openhanded, gracious, giving nature. Thank You that You offer the water of life to all who are thirsty. Help me and all Your people to be filled and overflowing so that we can deliver the goods to those who are seeking.
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: Come! The invitation goes out to everyone. "Anyone thirsty out there? Come! Take the free gift of the water of life." That is the message and method of God. "If you want it, come and get it. If you have a need, seek to have it met." I love the openness and ready availability of God's provision. I also notice that this invitation is coming from "The Spirit and the bride." The Spirit is, of course, the Holy Spirit of God. Who is the bride? It's us, the church. We, in agreement with the spirit say, "come and get refreshed."
Application: I better have something that refreshes when they come. Tired old clichés, worn out religious language, even my own moldy testimonies won't refresh. I have to have something new, fresh, and alive. I am supposed to be dispensing the water of life -- living water. I need to be immersed in Jesus and overflowing so that when the thirsty come in, I'm not dry myself, but I have something fresh and refreshing to give to them.
Prayer: Lord, help me live in the fresh now with You. Thank You for Your openhanded, gracious, giving nature. Thank You that You offer the water of life to all who are thirsty. Help me and all Your people to be filled and overflowing so that we can deliver the goods to those who are seeking.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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