Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyleof disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Passover, unobserved for years, is reinstated.
June 30
2 Chronicles 35
The Passover, unobserved for years, is reinstated.
INSIGHT
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A man's about as happy as he makes up his mind to be." That may be an oversimplification; yet it states a basic truth: Often we must consciously decide what we want to become. Those who grow spiritually are those who have made a conscious decision to pursue spiritual things. Josiah, one of the great kings of Judah, is a strong reformer who tries to lead the nation in righteousness. In 2 Chronicles 34:31, we read: "The king . . . made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul." Have you ever made the decision to follow the Lord with your whole heart?
PRAYER
As He is a God both of power and compassion, we offer Him our praise:
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
Forever and ever!
Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it, . ..
The host of heaven worships You (Nehemiah 9:5-6).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:17-18).
As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, pray this affirmation to the Lord:
God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
A stronger desire to be like Christ
The ministry of our nation's churches
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).
2 Chronicles 35
The Passover, unobserved for years, is reinstated.
INSIGHT
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A man's about as happy as he makes up his mind to be." That may be an oversimplification; yet it states a basic truth: Often we must consciously decide what we want to become. Those who grow spiritually are those who have made a conscious decision to pursue spiritual things. Josiah, one of the great kings of Judah, is a strong reformer who tries to lead the nation in righteousness. In 2 Chronicles 34:31, we read: "The king . . . made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul." Have you ever made the decision to follow the Lord with your whole heart?
PRAYER
As He is a God both of power and compassion, we offer Him our praise:
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
Forever and ever!
Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it, . ..
The host of heaven worships You (Nehemiah 9:5-6).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:17-18).
As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, pray this affirmation to the Lord:
God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
A stronger desire to be like Christ
The ministry of our nation's churches
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).
The story of Jonah is found in the book of Jonah chapters 1 through 3
Influential Men of the Bible: Jonah
The story of Jonah is found in the book of Jonah chapters 1 through 3
Jonah the son of Amittai, received a message from the Lord to go to Nineveh and announce His judgment against it because God had seen how wicked its people were. (Jonah 1:1-2)
Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians worshiped nature; a tree god, a sun god, a rock god, etc. Their army was very brutal and cruel. They skinned people alive and made pyramids of human skulls from their conquests. Whenever they would capture a city, they would put fishhooks in the jaws of their captives, chaining them together to lead them away. So when God spoke to Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah was a little fearful. Instead of going to Nineveh, he went to Joppa and boarded a ship to Tarshish to escape the presence of the Lord. As Jonah was sleeping on the ship, God sent a powerful wind over the sea that caused a violent storm that rocked the ship. Jonah knew it was God, and that he was the reason that God sent the storm. “Throw me into the sea” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. For I know that this terrible storm is all my fault”. (1:12) thesailors threw him into the raging sea. “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights”. (1:17) In chapter 2, we find Jonah crying out to God out of the fish’s belly. He came to realize that running from the presence of the Lord put him in a dark and lonely place. He began to repent. He promises God he will do what had been asked of him. God heard his cry, and spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. (2:10) God spoke to Jonah a second time about going to Nineveh. This time Jonah said yes, and he made this three days journey in one day. For three days, Jonah walked from one end of this great city to the other. crying: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” (3:4) The entire city listened and repented of their sins. God saw their work, and changed his mind and did not destroy them. Jonah got very angry! (4:1) God showed Jonah through an encounter with a shade tree how He could change his feelings from anger to pleasure with Nineveh because they turned from their wicked ways.
We spend so much time worrying about how wicked people are, how loud the upstairs tenant plays their music, or that their seems to be a lot of drug activity on the street. Jesus said in St Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Maybe we, like Jonah, don’t want to give them a message from God that they need to change their ways. Instead we board the “Praise the Lord” ship to church to run away from our environment. If we would come to realize that change is only going to come to this world, through us, we’ll change our minds and take the message of the Lord Jesus Christ, to them that are in danger of judgment. Maybe they’ll turn from their sins. That is the reason why God has sent you to that job! that apartment complex! that street in the first place.
The story of Jonah is found in the book of Jonah chapters 1 through 3
Jonah the son of Amittai, received a message from the Lord to go to Nineveh and announce His judgment against it because God had seen how wicked its people were. (Jonah 1:1-2)
Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians worshiped nature; a tree god, a sun god, a rock god, etc. Their army was very brutal and cruel. They skinned people alive and made pyramids of human skulls from their conquests. Whenever they would capture a city, they would put fishhooks in the jaws of their captives, chaining them together to lead them away. So when God spoke to Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah was a little fearful. Instead of going to Nineveh, he went to Joppa and boarded a ship to Tarshish to escape the presence of the Lord. As Jonah was sleeping on the ship, God sent a powerful wind over the sea that caused a violent storm that rocked the ship. Jonah knew it was God, and that he was the reason that God sent the storm. “Throw me into the sea” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. For I know that this terrible storm is all my fault”. (1:12) thesailors threw him into the raging sea. “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights”. (1:17) In chapter 2, we find Jonah crying out to God out of the fish’s belly. He came to realize that running from the presence of the Lord put him in a dark and lonely place. He began to repent. He promises God he will do what had been asked of him. God heard his cry, and spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. (2:10) God spoke to Jonah a second time about going to Nineveh. This time Jonah said yes, and he made this three days journey in one day. For three days, Jonah walked from one end of this great city to the other. crying: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” (3:4) The entire city listened and repented of their sins. God saw their work, and changed his mind and did not destroy them. Jonah got very angry! (4:1) God showed Jonah through an encounter with a shade tree how He could change his feelings from anger to pleasure with Nineveh because they turned from their wicked ways.
We spend so much time worrying about how wicked people are, how loud the upstairs tenant plays their music, or that their seems to be a lot of drug activity on the street. Jesus said in St Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Maybe we, like Jonah, don’t want to give them a message from God that they need to change their ways. Instead we board the “Praise the Lord” ship to church to run away from our environment. If we would come to realize that change is only going to come to this world, through us, we’ll change our minds and take the message of the Lord Jesus Christ, to them that are in danger of judgment. Maybe they’ll turn from their sins. That is the reason why God has sent you to that job! that apartment complex! that street in the first place.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyleof disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyleof disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
Josiah leads Judah into righteousness.
2 Chronicles 34
Josiah leads Judah into righteousness.
INSIGHT
It is almost impossible to imagine the Law could have gotten lost in Jerusalem. How could that have happened? The whole nation is to worship the Lord; the dominant building in Jerusalem is the temple. Israel's entire history revolves around the giving and preservation of the Law. How can this happen? Neglect has a poor memory. How quickly we can drift from the Lord in just a short time of spiritual staleness. Consider our nation. The moral fiber we had 20 years ago is nonexistent today. People are people. Israel drifted the same way—but for a longer time. This ought to serve as a warning to us; the same can happen to us as individuals.
PRAYER
The Lord will guard and care for the heart that follows Him and is filled with praise:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by. . .
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalm 57:1, 9-11).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise (Psalm 51:14-15).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Others to see Christ in you
The Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 7:12).
Josiah leads Judah into righteousness.
INSIGHT
It is almost impossible to imagine the Law could have gotten lost in Jerusalem. How could that have happened? The whole nation is to worship the Lord; the dominant building in Jerusalem is the temple. Israel's entire history revolves around the giving and preservation of the Law. How can this happen? Neglect has a poor memory. How quickly we can drift from the Lord in just a short time of spiritual staleness. Consider our nation. The moral fiber we had 20 years ago is nonexistent today. People are people. Israel drifted the same way—but for a longer time. This ought to serve as a warning to us; the same can happen to us as individuals.
PRAYER
The Lord will guard and care for the heart that follows Him and is filled with praise:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by. . .
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalm 57:1, 9-11).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise (Psalm 51:14-15).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Others to see Christ in you
The Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 7:12).
Obadiah’s message can be found in the book of Obadiah chapter 1
Influential Men of the Bible: Obadiah
Obadiah’s message can be found in the book of Obadiah chapter 1
The prophet Obadiah wrote the book of by the same name without saying anything about himself, so little is known about him. This is the shortest book of the Bible, containing only twenty one verses. The prophet deals with the feud between Edom and Israel.
The Edomites lived in a rocky mountain range south of the Dead Sea. Every now and then they would go and raid Israel’s camp and then run back to their strongholds in the mountains. These descendants of Esau were in constant conflict with the Jewish people, even refusing to allow them passageway through their land. God of course was not pleased. Obadiah predicted that “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame, you will be destroyed forever”. (1:10). God protected Israel, and punished anyone who opposed them. The Edomites thought that their stronghold was impregnable. They became very arrogant with their sense of security. This was the message Obadiah gave the them from the God: "Listen to this, Edom: I'm turning you to a no-account, the runt of the godless nations, despised. you thought you were so great, perched high among the rocks, king of the mountain, thinking to yourself, nobody can get to me! Nobody can touch me! 'Think again. Even if, like an eagle, you hang out on a high cliff-face. Even if you build your nest in the stars, I'll bring you down to earth." God's sure Word. (vs. 2-4 message bible)
When someone is lead to believe that all is well before attacking or doing someone bad, it is called a false sense of security. This describes the Edomites. So sure of themselves that they continued to do bad things to the children of Israel thinking nobody could stop them. The last time I heard such arrogance was in the case of the Titanic. It was reported that not even God himself could sink this ship. On April 10th 1912 the Titanic set sail from Southampton with 2,200 passengers and crew, four days later the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank. 1500 people died and 700 survived. As well built as it was, the Titanic was still stoppable.
The message of Obadiah serves well to encourage us that God will fight for us. Sometimes people will do you wrong and think that you can’t do anything about it and nobody can stop them. They can do what they want, when they want, to whom they want. You might be experiencing this right now. It may look as if your enemy is winning and things are not going to change, but hold your peace, and let the Lord fight your battle. He will give you the victory!! The same words that God spoke to the Edomites when they came against his chosen people; he speaks to your enemies. “Even if you build your nest in the stars, I’ll bring you down to earth (vs. 4). Your enemies arms are too short to box with God, so don’t worry about it anymore. Your enemy is going down!!
Obadiah’s message can be found in the book of Obadiah chapter 1
The prophet Obadiah wrote the book of by the same name without saying anything about himself, so little is known about him. This is the shortest book of the Bible, containing only twenty one verses. The prophet deals with the feud between Edom and Israel.
The Edomites lived in a rocky mountain range south of the Dead Sea. Every now and then they would go and raid Israel’s camp and then run back to their strongholds in the mountains. These descendants of Esau were in constant conflict with the Jewish people, even refusing to allow them passageway through their land. God of course was not pleased. Obadiah predicted that “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame, you will be destroyed forever”. (1:10). God protected Israel, and punished anyone who opposed them. The Edomites thought that their stronghold was impregnable. They became very arrogant with their sense of security. This was the message Obadiah gave the them from the God: "Listen to this, Edom: I'm turning you to a no-account, the runt of the godless nations, despised. you thought you were so great, perched high among the rocks, king of the mountain, thinking to yourself, nobody can get to me! Nobody can touch me! 'Think again. Even if, like an eagle, you hang out on a high cliff-face. Even if you build your nest in the stars, I'll bring you down to earth." God's sure Word. (vs. 2-4 message bible)
When someone is lead to believe that all is well before attacking or doing someone bad, it is called a false sense of security. This describes the Edomites. So sure of themselves that they continued to do bad things to the children of Israel thinking nobody could stop them. The last time I heard such arrogance was in the case of the Titanic. It was reported that not even God himself could sink this ship. On April 10th 1912 the Titanic set sail from Southampton with 2,200 passengers and crew, four days later the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank. 1500 people died and 700 survived. As well built as it was, the Titanic was still stoppable.
The message of Obadiah serves well to encourage us that God will fight for us. Sometimes people will do you wrong and think that you can’t do anything about it and nobody can stop them. They can do what they want, when they want, to whom they want. You might be experiencing this right now. It may look as if your enemy is winning and things are not going to change, but hold your peace, and let the Lord fight your battle. He will give you the victory!! The same words that God spoke to the Edomites when they came against his chosen people; he speaks to your enemies. “Even if you build your nest in the stars, I’ll bring you down to earth (vs. 4). Your enemies arms are too short to box with God, so don’t worry about it anymore. Your enemy is going down!!
Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyleof disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyleof disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
Just before his death, David blesses Israel and gives his blessing to Solomon.
1 Chronicles 29
Just before his death, David blesses Israel and gives his blessing to Solomon.
INSIGHT
How we spend our money is a powerful reflection of our value system. If we have strong spiritual values, we give our money generously to spiritual things. If we have primarily temporal values, we resist—and perhaps even resent—giving to spiritual things. After completing the temple, the Israelites rejoiced, "for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD" (v. 9). Where are your values?
PRAYER
Bless the Lord. Praise Him for His blessings in our lives:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name (1 Chronicles 29:11-13).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight-
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge (Psalm 51:4).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater personal discipline
Persecuted Christians worldwide
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Just before his death, David blesses Israel and gives his blessing to Solomon.
INSIGHT
How we spend our money is a powerful reflection of our value system. If we have strong spiritual values, we give our money generously to spiritual things. If we have primarily temporal values, we resist—and perhaps even resent—giving to spiritual things. After completing the temple, the Israelites rejoiced, "for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD" (v. 9). Where are your values?
PRAYER
Bless the Lord. Praise Him for His blessings in our lives:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name (1 Chronicles 29:11-13).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight-
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge (Psalm 51:4).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater personal discipline
Persecuted Christians worldwide
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Story of Amos is found the book of Amos chapters 6-9
Influential Men of the Bible: Amos
Story of Amos is found the book of Amos chapters 6-9
Amos, whose name means burden-bearer, was a shepherd, a herdsman, and he cultivated Sycamore Figs. He was a citizen of Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel). God sent him to proclaim the Word to the people of the northern kingdom. He was not a "professional" prophet, but a common man used by the Lord to deliver His Word to His people.
The people were now "at east in Zion" (6:4) as they enjoyed their winter houses, summer houses, houses of ivory, and houses of well carved stone. Even while the rich were getting richer, and the poor getting poorer, the people were becoming more religious and less spiritual. They had a form of godliness, but were denying the power therein… (2nd Timothy 3:5). God was not fooled by their show for him. Amos told the people that God did not have time for their rituals of religion, but rather he wanted their hearts. Amos warned the people about a coming famine that stemmed from their lack of spirituality. "Behold the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord (8:11). God was tired of their stuff. Amos told them that God's eyes were upon them, and that He would destroy the sinful kingdom from off the face of the earth" He would sift (scatter) the house of Israel among all nations" (9:8-9).
Although Amos' message was harsh, he ended his message with a promise of restoration "God will build them up once again He would repair the breaches, raise up his ruins and build it as in the days of old. They would once again plant, and also they will be planted in their own land and no longer be pulled up out of their land which was given them" (9:11-15).
I heard a great man by the name of Apostle James C. Williams say "religion is man reaching up to God, but salvation is God reaching down to man ". The message the prophet Amos brought to the people of Israel should serve to remind us that God is not mad at us for having the finer things in life, but he does want more for us. He doesn't just want us to merely be religious, (trying to reach God on our own terms), but He wants us to have a righteous relationship with Him.
Have you ever been hungry and nothing could satisfy that hunger? Have you ever been thirsty and nothing could quench that thirst. Perhaps the hunger you felt was not for natural food, but spiritual food. St Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Maybe this thirst you experienced came because you really were thirsting for the things of God. Psalms 42:1-2 says As the hart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee O God. My soul thirstest for God, for the living God.
I challenge you today to choose relationship (inward change), over religion (outward show). Your choice could mean the difference between growth and famine.
Story of Amos is found the book of Amos chapters 6-9
Amos, whose name means burden-bearer, was a shepherd, a herdsman, and he cultivated Sycamore Figs. He was a citizen of Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel). God sent him to proclaim the Word to the people of the northern kingdom. He was not a "professional" prophet, but a common man used by the Lord to deliver His Word to His people.
The people were now "at east in Zion" (6:4) as they enjoyed their winter houses, summer houses, houses of ivory, and houses of well carved stone. Even while the rich were getting richer, and the poor getting poorer, the people were becoming more religious and less spiritual. They had a form of godliness, but were denying the power therein… (2nd Timothy 3:5). God was not fooled by their show for him. Amos told the people that God did not have time for their rituals of religion, but rather he wanted their hearts. Amos warned the people about a coming famine that stemmed from their lack of spirituality. "Behold the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord (8:11). God was tired of their stuff. Amos told them that God's eyes were upon them, and that He would destroy the sinful kingdom from off the face of the earth" He would sift (scatter) the house of Israel among all nations" (9:8-9).
Although Amos' message was harsh, he ended his message with a promise of restoration "God will build them up once again He would repair the breaches, raise up his ruins and build it as in the days of old. They would once again plant, and also they will be planted in their own land and no longer be pulled up out of their land which was given them" (9:11-15).
I heard a great man by the name of Apostle James C. Williams say "religion is man reaching up to God, but salvation is God reaching down to man ". The message the prophet Amos brought to the people of Israel should serve to remind us that God is not mad at us for having the finer things in life, but he does want more for us. He doesn't just want us to merely be religious, (trying to reach God on our own terms), but He wants us to have a righteous relationship with Him.
Have you ever been hungry and nothing could satisfy that hunger? Have you ever been thirsty and nothing could quench that thirst. Perhaps the hunger you felt was not for natural food, but spiritual food. St Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Maybe this thirst you experienced came because you really were thirsting for the things of God. Psalms 42:1-2 says As the hart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee O God. My soul thirstest for God, for the living God.
I challenge you today to choose relationship (inward change), over religion (outward show). Your choice could mean the difference between growth and famine.
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Power Within
The Power Within
Ephesians 3:14-21
Bertha Smith, a missionary to China, once expressed some of the most discouraging words I’d ever heard. “Charles, I want to tell you that you’re as good as you’ll ever be. You’re as good as you’ve ever been, and you won’t ever be any better than you are.”
I had grown up believing a falsehood—that believers were to pour effort into turning their flesh around and doing right all the time. Thankfully, Bertha wasn’t finished. “God never intended for you to get better, because you can’t improve flesh,” she said. “But the Holy Spirit, who is living inside you, will enable and live through you.”
She was right. My flesh hasn’t changed one bit. But the Holy Spirit releases His supernatural power in my life, and I find myself going beyond what is inherent to the nature of man. And that’s why He indwells every follower of God.
Although the works of the Holy Spirit are many, four are basic to the life of faith: 1) The Spirit illumines the mind, enabling believers to understand the things of God. 2) He energizes physical bodies to serve the Lord. 3) He enables the will to follow through on doing what is right. 4) He quickens emotions to feel and express the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Bertha Smith passed on an important truth to me: Flesh is insufficient. Only the Holy Spirit living inside us has the strength and wisdom to live out the Christian life victoriously. That’s why God gave Him to us. Through the Spirit, we reap all the benefits of a righteous and godly life.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Bertha Smith, a missionary to China, once expressed some of the most discouraging words I’d ever heard. “Charles, I want to tell you that you’re as good as you’ll ever be. You’re as good as you’ve ever been, and you won’t ever be any better than you are.”
I had grown up believing a falsehood—that believers were to pour effort into turning their flesh around and doing right all the time. Thankfully, Bertha wasn’t finished. “God never intended for you to get better, because you can’t improve flesh,” she said. “But the Holy Spirit, who is living inside you, will enable and live through you.”
She was right. My flesh hasn’t changed one bit. But the Holy Spirit releases His supernatural power in my life, and I find myself going beyond what is inherent to the nature of man. And that’s why He indwells every follower of God.
Although the works of the Holy Spirit are many, four are basic to the life of faith: 1) The Spirit illumines the mind, enabling believers to understand the things of God. 2) He energizes physical bodies to serve the Lord. 3) He enables the will to follow through on doing what is right. 4) He quickens emotions to feel and express the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Bertha Smith passed on an important truth to me: Flesh is insufficient. Only the Holy Spirit living inside us has the strength and wisdom to live out the Christian life victoriously. That’s why God gave Him to us. Through the Spirit, we reap all the benefits of a righteous and godly life.
God promises David that He will propagate David's lineage forever.
1 Chronicles 17
God promises David that He will propagate David's lineage forever.
INSIGHT
David is described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). It is difficult for us to accept that statement when David is guilty of lying, adultery, murder, and other indiscretions. However, to be a man after God's own heart means that David wants the same things God wants. His noble desires and intentions are overruled several times by his passions; but when David's senses are restored and he repents of his sin, again his heart beats after God's desires. We may not be as bad as David in his bad moments, but are we as good as David in his good moments? Do our hearts beat after God?
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that He is eager to bless our righteous acts:
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! (1 Chronicles 16:28-29).
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me (Psalm 51:1-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
"For Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
He also has become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
An increased eternal perspective
Your spiritual goals
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Grace, mercy, and peace [be to you] from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 1:4).
God promises David that He will propagate David's lineage forever.
INSIGHT
David is described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). It is difficult for us to accept that statement when David is guilty of lying, adultery, murder, and other indiscretions. However, to be a man after God's own heart means that David wants the same things God wants. His noble desires and intentions are overruled several times by his passions; but when David's senses are restored and he repents of his sin, again his heart beats after God's desires. We may not be as bad as David in his bad moments, but are we as good as David in his good moments? Do our hearts beat after God?
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that He is eager to bless our righteous acts:
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! (1 Chronicles 16:28-29).
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me (Psalm 51:1-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
"For Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
He also has become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
An increased eternal perspective
Your spiritual goals
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Grace, mercy, and peace [be to you] from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 1:4).
The story of Joel can be found in the book of Joel chapters 1-3
Influential Men of the Bible: Joel
The story of Joel can be found in the book of Joel chapters 1-3
The book of Joel is the second work in the collection of the Minor Prophets known as the Trei Asar, or "The Twelve ". It is written by Joel, the son of Perhuel. Not much is known about this prophet except that his name means "Jehovah is God" and that he was given a very harsh message to deliver to God's people. This book which contains three chapters and 73 verses is one of the shortest books of the bible.
The people of Israel were in the midst of a crisis. A devastating locust plague had attacked Israel and left practically no vines or grain. "What the chewing locust (palmerworm) hath left, the gobbling locust hath eaten, what the gobbling locust left, the munching locust (cankerworm) hath eaten, and what the munching locust left, the chomping locust (caterpillar) hath eaten" (1:4). Even in the midst of this crisis Joel had to give a warning to God's people that it was time to Change their lives. The message to the people was that they should take a look at their lives and do a "reality check ". He told the drunkards to weep and sober up. The wine is now cut off anyway since all the vines are eaten and gone (1:5). Joel even had to tell the church to, "Rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness... Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him -- a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?" (Joel 2:13-14) God did not want just a mere outward show of religion, but He wanted their hearts. Although Joel had to deliver this message, there was still good news. God still loved his people and that blessings would follow true repentance. "Then the Lord will be jealous for His land, and pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people, Behold; I will send you grain and new wine and oil. I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations." (Joel 2:19-20) Joel also spoke of a time of outpouring of God's Spirit and salvation (2:28-32). Finally, God would bring judgment to the nations that mistreated Israel (3:1-17), and would ultimately bring deliverance and prosperity in the land (2:18-21).
What locust situation is happening in your life? Perhaps it is that chewing locust that thing that grinds at you day by day…like not having enough money. Maybe it's the gobbling locust, things that try and swallow you up in large pieces at a time. What about the chomping locust vigorously and noisily biting at you. Or maybe it's the munching locust, a steady working of the jaws usually audibly (a he said/she said situation). In spite of this invading army message, the prophet Joel draws us to a good conclusion "The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel" (Joel 3:16). Let us get under the umbrella of true repentance. As long as this umbrella is up, we won't get soaked from the storms of life. Repentance changes the forecast of our lives. God will fight for and bless his people!
The story of Joel can be found in the book of Joel chapters 1-3
The book of Joel is the second work in the collection of the Minor Prophets known as the Trei Asar, or "The Twelve ". It is written by Joel, the son of Perhuel. Not much is known about this prophet except that his name means "Jehovah is God" and that he was given a very harsh message to deliver to God's people. This book which contains three chapters and 73 verses is one of the shortest books of the bible.
The people of Israel were in the midst of a crisis. A devastating locust plague had attacked Israel and left practically no vines or grain. "What the chewing locust (palmerworm) hath left, the gobbling locust hath eaten, what the gobbling locust left, the munching locust (cankerworm) hath eaten, and what the munching locust left, the chomping locust (caterpillar) hath eaten" (1:4). Even in the midst of this crisis Joel had to give a warning to God's people that it was time to Change their lives. The message to the people was that they should take a look at their lives and do a "reality check ". He told the drunkards to weep and sober up. The wine is now cut off anyway since all the vines are eaten and gone (1:5). Joel even had to tell the church to, "Rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness... Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him -- a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?" (Joel 2:13-14) God did not want just a mere outward show of religion, but He wanted their hearts. Although Joel had to deliver this message, there was still good news. God still loved his people and that blessings would follow true repentance. "Then the Lord will be jealous for His land, and pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people, Behold; I will send you grain and new wine and oil. I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations." (Joel 2:19-20) Joel also spoke of a time of outpouring of God's Spirit and salvation (2:28-32). Finally, God would bring judgment to the nations that mistreated Israel (3:1-17), and would ultimately bring deliverance and prosperity in the land (2:18-21).
What locust situation is happening in your life? Perhaps it is that chewing locust that thing that grinds at you day by day…like not having enough money. Maybe it's the gobbling locust, things that try and swallow you up in large pieces at a time. What about the chomping locust vigorously and noisily biting at you. Or maybe it's the munching locust, a steady working of the jaws usually audibly (a he said/she said situation). In spite of this invading army message, the prophet Joel draws us to a good conclusion "The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel" (Joel 3:16). Let us get under the umbrella of true repentance. As long as this umbrella is up, we won't get soaked from the storms of life. Repentance changes the forecast of our lives. God will fight for and bless his people!
God judges Judah by allowing Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jerusalem.
2 Kings 25
God judges Judah by allowing Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jerusalem.
INSIGHT
Judah has a total of 20 kings after Solomon. Only eight of them give moral and spiritual leadership. And as the king goes, so goes the nation. As a result, God has to bring judgment on Israel. The ghastly succession of horrors promised for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28—and reiterated to Solomon in 1 Kings 9—begins to unfold. "I will cast (Israel) out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples" (1 Kings 9:7). Nebuchadnezzar besieges and captures Jerusalem, transports her main people to Babylonia, robs her treasury, and violates worship in the temple. Sin has a terrible price.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that we can be spared from His judgment on sin:
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory (Psalm 63:1-2).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases (Psalm 103:1-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater faithfulness in sharing Christ
The Lord's work in national and world affairs
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
God judges Judah by allowing Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jerusalem.
INSIGHT
Judah has a total of 20 kings after Solomon. Only eight of them give moral and spiritual leadership. And as the king goes, so goes the nation. As a result, God has to bring judgment on Israel. The ghastly succession of horrors promised for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28—and reiterated to Solomon in 1 Kings 9—begins to unfold. "I will cast (Israel) out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples" (1 Kings 9:7). Nebuchadnezzar besieges and captures Jerusalem, transports her main people to Babylonia, robs her treasury, and violates worship in the temple. Sin has a terrible price.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that we can be spared from His judgment on sin:
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory (Psalm 63:1-2).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases (Psalm 103:1-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater faithfulness in sharing Christ
The Lord's work in national and world affairs
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Choosing the Right Building Material
Choosing the Right Building Material
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Believers build their lives on the Rock of Ages: Jesus Christ. Every motive, every deed, and every word is material for our spiritual house. The apostle Paul warned followers to construct with care because on the day of judgment, fire will test the quality of each person’s work. This refers not to a literal fire but to the purifying presence of Jesus Christ.
When I stand in the Savior’s perfectly holy and just presence, all the wood, hay, and stubble in my life will disappear. Good things done with wrong motives will vanish along with secret sins and bad attitudes. Only what has been done and said in Jesus’ name remains. And the moment the chaff is gone, we will see that God is right—those things didn’t fit the life of His child.
On hearing this explanation, someone usually says, “All that matters is that I get into heaven.” But that attitude is shortsighted because the judgment of believers is about rewards. In the parable of the unrighteous steward, Jesus explained the basic concept to His disciples: “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Our time on earth is the beginning of an eternity serving and rejoicing in the Lord. God will reward us with heavenly responsibility according to our faithfulness here.
Wise people plan for the future (Prov. 27:12).I want to receive as much of God’s goodness as He offers, so I am determined to build with top-quality, enduring materials. The privilege of serving is only the beginning of the rewards. In heaven, God’s generosity will be even more abundantly unleashed.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Believers build their lives on the Rock of Ages: Jesus Christ. Every motive, every deed, and every word is material for our spiritual house. The apostle Paul warned followers to construct with care because on the day of judgment, fire will test the quality of each person’s work. This refers not to a literal fire but to the purifying presence of Jesus Christ.
When I stand in the Savior’s perfectly holy and just presence, all the wood, hay, and stubble in my life will disappear. Good things done with wrong motives will vanish along with secret sins and bad attitudes. Only what has been done and said in Jesus’ name remains. And the moment the chaff is gone, we will see that God is right—those things didn’t fit the life of His child.
On hearing this explanation, someone usually says, “All that matters is that I get into heaven.” But that attitude is shortsighted because the judgment of believers is about rewards. In the parable of the unrighteous steward, Jesus explained the basic concept to His disciples: “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Our time on earth is the beginning of an eternity serving and rejoicing in the Lord. God will reward us with heavenly responsibility according to our faithfulness here.
Wise people plan for the future (Prov. 27:12).I want to receive as much of God’s goodness as He offers, so I am determined to build with top-quality, enduring materials. The privilege of serving is only the beginning of the rewards. In heaven, God’s generosity will be even more abundantly unleashed.
In answer to Hezekiah's prayer, the Lord extends his life.
2 Kings 20
In answer to Hezekiah's prayer, the Lord extends his life.
INSIGHT
Hezekiah's contribution to our lives is probably very great. We read of his zeal for the house of Jehovah and for the worship of Jehovah and of his strict adherence to the Davidic traditions (2 Chronicles 29:3-19; 20-27; 30). His delight is in the Word of Jehovah. In 2 Chronicles 31:21, we read of the "work" which Hezekiah began "in the law and in the commandment." Apparently he formed a guild of men for this devout literary work. These "men of Hezekiah" evidently included Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2) and also had a hand in shaping the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). What a contribution this ancient one has made to our lives today!
PRAYER
The Lord's dominion is forever, and we can praise Him that He never changes:
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities (Psalm 51:7-9).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal"
(Matthew 6:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater love for others
The work of missions in Australia
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us
to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect,
establish, strengthen, and settle you.
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
In answer to Hezekiah's prayer, the Lord extends his life.
INSIGHT
Hezekiah's contribution to our lives is probably very great. We read of his zeal for the house of Jehovah and for the worship of Jehovah and of his strict adherence to the Davidic traditions (2 Chronicles 29:3-19; 20-27; 30). His delight is in the Word of Jehovah. In 2 Chronicles 31:21, we read of the "work" which Hezekiah began "in the law and in the commandment." Apparently he formed a guild of men for this devout literary work. These "men of Hezekiah" evidently included Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2) and also had a hand in shaping the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). What a contribution this ancient one has made to our lives today!
PRAYER
The Lord's dominion is forever, and we can praise Him that He never changes:
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities (Psalm 51:7-9).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal"
(Matthew 6:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater love for others
The work of missions in Australia
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us
to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect,
establish, strengthen, and settle you.
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
Friday, June 24, 2011
Jesus Christ, Our Judge
Jesus Christ, Our Judge
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ will judge every person who has ever lived (Acts 10:42). Those who refuse His offer of salvation face the white throne judgment—the unbelievers’ last stop before an eternity of exile from God’s presence. Believers will also stand before Jesus, at which time they’ll finally come to full comprehension of His extravagant grace.
In 1 Corinthians 4:5, Paul asserts that Jesus will disclose the motives hidden in believers’ hearts. Some people have gotten the misguided idea that all their sins will be displayed for everyone to see, but the Bible in no way supports that notion.
Jesus will reveal the true nature of a believer’s heart to him or her. Every rebellious act, wrong attitude, and cutting word will be reviewed. When the Bible says that Jesus will wipe the tears from our eyes, it is referring to this time (Isa. 25:8). We’ll be standing in the holy Savior’s presence, grieving over how undeserving we are of His sacrifice. But the sorrow will last only a moment. On its heels comes the tremendous joy of having received forgiveness and lived a life pleasing to Him. Christ’s judgment is not a punishment; it is a reminder that we are pardoned. At last, we will fully realize the depth and breadthof His grace.
Believers need not cower or hang their heads during the judgment. Nor are we to repent—the time for that is past. We will stand before the Lord, clothed in Christ’s righteousness and forgiven of every single sin. And we will at last comprehend how great is the love of our God for us
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ will judge every person who has ever lived (Acts 10:42). Those who refuse His offer of salvation face the white throne judgment—the unbelievers’ last stop before an eternity of exile from God’s presence. Believers will also stand before Jesus, at which time they’ll finally come to full comprehension of His extravagant grace.
In 1 Corinthians 4:5, Paul asserts that Jesus will disclose the motives hidden in believers’ hearts. Some people have gotten the misguided idea that all their sins will be displayed for everyone to see, but the Bible in no way supports that notion.
Jesus will reveal the true nature of a believer’s heart to him or her. Every rebellious act, wrong attitude, and cutting word will be reviewed. When the Bible says that Jesus will wipe the tears from our eyes, it is referring to this time (Isa. 25:8). We’ll be standing in the holy Savior’s presence, grieving over how undeserving we are of His sacrifice. But the sorrow will last only a moment. On its heels comes the tremendous joy of having received forgiveness and lived a life pleasing to Him. Christ’s judgment is not a punishment; it is a reminder that we are pardoned. At last, we will fully realize the depth and breadthof His grace.
Believers need not cower or hang their heads during the judgment. Nor are we to repent—the time for that is past. We will stand before the Lord, clothed in Christ’s righteousness and forgiven of every single sin. And we will at last comprehend how great is the love of our God for us
When Sennacherib attacks Jerusalem, Hezekiah calls upon the Lord.
2 Kings 19
When Sennacherib attacks Jerusalem, Hezekiah calls upon the Lord.
INSIGHT
In spite of all the trouble that comes upon Israel and Judah, God wants to bless them. It is only as He is blessing them that His desire for the world is advanced. All that is needed is obedience. Hezekiah demonstrates just how quickly everything can turn around. He is looking into the jaws of an Assyrian military machine one minute, and the Assyrians are routed the next. God is not reluctant to bless us. But we must be sure we are eligible by being faithful to Him.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord; for He controls the universe and does all things for our good:
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"
The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm 29:5-11).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"Now, therefore," says the Lord,
"Turn to me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:12-13).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater faith in God's goodness
Those who've never heard the Gospel
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this prayer to the Lord:
Jesus, You are the door. If anyone enters by You, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (based on John 10:9).
Biblical Portrait
of Marriage
Instructor
When Sennacherib attacks Jerusalem, Hezekiah calls upon the Lord.
INSIGHT
In spite of all the trouble that comes upon Israel and Judah, God wants to bless them. It is only as He is blessing them that His desire for the world is advanced. All that is needed is obedience. Hezekiah demonstrates just how quickly everything can turn around. He is looking into the jaws of an Assyrian military machine one minute, and the Assyrians are routed the next. God is not reluctant to bless us. But we must be sure we are eligible by being faithful to Him.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord; for He controls the universe and does all things for our good:
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"
The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm 29:5-11).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"Now, therefore," says the Lord,
"Turn to me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:12-13).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater faith in God's goodness
Those who've never heard the Gospel
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this prayer to the Lord:
Jesus, You are the door. If anyone enters by You, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (based on John 10:9).
Biblical Portrait
of Marriage
Instructor
The story of Malachi is found in the Book of Malachi.
Influential Men of the Bible: Malachi
The story of Malachi is found in the Book of Malachi.
Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament, is about the error of forgetting the love of God. When people forget God’s love, it affects their attitudes, home, and worship. With God’s love and loyalty in doubt, sacred commitments no longer remain sacred. God sent Malachi to stir up the people from their spiritual stupor and to exhort them to return to the living God. Malachi speaks to a lukewarm group of believers who returned from Babylonian exile only about 70 years ago. The people had lost excitement and had lost touch with their God. The priests of Malachi’s time were indifferent to the rules of worship, and the people themselves offered sacrifices to God without passion and concern. Malachi has a message of encouragement and correction for us today that sometime experience the same driftings.
Malachi’s message is no different than the burden carried by loving and passionate leaders faced with a seemingly indifferent, displeased, and disappointed following. When you’re waiting on God, the temptation is always present to lose hope. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God loves us! That’s important because His compassion is not without action. God doesn’t just love in word alone, “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). You may have to wait, but God’s gift will never disappoint you! The writer of Hebrews wrote by inspiration of the Spirit, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:10-12, 19 NKJV). Through Malachi’s exhortation let us reaffirm our hope and trust in God. That hope gives us confidence, the confidence and courage to persevere; and confidence in God always pays off!
The story of Malachi is found in the Book of Malachi.
Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament, is about the error of forgetting the love of God. When people forget God’s love, it affects their attitudes, home, and worship. With God’s love and loyalty in doubt, sacred commitments no longer remain sacred. God sent Malachi to stir up the people from their spiritual stupor and to exhort them to return to the living God. Malachi speaks to a lukewarm group of believers who returned from Babylonian exile only about 70 years ago. The people had lost excitement and had lost touch with their God. The priests of Malachi’s time were indifferent to the rules of worship, and the people themselves offered sacrifices to God without passion and concern. Malachi has a message of encouragement and correction for us today that sometime experience the same driftings.
Malachi’s message is no different than the burden carried by loving and passionate leaders faced with a seemingly indifferent, displeased, and disappointed following. When you’re waiting on God, the temptation is always present to lose hope. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God loves us! That’s important because His compassion is not without action. God doesn’t just love in word alone, “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). You may have to wait, but God’s gift will never disappoint you! The writer of Hebrews wrote by inspiration of the Spirit, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:10-12, 19 NKJV). Through Malachi’s exhortation let us reaffirm our hope and trust in God. That hope gives us confidence, the confidence and courage to persevere; and confidence in God always pays off!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Responding to Disappointment
Responding to Disappointment
Matthew 1:18-25
To find examples of wise, godly reactions to disappointment, you’re more likely to turn to Psalms than to Matthew. But thevery first chapter in the New Testament tells the story of an upright man’s reaction to painful and disheartening news.
Joseph—Jesus’ earthly father—was a righteous person. A godly man wants a wife who shares his desire to honor and obey the Lord, and Scripture indicates that Mary was exactly that sort of woman (Luke 1: 45-55). So imagine how stunned Joseph must have been when Mary returned from a long visit with her relative Elizabeth and told him that she was pregnant. Moreover, she was claiming no man had touched her.
Any way Joseph looked at the situation, it appeared grim. And yet Matthew 1:20 says that he “considered”—in other words, he sought a wise, righteous response. God entered Joseph’s life in a dramatic way to confirm Mary’s story and put a stop to his “quiet annulment” plans.
The Lord turned Joseph’s mourning into joy. Mary had told the truth—strange and startling as it was. The couple would bear the intense public censure of an early pregnancy, but Joseph stopped thinking about what others would say. God had blessed work for him: to raise the Messiah alongside a faithful woman.
Followers of Christ should seek a godly response to disappointments they face. Since the Lord always has a plan, the wisest reaction is to anticipate the good He can do and await His timing. God certainly blessed Joseph for his willingness to “seek first His kingdom” (Matt. 6:33).
Matthew 1:18-25
To find examples of wise, godly reactions to disappointment, you’re more likely to turn to Psalms than to Matthew. But thevery first chapter in the New Testament tells the story of an upright man’s reaction to painful and disheartening news.
Joseph—Jesus’ earthly father—was a righteous person. A godly man wants a wife who shares his desire to honor and obey the Lord, and Scripture indicates that Mary was exactly that sort of woman (Luke 1: 45-55). So imagine how stunned Joseph must have been when Mary returned from a long visit with her relative Elizabeth and told him that she was pregnant. Moreover, she was claiming no man had touched her.
Any way Joseph looked at the situation, it appeared grim. And yet Matthew 1:20 says that he “considered”—in other words, he sought a wise, righteous response. God entered Joseph’s life in a dramatic way to confirm Mary’s story and put a stop to his “quiet annulment” plans.
The Lord turned Joseph’s mourning into joy. Mary had told the truth—strange and startling as it was. The couple would bear the intense public censure of an early pregnancy, but Joseph stopped thinking about what others would say. God had blessed work for him: to raise the Messiah alongside a faithful woman.
Followers of Christ should seek a godly response to disappointments they face. Since the Lord always has a plan, the wisest reaction is to anticipate the good He can do and await His timing. God certainly blessed Joseph for his willingness to “seek first His kingdom” (Matt. 6:33).
Hezekiah institutes a reign of righteousness.
2 Kings 18
Hezekiah institutes a reign of righteousness.
INSIGHT
It is wonderful that such a wicked man as Ahaz had such a righteous son as Hezekiah. It is difficult to stand against moral disintegration—especially when it is all around you and generally accepted. It is also likely the fall of the Northern Kingdom is a great incentive to root out idolatry. God richly rewards Hezekiah for his moral courage and leadership, demonstrating the validity of 2 Chronicles 16:9: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."
PRAYER
Praise the Lord that He richly blesses those who seek to follow Him with all their heart:
Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me (Psalm 119:129-133).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me (Psalm 138:7).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
A heart more tender to the things of the Lord
The work of a specific ministry that has had an impact on your life
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:8).
Hezekiah institutes a reign of righteousness.
INSIGHT
It is wonderful that such a wicked man as Ahaz had such a righteous son as Hezekiah. It is difficult to stand against moral disintegration—especially when it is all around you and generally accepted. It is also likely the fall of the Northern Kingdom is a great incentive to root out idolatry. God richly rewards Hezekiah for his moral courage and leadership, demonstrating the validity of 2 Chronicles 16:9: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."
PRAYER
Praise the Lord that He richly blesses those who seek to follow Him with all their heart:
Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me (Psalm 119:129-133).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me (Psalm 138:7).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
A heart more tender to the things of the Lord
The work of a specific ministry that has had an impact on your life
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:8).
The story of Daniel is found in the Book of Daniel.
Influential Men of the Bible: Daniel
The story of Daniel is found in the Book of Daniel.
Devotion is described as profound dedication or consecration. It is the earnest attachment to a cause or person. If you’ve ever driven behind someone who refuses to choose a lane in which to drive you understand how frustrating, and even dangerous, indecisiveness can be. I mean they waver from left to right, weaving in and out of traffic trying to get ahead. Most often their efforts prove to be a waste of time and energy because they usually end up in the same spot in the lane of traffic that they started in.
In the last book of Daniel, the fourth verse reads, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4 ESV). We can waste valuable time and energy running from advisor to advisor, seminar to seminar, website to website, trying to obtain knowledge and understanding that God will freely reveal to those who seek him in earnest devotion. Psalm 25:14 (NIV) “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” There are secrets and mysteries concerning God’s will that will only be revealed to those who revere God.
The double-minded are no threat to the enemy. But when you decide to whole-heartedly seek God, you become a weapon of mass destruction for His Kingdom. You may face lions of sickness, lions of disappointment, lions of adversity, but “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today” (Exodus 14:13). May the life of Daniel inspire us all to live a life of integrity, faithfulness, and perseverance in complete devotion to God.
The story of Daniel is found in the Book of Daniel.
Devotion is described as profound dedication or consecration. It is the earnest attachment to a cause or person. If you’ve ever driven behind someone who refuses to choose a lane in which to drive you understand how frustrating, and even dangerous, indecisiveness can be. I mean they waver from left to right, weaving in and out of traffic trying to get ahead. Most often their efforts prove to be a waste of time and energy because they usually end up in the same spot in the lane of traffic that they started in.
In the last book of Daniel, the fourth verse reads, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4 ESV). We can waste valuable time and energy running from advisor to advisor, seminar to seminar, website to website, trying to obtain knowledge and understanding that God will freely reveal to those who seek him in earnest devotion. Psalm 25:14 (NIV) “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” There are secrets and mysteries concerning God’s will that will only be revealed to those who revere God.
The double-minded are no threat to the enemy. But when you decide to whole-heartedly seek God, you become a weapon of mass destruction for His Kingdom. You may face lions of sickness, lions of disappointment, lions of adversity, but “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today” (Exodus 14:13). May the life of Daniel inspire us all to live a life of integrity, faithfulness, and perseverance in complete devotion to God.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Dealing with Disappointment
Dealing with Disappointment
Habakkuk 3:17-19
After preaching a sermon on disappointment, several men and women approached me with the same reaction: “I desperately needed to hear those words.” Countless people feel defeated and let down by disappointing situations. But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow.
A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don’t be quick to judge his or her conduct. We can’t fully understand what is going on in others’ lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, “How am I to respond?” God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts.
Third, follow His direction, even if it isn’t what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord’s way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth andresult in our greatest good.
And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointmentso destructive.
There is only one healthy method for dealing with letdown—pursue the Lord’s way and His will. Though human plans can be derailed, nothing alters God’s purpose. No matter how deep your hurt goes, He will shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
After preaching a sermon on disappointment, several men and women approached me with the same reaction: “I desperately needed to hear those words.” Countless people feel defeated and let down by disappointing situations. But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow.
A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don’t be quick to judge his or her conduct. We can’t fully understand what is going on in others’ lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, “How am I to respond?” God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts.
Third, follow His direction, even if it isn’t what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord’s way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth andresult in our greatest good.
And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointmentso destructive.
There is only one healthy method for dealing with letdown—pursue the Lord’s way and His will. Though human plans can be derailed, nothing alters God’s purpose. No matter how deep your hurt goes, He will shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith.
The king restores the Shunammite widow's land.
The king restores the Shunammite widow's land.
INSIGHT
Nothing happens in our lives or in the world apart from divine appointment or permission. Behind every event and incident, there is divine providence. The Shunammite widow, who has done so much for Elisha, is remembered and cared for years afterward. The Lord has a wonderful memory for those who feed Him when He is hungry and minister to Him when He is in need (see Matthew 25:37). The conversation between Gehazi, Elisha's servant, and the king might seem an accident, but it is providential. When we abide in the will of God, life is sown with divine coincidences.
PRAYER
For the Lord's sovereignty and goodness to us, offer this praise:
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:4).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I said, "Lord, be merciful to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You. . . ."
But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up,
That I may repay them. . . .
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen (Psalm 41:4, 10, 13).
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength (Isaiah 40:28-29).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
A stronger desire to be like Christ
Local churches across the nation
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
INSIGHT
Nothing happens in our lives or in the world apart from divine appointment or permission. Behind every event and incident, there is divine providence. The Shunammite widow, who has done so much for Elisha, is remembered and cared for years afterward. The Lord has a wonderful memory for those who feed Him when He is hungry and minister to Him when He is in need (see Matthew 25:37). The conversation between Gehazi, Elisha's servant, and the king might seem an accident, but it is providential. When we abide in the will of God, life is sown with divine coincidences.
PRAYER
For the Lord's sovereignty and goodness to us, offer this praise:
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:4).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I said, "Lord, be merciful to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You. . . ."
But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up,
That I may repay them. . . .
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen (Psalm 41:4, 10, 13).
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength (Isaiah 40:28-29).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
A stronger desire to be like Christ
Local churches across the nation
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
The story of Ezekiel is found in the book of Ezekiel.
Influential Men of the Bible: Ezekiel
The story of Ezekiel is found in the book of Ezekiel.
The prophet Ezekiel had the thankless job of proclaiming God’s message on the crowded and hostile streets of Babylon. At the same time Jeremiah was warning the citizens of Jerusalem of the coming destruction of that holy city, Ezekiel was preaching the same message to the exiles (those displaced) in Babylon. Even though God’s people were hundreds of miles away from their homes and the Temple, God would not leave them in the dark. Instead He sent Ezekiel to warn, exhort, and comfort the weary exiles. The people of Ezekiel’s day, suffering from the consequences of a history of rebellion against God, found it easier to blame their ancestors for sin than to take responsibility for their own offenses. God made it clear that we may suffer for someone else’s misdeeds, but we will be judged for our own (Ezekiel 18:30).
James instructs us that when we find ourselves in a time of great testing and trials, we can ask God for wisdom, “who gives to all liberally and without reproach,” (James 1:5 NJKV) remembering that God’s wisdom is not always what we want to hear, but it’s always what we need to hear. God’s love and chastisement may be currently painful, but afterward will prove to be rewarding life training (Hebrews 12:11). The purpose of God’s actions is always to bring about the spiritual renewal of all people. We can always find restoration when we turn to the Lord. God promised to rebuild, fortify, beautify, and bring fruitfulness to what was once wasted, desolate, and ruined (Ezekiel 36:33-35). “For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4 NKJV).
Even during the darkest days, God insisted that he would restore his people. This message offers hope and inspiration not just to the Jewish exiles, but to all who put their trust in Him. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones reminds us of God’s power and promise to restore and revive what was once dead in our lives (Ezekiel 37). Ezekiel points toward an even greater revelation of hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Him, God’s glory fully dwells in our midst as light in our times of darkness. The Good Shepherd restores His lost sheep. He fills us with His Spirit and makes us new creatures in Him (Ezekiel 36:26-28; 37:1-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Those who are on the Lord’s side have even greater access to God’s presence than Ezekiel’s visions anticipated. They are able to approach the throne of grace freely and drink from the life-giving water that flows from His presence. Everything that Ezekiel anticipated—and more—is ours in Christ.
The story of Ezekiel is found in the book of Ezekiel.
The prophet Ezekiel had the thankless job of proclaiming God’s message on the crowded and hostile streets of Babylon. At the same time Jeremiah was warning the citizens of Jerusalem of the coming destruction of that holy city, Ezekiel was preaching the same message to the exiles (those displaced) in Babylon. Even though God’s people were hundreds of miles away from their homes and the Temple, God would not leave them in the dark. Instead He sent Ezekiel to warn, exhort, and comfort the weary exiles. The people of Ezekiel’s day, suffering from the consequences of a history of rebellion against God, found it easier to blame their ancestors for sin than to take responsibility for their own offenses. God made it clear that we may suffer for someone else’s misdeeds, but we will be judged for our own (Ezekiel 18:30).
James instructs us that when we find ourselves in a time of great testing and trials, we can ask God for wisdom, “who gives to all liberally and without reproach,” (James 1:5 NJKV) remembering that God’s wisdom is not always what we want to hear, but it’s always what we need to hear. God’s love and chastisement may be currently painful, but afterward will prove to be rewarding life training (Hebrews 12:11). The purpose of God’s actions is always to bring about the spiritual renewal of all people. We can always find restoration when we turn to the Lord. God promised to rebuild, fortify, beautify, and bring fruitfulness to what was once wasted, desolate, and ruined (Ezekiel 36:33-35). “For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4 NKJV).
Even during the darkest days, God insisted that he would restore his people. This message offers hope and inspiration not just to the Jewish exiles, but to all who put their trust in Him. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones reminds us of God’s power and promise to restore and revive what was once dead in our lives (Ezekiel 37). Ezekiel points toward an even greater revelation of hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Him, God’s glory fully dwells in our midst as light in our times of darkness. The Good Shepherd restores His lost sheep. He fills us with His Spirit and makes us new creatures in Him (Ezekiel 36:26-28; 37:1-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Those who are on the Lord’s side have even greater access to God’s presence than Ezekiel’s visions anticipated. They are able to approach the throne of grace freely and drink from the life-giving water that flows from His presence. Everything that Ezekiel anticipated—and more—is ours in Christ.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Testing Positive for Growth
Testing Positive for Growth
Ephesians 4:14-16
When it comes to spiritual maturity, we can’t simply take for granted that we’re growing. To evaluate personal progress, I’ve compiled a brief inventory of spiritual benchmarks. Check the list for an idea of how you’re doing. But remember, these items are just a place to start; see the Bible for a complete growth chart!
We know we’re growing spiritually when we become increasingly aware of our sinfulness and weakness. As I read biographies of godly saints, it’s clear that they don’t “get better” with age and spiritual maturity. Instead, they become ever more sensitive to their dependence upon the Lord. Moreover, progress is apparent when we respond to sin with quick repentance.Failure to deal with sin is rebellion against God. Growing believers turn away from wrongdoing and embrace righteousness. As we live with the good results of dependence and repentance, our desire to obey intensifies, and the attraction of sin lessens.
Growth is also marked by an increase in two things—joy and struggle. Faith is often developed through hardship because living out the principles of trust and endurance help us “get it.” So we’ll see maturity in our relationship with God when we view trials and temptations as opportunities for growth.
Paul, David, and Daniel prove that adversity can help form spiritual giants. These men recognized sovereign God as the gatekeeper of their lives. We are maturing when we perceive whatever comes our way as
being from Him, which also means that He’s working it for good (Rom. 8:28).
Ephesians 4:14-16
When it comes to spiritual maturity, we can’t simply take for granted that we’re growing. To evaluate personal progress, I’ve compiled a brief inventory of spiritual benchmarks. Check the list for an idea of how you’re doing. But remember, these items are just a place to start; see the Bible for a complete growth chart!
We know we’re growing spiritually when we become increasingly aware of our sinfulness and weakness. As I read biographies of godly saints, it’s clear that they don’t “get better” with age and spiritual maturity. Instead, they become ever more sensitive to their dependence upon the Lord. Moreover, progress is apparent when we respond to sin with quick repentance.Failure to deal with sin is rebellion against God. Growing believers turn away from wrongdoing and embrace righteousness. As we live with the good results of dependence and repentance, our desire to obey intensifies, and the attraction of sin lessens.
Growth is also marked by an increase in two things—joy and struggle. Faith is often developed through hardship because living out the principles of trust and endurance help us “get it.” So we’ll see maturity in our relationship with God when we view trials and temptations as opportunities for growth.
Paul, David, and Daniel prove that adversity can help form spiritual giants. These men recognized sovereign God as the gatekeeper of their lives. We are maturing when we perceive whatever comes our way as
being from Him, which also means that He’s working it for good (Rom. 8:28).
Israel is delivered from Aram.
2 Kings 7
Israel is delivered from Aram.
INSIGHT
While we must be careful about "spiritualizing" what we read in the Old Testament and making it say something it doesn't, there is at least an excellent illustration in the defeat of the Aramean army relating to the message of the Gospel today. The lepers are lost and starving and come upon abundance adequate for their own welfare as well as the welfare of all others. They realize it is wrong to keep it to themselves, and they go out to tell others. The same is true of the Gospel of Christ. Those of us who have had our needs met by Him cannot be satisfied keeping it to ourselves—we must tell others.
PRAYER
Thank the Lord for the miracle of the "new birth," and praise Him for His grace:
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11).
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings (Psalm 33:1-2).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession as you seek to keep your life free from sin and its effects:
Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:4-5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord who protects you:
"God is Spirit, and those who worship
Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Spiritual victory over temptation
Opportunities to serve the Lord
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).
Israel is delivered from Aram.
INSIGHT
While we must be careful about "spiritualizing" what we read in the Old Testament and making it say something it doesn't, there is at least an excellent illustration in the defeat of the Aramean army relating to the message of the Gospel today. The lepers are lost and starving and come upon abundance adequate for their own welfare as well as the welfare of all others. They realize it is wrong to keep it to themselves, and they go out to tell others. The same is true of the Gospel of Christ. Those of us who have had our needs met by Him cannot be satisfied keeping it to ourselves—we must tell others.
PRAYER
Thank the Lord for the miracle of the "new birth," and praise Him for His grace:
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11).
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings (Psalm 33:1-2).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession as you seek to keep your life free from sin and its effects:
Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:4-5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord who protects you:
"God is Spirit, and those who worship
Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Spiritual victory over temptation
Opportunities to serve the Lord
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).
The story of Jeremiah is found in the book of Jeremiah.
Influential Men of the Bible: Jeremiah
The story of Jeremiah is found in the book of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, a man called in his youth, is sometimes called the “weeping prophet” because he shared his personal struggles as he delivered God’s messages. At first, Jeremiah retreated from his call (Jeremiah 1:6), but God assured Jeremiah that he would be told what to say, and that God would guide and protect him despite opposition (Jeremiah 1:7-8, 18-19). Jeremiah warned the people of Judah to repent in order to avoid exile. They had broken God’s covenant, primarily through idolatry, and as a result, they were subject to the covenant curses. They rejected God’s invitation, so Jeremiah later delivered messages of God’s inevitable judgment. Jeremiah was particularly hated by Judah’s leaders. He was put in prison, thrown into a well, and taken to Egypt against his will. He was not allowed to marry. He was rejected by his friends, neighbors, family, false priests and prophets, and kings. Jeremiah stood alone in his call for the people to repent and turn to God. And even though much of what he prophesied came true during his ministry, the people and leaders continued to ignore him. Yet through all the hardship and humiliation he was forced to endure, Jeremiah remained obedient and faithful to God. He may not have seen immediate results, but his struggle to obey God in a world that had turned away from its Creator has inspired generations of believers.
When isolation and persecution became more than he felt he could bear, in the time of his deepest need, Jeremiah cried out to God in prayer and praise. Sometimes this Christian walk may seem too hard, and the sacrifice appears too great, but just as Jeremiah found reassurance in the presence of God, we too can find refuge during times of inward anguish and moments of personal crisis. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” God is so good that He will not allow believers to experience anything for which He has not prepared them. He will give every believer the grace and power to endure. The Sovereign Lord “knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Peter 2:9). Endurance brings its own reward. Find comfort in knowing we are promised an imperishable crown at the completion of our earthly assignment (1 Corinthians 9:25).
The story of Jeremiah is found in the book of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, a man called in his youth, is sometimes called the “weeping prophet” because he shared his personal struggles as he delivered God’s messages. At first, Jeremiah retreated from his call (Jeremiah 1:6), but God assured Jeremiah that he would be told what to say, and that God would guide and protect him despite opposition (Jeremiah 1:7-8, 18-19). Jeremiah warned the people of Judah to repent in order to avoid exile. They had broken God’s covenant, primarily through idolatry, and as a result, they were subject to the covenant curses. They rejected God’s invitation, so Jeremiah later delivered messages of God’s inevitable judgment. Jeremiah was particularly hated by Judah’s leaders. He was put in prison, thrown into a well, and taken to Egypt against his will. He was not allowed to marry. He was rejected by his friends, neighbors, family, false priests and prophets, and kings. Jeremiah stood alone in his call for the people to repent and turn to God. And even though much of what he prophesied came true during his ministry, the people and leaders continued to ignore him. Yet through all the hardship and humiliation he was forced to endure, Jeremiah remained obedient and faithful to God. He may not have seen immediate results, but his struggle to obey God in a world that had turned away from its Creator has inspired generations of believers.
When isolation and persecution became more than he felt he could bear, in the time of his deepest need, Jeremiah cried out to God in prayer and praise. Sometimes this Christian walk may seem too hard, and the sacrifice appears too great, but just as Jeremiah found reassurance in the presence of God, we too can find refuge during times of inward anguish and moments of personal crisis. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” God is so good that He will not allow believers to experience anything for which He has not prepared them. He will give every believer the grace and power to endure. The Sovereign Lord “knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Peter 2:9). Endurance brings its own reward. Find comfort in knowing we are promised an imperishable crown at the completion of our earthly assignment (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Monday, June 20, 2011
Training to See God
Training to See God
Proverbs 3:24-26
David was confident that the Lord was always at his right hand (Ps. 16:8). His psalms reveal that in surveying his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. Like David, we must train our spiritual eyes to notice the evidence of our heavenly Father’s presence.
Seeing with spiritual eyes isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who walk before the Lord with a clear conscience will take captive unholy thoughts, habits, attitudes, and words. They cast out sin and live in righteousness. As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that sharpens their awareness of God’s presence and involvement in their lives.
I developed a habit years ago that has helped me to focus. When I lie down and talk to the Lord before going to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork a second time (even when the initial experience was difficult) etches the reality of His care deeper on my heart.
The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will see it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say, “I can because the Lord always enables me.” Live confident in our loving, omnipotent God, who dwells within you.
Proverbs 3:24-26
David was confident that the Lord was always at his right hand (Ps. 16:8). His psalms reveal that in surveying his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. Like David, we must train our spiritual eyes to notice the evidence of our heavenly Father’s presence.
Seeing with spiritual eyes isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who walk before the Lord with a clear conscience will take captive unholy thoughts, habits, attitudes, and words. They cast out sin and live in righteousness. As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that sharpens their awareness of God’s presence and involvement in their lives.
I developed a habit years ago that has helped me to focus. When I lie down and talk to the Lord before going to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork a second time (even when the initial experience was difficult) etches the reality of His care deeper on my heart.
The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will see it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say, “I can because the Lord always enables me.” Live confident in our loving, omnipotent God, who dwells within you.
When the Syrians threaten Elisha, they are struck blind.
2 Kings 6
When the Syrians threaten Elisha, they are struck blind.
INSIGHT
We often have no idea what is going on around us in the spiritual realm. Spiritual battles explode before our very eyes, but we neither see them nor hear them (Daniel 10:13). Guardian angels minister to our needs (Hebrews 1:14). We entertain angels "unwittingly" (Hebrews 13:2). How real and alive is the spiritual realm; yet without the Scriptures, we would know little about it. The Syrian army is camped around Dothan, but Elisha is not concerned because an army of the angels of the Lord encircles the horizon. We walk by faith and not by sight.
PRAYER
Thank the Lord that He can turn our failures into successes, and offer Him your praise in this psalm:
I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. . . .
The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18:1-3, 46).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way. . . .
For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great (Psalm 25:8-9, 11).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;
and the bread that I shall give is My flesh,
which I shall give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater wisdom in decision making
The needs of personal friends
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (2 Corinthians 13:14).
When the Syrians threaten Elisha, they are struck blind.
INSIGHT
We often have no idea what is going on around us in the spiritual realm. Spiritual battles explode before our very eyes, but we neither see them nor hear them (Daniel 10:13). Guardian angels minister to our needs (Hebrews 1:14). We entertain angels "unwittingly" (Hebrews 13:2). How real and alive is the spiritual realm; yet without the Scriptures, we would know little about it. The Syrian army is camped around Dothan, but Elisha is not concerned because an army of the angels of the Lord encircles the horizon. We walk by faith and not by sight.
PRAYER
Thank the Lord that He can turn our failures into successes, and offer Him your praise in this psalm:
I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. . . .
The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18:1-3, 46).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way. . . .
For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great (Psalm 25:8-9, 11).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;
and the bread that I shall give is My flesh,
which I shall give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater wisdom in decision making
The needs of personal friends
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The story of Isaiah is found in the book of Isaiah.
Influential Men of the Bible: Isaiah
The story of Isaiah is found in the book of Isaiah.
American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and presidential candidate Jesse Jackson is credited with the following quote: “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” In life’s darkest hour, if one can only conceive a vision of hope, hope has the power to triumph over despair. Jesus Christ in you, as declared in Colossians 1:27, is “the hope of glory!”
Christ is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), but He is also the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). God’s prophetic messages are often described as visions. The book of Isaiah is presented as “the vision of Isaiah” (Isaiah 1:1). Israel’s prophets were indeed seers. Isaiah himself “saw the Lord” (Isaiah 6:1), but his visionary insights were made shareable by being put into a written message: “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw” (Isaiah 2:1). Isaiah’s book is a vision in that it reveals, through symbols and reasoned thought, a God-centered way of seeing and living. It offers everyone the true alternative to the false appearances of the world.
Isaiah saw the Lord as high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1). He saw our glorious and holy God; a God who is unlimited in power; a God who is incapable of telling a lie or going back on His word. An eternal God, whose tenure never ends, He can never be dethroned or voted out. He’s the God who created the universe and framed the times and seasons. This same God called him, and purified him, and qualified him to proclaim His message. How do you see God? And furthermore, how do you see God in you?
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was that their hearts would be enlightened so that they would see what they have and who they already are in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-19). As you take time to meditate on God’s Word, I pray He floods your heart with glorious light that you may envision a renewed hope and a brighter tomorrow!
The story of Isaiah is found in the book of Isaiah.
American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and presidential candidate Jesse Jackson is credited with the following quote: “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” In life’s darkest hour, if one can only conceive a vision of hope, hope has the power to triumph over despair. Jesus Christ in you, as declared in Colossians 1:27, is “the hope of glory!”
Christ is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), but He is also the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). God’s prophetic messages are often described as visions. The book of Isaiah is presented as “the vision of Isaiah” (Isaiah 1:1). Israel’s prophets were indeed seers. Isaiah himself “saw the Lord” (Isaiah 6:1), but his visionary insights were made shareable by being put into a written message: “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw” (Isaiah 2:1). Isaiah’s book is a vision in that it reveals, through symbols and reasoned thought, a God-centered way of seeing and living. It offers everyone the true alternative to the false appearances of the world.
Isaiah saw the Lord as high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1). He saw our glorious and holy God; a God who is unlimited in power; a God who is incapable of telling a lie or going back on His word. An eternal God, whose tenure never ends, He can never be dethroned or voted out. He’s the God who created the universe and framed the times and seasons. This same God called him, and purified him, and qualified him to proclaim His message. How do you see God? And furthermore, how do you see God in you?
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was that their hearts would be enlightened so that they would see what they have and who they already are in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-19). As you take time to meditate on God’s Word, I pray He floods your heart with glorious light that you may envision a renewed hope and a brighter tomorrow!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Naaman is healed of leprosy when he obeys Elisha's directives.
2 Kings 5
Naaman is healed of leprosy when he obeys Elisha's directives.
INSIGHT
It is God who has power to move in the realm of the spiritual and miraculous—not man. So whether God asks us to do something difficult or simple, it doesn't matter. He will do the work behind our faith. Naaman learns this the hard way. His heart is open to God, for he goes to Elisha hoping that God will heal his leprosy. But when Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan seven times, Naaman roars: "Are not . . . the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel?" (v. 12). He misses the point. The point is not clean water or unclean. The point is: Does he believe God? The Jordan is merely a test of his faith in God. When Naaman realizes that, he washes and is healed.
PRAYER
By faith, we offer our praise to the Lord and thank Him for the power that makes us clean:
Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You (Nehemiah 9:5-6).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:17-18).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed,
for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep
what I have committed to Him until that Day (2 Timothy 1:12).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Faithfulness with your finances
Revival among Christians in America
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
Naaman is healed of leprosy when he obeys Elisha's directives.
INSIGHT
It is God who has power to move in the realm of the spiritual and miraculous—not man. So whether God asks us to do something difficult or simple, it doesn't matter. He will do the work behind our faith. Naaman learns this the hard way. His heart is open to God, for he goes to Elisha hoping that God will heal his leprosy. But when Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan seven times, Naaman roars: "Are not . . . the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel?" (v. 12). He misses the point. The point is not clean water or unclean. The point is: Does he believe God? The Jordan is merely a test of his faith in God. When Naaman realizes that, he washes and is healed.
PRAYER
By faith, we offer our praise to the Lord and thank Him for the power that makes us clean:
Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You (Nehemiah 9:5-6).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:17-18).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed,
for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep
what I have committed to Him until that Day (2 Timothy 1:12).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Faithfulness with your finances
Revival among Christians in America
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Following the Father’s Example
Following the Father’s Example
Ephesians 6:1-4
Do you have a strong relationship with your children? The way we first think about God has much to do with how we were parented—especially by our father. What image of the Lord are youportraying?
Many men struggle in their role as dads because their own fathers were either absent—physically or emotionally— or poor examples. But regardless of what a person experienced in the past, the best thing any parent can do is imitate God the Father. But how do we know who He really is?
We get our best glimpse of what the heavenly Father is like by looking at His Son. Speaking with the disciples, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me . . .
He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:6, 9). Not only is Christ our path to relationship with God; He is also the way we come to know the Father’s true character.
When we look at Jesus’ life, what do we see? He was merciful, patient, gentle, compassionate, kind, and full of goodness toward all people (Matt. 9:10-13). The Savior healed the sick, provided for needs, and offered forgiveness—regardless of the offense (Matt. 14:14-21; Luke 23:34). But in love, He didn’t hesitate to discipline or correct others when required.
More than a solid education or material possessions, your child’s greatest need is a role model of devotion to God through prayer, Bible reading, and holy living. If you make knowing and following the heavenly Father your first priority, you won’t have to worry about what kind of parent you will be.
Ephesians 6:1-4
Do you have a strong relationship with your children? The way we first think about God has much to do with how we were parented—especially by our father. What image of the Lord are youportraying?
Many men struggle in their role as dads because their own fathers were either absent—physically or emotionally— or poor examples. But regardless of what a person experienced in the past, the best thing any parent can do is imitate God the Father. But how do we know who He really is?
We get our best glimpse of what the heavenly Father is like by looking at His Son. Speaking with the disciples, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me . . .
He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:6, 9). Not only is Christ our path to relationship with God; He is also the way we come to know the Father’s true character.
When we look at Jesus’ life, what do we see? He was merciful, patient, gentle, compassionate, kind, and full of goodness toward all people (Matt. 9:10-13). The Savior healed the sick, provided for needs, and offered forgiveness—regardless of the offense (Matt. 14:14-21; Luke 23:34). But in love, He didn’t hesitate to discipline or correct others when required.
More than a solid education or material possessions, your child’s greatest need is a role model of devotion to God through prayer, Bible reading, and holy living. If you make knowing and following the heavenly Father your first priority, you won’t have to worry about what kind of parent you will be.
Elisha saves a Shunammite widow from economic disaster and revives her son from death.
2 Kings 4
Elisha saves a Shunammite widow from economic disaster and revives her son from death.
INSIGHT
Elisha's ministry is not startling; it is redemptive and constructive. Elijah was a prophet of fire and judgment; Elisha was a prophet of mercy and compassion. Elijah was a man on the move; Elisha enjoyed a tranquil life at home. Elijah's miracles were destructive; Elisha's were constructive. It must have been tempting for Elisha to want to be like Elijah. But he resists it; that is not what the Lord has for Elisha. He is his own man before the Lord. It is often tempting for us to want to be like someone else, to be dissatisfied with who we are and what we can do. Yet God made us to be what He wanted us to be. We must be content with who we are. It is so liberating. Accept yourself. God does.
PRAYER
Because the Lord made us and cares for us as we are, we offer Him the praise of our lips:
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him? . . .
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:3-4, 9).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater love for your family
The work of missions in North and South America
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely;
and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Elisha saves a Shunammite widow from economic disaster and revives her son from death.
INSIGHT
Elisha's ministry is not startling; it is redemptive and constructive. Elijah was a prophet of fire and judgment; Elisha was a prophet of mercy and compassion. Elijah was a man on the move; Elisha enjoyed a tranquil life at home. Elijah's miracles were destructive; Elisha's were constructive. It must have been tempting for Elisha to want to be like Elijah. But he resists it; that is not what the Lord has for Elisha. He is his own man before the Lord. It is often tempting for us to want to be like someone else, to be dissatisfied with who we are and what we can do. Yet God made us to be what He wanted us to be. We must be content with who we are. It is so liberating. Accept yourself. God does.
PRAYER
Because the Lord made us and cares for us as we are, we offer Him the praise of our lips:
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him? . . .
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:3-4, 9).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater love for your family
The work of missions in North and South America
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely;
and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Friday, June 17, 2011
Obligation to Future Generations
Obligation to Future Generations
Psalm 78
At any time, we are just one generation away from being a pagan nation. Consider what could happen to our country if we stopped sharing the truth about Jesus with our children: the next generation would exist with no biblical foundation.
This idea may sound extreme, but our recent history shows an unsettling tendency. Years ago, our country was founded upon scriptural principles. It was common for people to take their children to church and read the Bible aloud at home. As time went on, though, we became affluent and busy, pushing the Lord aside. Now, many children attend schools where God is not even mentioned—unless His name is used in vain.
As we see in Psalm 78, we have been given divine instruction to teach the truth to our children. We do this by modeling a godly life, teaching the Word, and sharing our testimony of the Father’s provision and leading. Our obedience concerning the training of children will determine the future moral character of our nation.
All believers have an important role to play in this—from the Sunday School teachers who instruct directly in a classroom to the volunteers who drive children to youth group. Parents in particular have the enormous responsibility to train their daughters and sons in righteousness.
Are you a parent or grandparent? Or are there other children within your circle of influence? Think about ways that you are purposefully teaching them how to walk with Christ. There is no task quite as
essential or fulfilling as investing in the lives of the next generation.
Psalm 78
At any time, we are just one generation away from being a pagan nation. Consider what could happen to our country if we stopped sharing the truth about Jesus with our children: the next generation would exist with no biblical foundation.
This idea may sound extreme, but our recent history shows an unsettling tendency. Years ago, our country was founded upon scriptural principles. It was common for people to take their children to church and read the Bible aloud at home. As time went on, though, we became affluent and busy, pushing the Lord aside. Now, many children attend schools where God is not even mentioned—unless His name is used in vain.
As we see in Psalm 78, we have been given divine instruction to teach the truth to our children. We do this by modeling a godly life, teaching the Word, and sharing our testimony of the Father’s provision and leading. Our obedience concerning the training of children will determine the future moral character of our nation.
All believers have an important role to play in this—from the Sunday School teachers who instruct directly in a classroom to the volunteers who drive children to youth group. Parents in particular have the enormous responsibility to train their daughters and sons in righteousness.
Are you a parent or grandparent? Or are there other children within your circle of influence? Think about ways that you are purposefully teaching them how to walk with Christ. There is no task quite as
essential or fulfilling as investing in the lives of the next generation.
The Lord takes Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.
2 Kings 2
The Lord takes Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.
INSIGHT
Miracles don't permeate the entire Bible. They tend to be concentrated during the times of Moses, the prophets, and Jesus. They occur other times as well, but these are the times of greatest concentration; and Elijah and Elisha represent one of the strongest periods. In our lives today, God seems rather inactive in comparison. Yet that is not because He is unable to act-but rather because He has chosen not to act in the same way. The power is still there, and we can rest in the confidence that He still has all things under control.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord who possesses power to do all things He desires:
O Lord, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep.
A senseless man does not know,
Nor does a fool understand this.
When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever (Psalm 92:5-7).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord who loves you:
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor,
that you through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Contentment in God's providence
Opportunities for watching God work
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
The Lord takes Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.
INSIGHT
Miracles don't permeate the entire Bible. They tend to be concentrated during the times of Moses, the prophets, and Jesus. They occur other times as well, but these are the times of greatest concentration; and Elijah and Elisha represent one of the strongest periods. In our lives today, God seems rather inactive in comparison. Yet that is not because He is unable to act-but rather because He has chosen not to act in the same way. The power is still there, and we can rest in the confidence that He still has all things under control.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord who possesses power to do all things He desires:
O Lord, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep.
A senseless man does not know,
Nor does a fool understand this.
When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever (Psalm 92:5-7).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord who loves you:
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor,
that you through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Contentment in God's providence
Opportunities for watching God work
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
The story of Solomon is found in 1st King Chapter 3
June 17, 2011
Influential Men of the Bible: Solomon
The story of Solomon is found in 1st King Chapter 3
King Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He was not David’s oldest son, but David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king. Solomon’s name means “peace”. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He wrote the Song of Songs, the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Early in his reign, King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord in a place called Gibeon (the most prestigious of the local shrine’s to worship in). While there, The LORD told Solomon in a dream to ask anything that he wanted. Most kings would have asked for wealth, respect, fame, or long life but not Solomon. Instead he asked for wisdom to carry out the awesome responsibilities that God had given him. God was certainly pleased with his request. God gave him wisdom unlike anyone else before or after him, plus he gave him what he did not ask for …wealth, respect, security, and long life. There was only one thing God asked of Solomon; (vs:14)And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. Just stay on course! Solomon became the wisest man who lived on Earth. One notable incident of his wisdom was in the case of two women claiming the same baby as their own. Solomon threatened to cut the baby in half. The first mother said okay to the solution, but the second mother could not accept the decision and was willing to give up the baby rather have the baby cut in half. Solomon then knew the second woman was the baby’s mother. Word got out. People from surrounding nations came to hear Solomon’s wisdom.
Have you ever wondered what you would ask for, if God came to you like He did Solomon and told you to, “ask me for anything you want.” Would you ask for money to pay bills or money so you can have a huge bank account…a Lexus or Mercedes Benz…or a house…better yet, a mansion? If you had God’s attention and He told you to ask for whatever you want, would you ask for wealth, honor, or prestige? Or would you ask for wisdom? Well, if the truth be told God has told you to ask. Jesus said in St. Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, and knock and the door shall be open.”
John 14:14 says: “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The thing Solomon asked God for showed what was in his heart. I believe that applies to us too. The very thing we ask God for shows what is actually in our hearts. Solomon wanted knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. What do you want? Stop saying you don’t know what God wants from you or wants you to be…ask Him! We can certainly follow Solomon’s example. We have to put out lives in priority. If you seek God’s kingdom first (making him top priority), he will work out the details (money, cars, wealth, prestige, etc.) in your life! Remember…God first, and everything else follows!
Influential Men of the Bible: Solomon
The story of Solomon is found in 1st King Chapter 3
King Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He was not David’s oldest son, but David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king. Solomon’s name means “peace”. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He wrote the Song of Songs, the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Early in his reign, King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord in a place called Gibeon (the most prestigious of the local shrine’s to worship in). While there, The LORD told Solomon in a dream to ask anything that he wanted. Most kings would have asked for wealth, respect, fame, or long life but not Solomon. Instead he asked for wisdom to carry out the awesome responsibilities that God had given him. God was certainly pleased with his request. God gave him wisdom unlike anyone else before or after him, plus he gave him what he did not ask for …wealth, respect, security, and long life. There was only one thing God asked of Solomon; (vs:14)And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. Just stay on course! Solomon became the wisest man who lived on Earth. One notable incident of his wisdom was in the case of two women claiming the same baby as their own. Solomon threatened to cut the baby in half. The first mother said okay to the solution, but the second mother could not accept the decision and was willing to give up the baby rather have the baby cut in half. Solomon then knew the second woman was the baby’s mother. Word got out. People from surrounding nations came to hear Solomon’s wisdom.
Have you ever wondered what you would ask for, if God came to you like He did Solomon and told you to, “ask me for anything you want.” Would you ask for money to pay bills or money so you can have a huge bank account…a Lexus or Mercedes Benz…or a house…better yet, a mansion? If you had God’s attention and He told you to ask for whatever you want, would you ask for wealth, honor, or prestige? Or would you ask for wisdom? Well, if the truth be told God has told you to ask. Jesus said in St. Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, and knock and the door shall be open.”
John 14:14 says: “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The thing Solomon asked God for showed what was in his heart. I believe that applies to us too. The very thing we ask God for shows what is actually in our hearts. Solomon wanted knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. What do you want? Stop saying you don’t know what God wants from you or wants you to be…ask Him! We can certainly follow Solomon’s example. We have to put out lives in priority. If you seek God’s kingdom first (making him top priority), he will work out the details (money, cars, wealth, prestige, etc.) in your life! Remember…God first, and everything else follows!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Standing Before God’s Open Door
Standing Before God’s Open Door
1 Corinthians 16:8-9
The apostle Paul had passion and vision to reach the world with the good news about salvation. As he followed the Spirit’s leading, his determination proved effective. There’s no telling how many lives the Lord transformed through this man. And his influence is still impacting people today.
Paul knew that Jesus had instructed His followers to “make disciples of all the nations,” teaching them to observe everything He had commanded (Matt. 28:19). God led and enabled the apostle to do his part in carrying out this divine mission.
But think about life back then—that was a big task for a time when there was no mass communication. Paul could only teach, write, or train others to share the truth. In spite of limited means, however, he obeyed fervently and effectively.
God’s command is still relevant for us today. He has given us the work of telling all nations about redemption through Christ’s blood and resurrection. Compared to Paul, we have an abundance of communication capabilities—including radio, television, Internet, and cell phones—which provide easy access into countries all over the world. We could make more disciples by better utilizing these technologies. But how tragic if we get busy and fail to obey God’s command.
We stand at a critical moment in history for the church. The door of opportunity is wide open for us to share the gospel through a variety of methods. As believers, we are obligated to carry out Christ’s Great Commission. Be careful that neither busyness nor apathy keeps you from obedience.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9
The apostle Paul had passion and vision to reach the world with the good news about salvation. As he followed the Spirit’s leading, his determination proved effective. There’s no telling how many lives the Lord transformed through this man. And his influence is still impacting people today.
Paul knew that Jesus had instructed His followers to “make disciples of all the nations,” teaching them to observe everything He had commanded (Matt. 28:19). God led and enabled the apostle to do his part in carrying out this divine mission.
But think about life back then—that was a big task for a time when there was no mass communication. Paul could only teach, write, or train others to share the truth. In spite of limited means, however, he obeyed fervently and effectively.
God’s command is still relevant for us today. He has given us the work of telling all nations about redemption through Christ’s blood and resurrection. Compared to Paul, we have an abundance of communication capabilities—including radio, television, Internet, and cell phones—which provide easy access into countries all over the world. We could make more disciples by better utilizing these technologies. But how tragic if we get busy and fail to obey God’s command.
We stand at a critical moment in history for the church. The door of opportunity is wide open for us to share the gospel through a variety of methods. As believers, we are obligated to carry out Christ’s Great Commission. Be careful that neither busyness nor apathy keeps you from obedience.
The Lord sends Elijah to inform Ahaziah that he will die.
2 Kings 1
The Lord sends Elijah to inform Ahaziah that he will die.
INSIGHT
Ahab and Jezebel have become famous for their irreverence and disregard for the Law of the Lord. Yet Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, goes beyond them in his blatant disregard for the Lord. After an accident, he inquires of Baal-Zebub, the pagan god of Ekron, whether or not he will recover. Elijah informs the messengers that Ahaziah will die. No longer afraid, Elijah has been strengthened from his previous failure. We must always look at failure as an opportunity to grow.
PRAYER
God often uses our hard times to refine us into the people He wants us to be. Give Him your praise for His care:
You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness' sake, O Lord (Psalm 25:6-7).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater trust in God's leading in your life
The ministry of your local church
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
The Lord sends Elijah to inform Ahaziah that he will die.
INSIGHT
Ahab and Jezebel have become famous for their irreverence and disregard for the Law of the Lord. Yet Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, goes beyond them in his blatant disregard for the Lord. After an accident, he inquires of Baal-Zebub, the pagan god of Ekron, whether or not he will recover. Elijah informs the messengers that Ahaziah will die. No longer afraid, Elijah has been strengthened from his previous failure. We must always look at failure as an opportunity to grow.
PRAYER
God often uses our hard times to refine us into the people He wants us to be. Give Him your praise for His care:
You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness' sake, O Lord (Psalm 25:6-7).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater trust in God's leading in your life
The ministry of your local church
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Influential Men of the Bible: Ezra
Influential Men of the Bible: Ezra
The Story of Ezra can be found in the book of Scripture which bears his name. Ezra’s personal history is contained in the last four chapters of his book, and in Neh. 8 and 12:26. Ezra is described as "a ready scribe in the law of Moses," who "had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it…" (Ezra 7:10).
Ezra’s commitment “to seek the law of the Lord and to do it,” reminds me of a similar statement made to Joshua by the Lord. The Lord said these words in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.
We all want to be successful. We want successful careers. We want successful marriages. We also want our children to be successful. But we don’t always know how to make success happen in our lives. Here is the answer – seek God’s Word and do it. Think of the Bible as an owners manual. If your Ford vehicle needed to be repaired you wouldn’t use a GM owners manual to try and make those repairs. Similarly, when you have questions about your life, when you need something in your life “repaired” the best thing we can do is refer to our owners manual, the Holy Bible. In it we find “instruction in righteousness.”
My friend, the Bible has every answer that you need about life so make a commitment from this day forward to seek the law of the Lord so that you will prosper in all you do.
The Story of Ezra can be found in the book of Scripture which bears his name. Ezra’s personal history is contained in the last four chapters of his book, and in Neh. 8 and 12:26. Ezra is described as "a ready scribe in the law of Moses," who "had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it…" (Ezra 7:10).
Ezra’s commitment “to seek the law of the Lord and to do it,” reminds me of a similar statement made to Joshua by the Lord. The Lord said these words in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.
We all want to be successful. We want successful careers. We want successful marriages. We also want our children to be successful. But we don’t always know how to make success happen in our lives. Here is the answer – seek God’s Word and do it. Think of the Bible as an owners manual. If your Ford vehicle needed to be repaired you wouldn’t use a GM owners manual to try and make those repairs. Similarly, when you have questions about your life, when you need something in your life “repaired” the best thing we can do is refer to our owners manual, the Holy Bible. In it we find “instruction in righteousness.”
My friend, the Bible has every answer that you need about life so make a commitment from this day forward to seek the law of the Lord so that you will prosper in all you do.
Influential Men of the Bible: Ezra
The Story of Ezra can be found in the book of Scripture which bears his name. Ezra’s personal history is contained in the last four chapters of his book, and in Neh. 8 and 12:26. Ezra is described as "a ready scribe in the law of Moses," who "had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it…" (Ezra 7:10).
Ezra’s commitment “to seek the law of the Lord and to do it,” reminds me of a similar statement made to Joshua by the Lord. The Lord said these words in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.
We all want to be successful. We want successful careers. We want successful marriages. We also want our children to be successful. But we don’t always know how to make success happen in our lives. Here is the answer – seek God’s Word and do it. Think of the Bible as an owners manual. If your Ford vehicle needed to be repaired you wouldn’t use a GM owners manual to try and make those repairs. Similarly, when you have questions about your life, when you need something in your life “repaired” the best thing we can do is refer to our owners manual, the Holy Bible. In it we find “instruction in righteousness.”
My friend, the Bible has every answer that you need about life so make a commitment from this day forward to seek the law of the Lord so that you will prosper in all you do.
The Story of Ezra can be found in the book of Scripture which bears his name. Ezra’s personal history is contained in the last four chapters of his book, and in Neh. 8 and 12:26. Ezra is described as "a ready scribe in the law of Moses," who "had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it…" (Ezra 7:10).
Ezra’s commitment “to seek the law of the Lord and to do it,” reminds me of a similar statement made to Joshua by the Lord. The Lord said these words in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.
We all want to be successful. We want successful careers. We want successful marriages. We also want our children to be successful. But we don’t always know how to make success happen in our lives. Here is the answer – seek God’s Word and do it. Think of the Bible as an owners manual. If your Ford vehicle needed to be repaired you wouldn’t use a GM owners manual to try and make those repairs. Similarly, when you have questions about your life, when you need something in your life “repaired” the best thing we can do is refer to our owners manual, the Holy Bible. In it we find “instruction in righteousness.”
My friend, the Bible has every answer that you need about life so make a commitment from this day forward to seek the law of the Lord so that you will prosper in all you do.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
God Is Our Keeper
God Is Our Keeper
Psalm 121:3-8
We learned yesterday that God is our protector. David’s song in Psalm 121 also portrays the Lord as our keeper.
“He who keeps you will not slumber” (v. 3b). Many young children are fearful in the dark. If they awake when everyone else is sleeping, little ones might feel alone and scared. Our Caretaker needs no sleep; He is always alert and attentive to our cries, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.
“The Lord is your keeper . . . He will keep your soul”(vv. 5, 7). When parents have to leave their children, they choose a trusted person to put in charge. We often say that this individual is “keeping” the kids. The babysitter is expected to protect and provide for the children. How much more invested and capable is our heavenly Father! Besides preserving us physically and spiritually, He restrains us from wrong thoughts, harmful words, and inappropriate actions. His Holy Spirit gives warnings to keep us from evil, and He also provides guidance so we’ll grow in a godly direction.
“The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (v. 8). God is sovereign. He is with us always—protecting, pointing the way, and teaching. He accompanies and leads even in the small tasks that seem insignificant.
When we grow up, many of us feel sadness and a little fear as we leave the safety of our parents’ home. But we never leave the precious love and care of our heavenly Father. God is our keeper, and He cares for us better than any earthly mom or dad ever could.
Psalm 121:3-8
We learned yesterday that God is our protector. David’s song in Psalm 121 also portrays the Lord as our keeper.
“He who keeps you will not slumber” (v. 3b). Many young children are fearful in the dark. If they awake when everyone else is sleeping, little ones might feel alone and scared. Our Caretaker needs no sleep; He is always alert and attentive to our cries, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.
“The Lord is your keeper . . . He will keep your soul”(vv. 5, 7). When parents have to leave their children, they choose a trusted person to put in charge. We often say that this individual is “keeping” the kids. The babysitter is expected to protect and provide for the children. How much more invested and capable is our heavenly Father! Besides preserving us physically and spiritually, He restrains us from wrong thoughts, harmful words, and inappropriate actions. His Holy Spirit gives warnings to keep us from evil, and He also provides guidance so we’ll grow in a godly direction.
“The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (v. 8). God is sovereign. He is with us always—protecting, pointing the way, and teaching. He accompanies and leads even in the small tasks that seem insignificant.
When we grow up, many of us feel sadness and a little fear as we leave the safety of our parents’ home. But we never leave the precious love and care of our heavenly Father. God is our keeper, and He cares for us better than any earthly mom or dad ever could.
Elijah flees from Jezebel, and the Lord ministers to him after saving him.
1 Kings 19
Elijah flees from Jezebel, and the Lord ministers to him after saving him.
INSIGHT
On the heels of the stupendous victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah falls into despair. He fears for his own life in the face of Jezebel's threat and flees to a lonely mountain for safety—to lick his wounds and mourn his fate. How shameful that this great prophet would call down fire from heaven one day and flee for his life the next. We all have feet of clay. Notice though that God does not berate him. Rather, He ministers to him quietly, restoring his spirit and strength. Then God calls Elijah back into His service again. God cares when we are hurt and discouraged and gently calls us to Himself for new strength.
PRAYER
Offer to the Lord your praise for His lovingkindness on your behalf:
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name (Psalm 63:3-4).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel,
and this is what I have done (Joshua 7:20).
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day (Psalm 25:4-5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater passion for moral excellence
The ministry of Christian educational institutions
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began . . . to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen (Romans 16:25-27).
Elijah flees from Jezebel, and the Lord ministers to him after saving him.
INSIGHT
On the heels of the stupendous victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah falls into despair. He fears for his own life in the face of Jezebel's threat and flees to a lonely mountain for safety—to lick his wounds and mourn his fate. How shameful that this great prophet would call down fire from heaven one day and flee for his life the next. We all have feet of clay. Notice though that God does not berate him. Rather, He ministers to him quietly, restoring his spirit and strength. Then God calls Elijah back into His service again. God cares when we are hurt and discouraged and gently calls us to Himself for new strength.
PRAYER
Offer to the Lord your praise for His lovingkindness on your behalf:
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name (Psalm 63:3-4).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel,
and this is what I have done (Joshua 7:20).
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day (Psalm 25:4-5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater passion for moral excellence
The ministry of Christian educational institutions
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began . . . to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen (Romans 16:25-27).
The story of Isaac is told in Genesis 21 – 28
Influential Men Of The Bible
Isaac
The story of Isaac is told in Genesis 21 – 28
The only son of Abraham by Sarah. He was born in the south country, probably Beer-sheba (Gen. 21:14,31), when Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90 years old (Gen. 17: 17; 21: 5). He was named Isaac because both Abraham and Sarah had laughed at the thought of having a child at their age (Gen. 17:17-19; 18:9-15; 21:6). His birth must be regarded as a miracle. It was 25 years after God had promised the childless Abraham and Sarah a son, that the promise was fulfilled. He is rightly called the child of promise, in contrast with Ishmael, who was born of Hagar, Sarah's maid, and Abraham. When he was eight days old, he was circumcised (Gen. 21:4). Fearing future jealousy and strife between the two boys when she observed Ishmael mocking Isaac, Sarah tried to persuade Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was unwilling to do this because he loved the boy, and did so only when he received explicit direction from God, who said to him that his seed would be called in Isaac, but He would also make of Ishmael a nation (Gen. 21 :9-13).
The next recorded event in the life of Isaac is connected with God's command to Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice on a mountain in the land of Moriah (Gen. 22). It is his acceptance of his father's purpose, his unquestioning submission and obedience, that stand out as much as his father's faith. Bound upon the altar and about to be slain, his life was spared when an angel of the Lord stepped in and substituted for him a ram, which was offered up instead of him .”And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Gen 22:14).
Sometimes God may ask us to follow instructions that seem strange to us, but if we will give God complete obedience, then His will shall be accomplished with us in the center of it. Would you want to miss out on the blessings of God because you fail to obey? Just like Abraham no doubt you have thought God’s requests seem strange, but He obeyed and was blessed for it. Isaac complied with complete obedience to his father’s strange request and was also in the middle of the blessing. Make today the day you get caught in the middle of God’s blessings through your obedience to His Word.
Isaac
The story of Isaac is told in Genesis 21 – 28
The only son of Abraham by Sarah. He was born in the south country, probably Beer-sheba (Gen. 21:14,31), when Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90 years old (Gen. 17: 17; 21: 5). He was named Isaac because both Abraham and Sarah had laughed at the thought of having a child at their age (Gen. 17:17-19; 18:9-15; 21:6). His birth must be regarded as a miracle. It was 25 years after God had promised the childless Abraham and Sarah a son, that the promise was fulfilled. He is rightly called the child of promise, in contrast with Ishmael, who was born of Hagar, Sarah's maid, and Abraham. When he was eight days old, he was circumcised (Gen. 21:4). Fearing future jealousy and strife between the two boys when she observed Ishmael mocking Isaac, Sarah tried to persuade Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was unwilling to do this because he loved the boy, and did so only when he received explicit direction from God, who said to him that his seed would be called in Isaac, but He would also make of Ishmael a nation (Gen. 21 :9-13).
The next recorded event in the life of Isaac is connected with God's command to Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice on a mountain in the land of Moriah (Gen. 22). It is his acceptance of his father's purpose, his unquestioning submission and obedience, that stand out as much as his father's faith. Bound upon the altar and about to be slain, his life was spared when an angel of the Lord stepped in and substituted for him a ram, which was offered up instead of him .”And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Gen 22:14).
Sometimes God may ask us to follow instructions that seem strange to us, but if we will give God complete obedience, then His will shall be accomplished with us in the center of it. Would you want to miss out on the blessings of God because you fail to obey? Just like Abraham no doubt you have thought God’s requests seem strange, but He obeyed and was blessed for it. Isaac complied with complete obedience to his father’s strange request and was also in the middle of the blessing. Make today the day you get caught in the middle of God’s blessings through your obedience to His Word.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Our Protector
Our Protector
Psalm 121:1-3
In Psalm 121, David describes the safety he finds in the Lord. Over the next two days, let’s look closely at several verses to better understand our security.
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord” (vv. 1-2). When this was written, robbers dwelled in the mountains, waiting for innocent travelers to become their unsuspecting victims. Needless to say, journeying through these hilly roads must have caused anxiety. David’s work as a shepherd took him into dangerous areas, where not only thieves but also wild animals posed a threat.
Our lives can be like mountainous territory. Do you look into the future and wonder what dangers lurk? The Lord is our helper; He is the only one able to protect us. Friends and relatives can offer limited assistance, but God knows everything and has all the power necessary to rescue us.
“He will not allow your foot to slip”(v. 3a). God has provided everything we need in order to avoid sin. The Holy Spirit directs and empowers us; the Word lights our path so we do not slip. Yet at times, we choose to sin. Almighty God could stop us from disobeying, but He doesn’t interfere with our free will. Instead, He upholds us, enabling us to walk in His way.
These opening verses focus on the Lord’s ability to protect us in treacherous times. Whether trouble originates with others, external circumstances, or our own sin, we can find ourselves in danger and afraid. Thankfully, we have a loving God who leads us to safety.
Psalm 121:1-3
In Psalm 121, David describes the safety he finds in the Lord. Over the next two days, let’s look closely at several verses to better understand our security.
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord” (vv. 1-2). When this was written, robbers dwelled in the mountains, waiting for innocent travelers to become their unsuspecting victims. Needless to say, journeying through these hilly roads must have caused anxiety. David’s work as a shepherd took him into dangerous areas, where not only thieves but also wild animals posed a threat.
Our lives can be like mountainous territory. Do you look into the future and wonder what dangers lurk? The Lord is our helper; He is the only one able to protect us. Friends and relatives can offer limited assistance, but God knows everything and has all the power necessary to rescue us.
“He will not allow your foot to slip”(v. 3a). God has provided everything we need in order to avoid sin. The Holy Spirit directs and empowers us; the Word lights our path so we do not slip. Yet at times, we choose to sin. Almighty God could stop us from disobeying, but He doesn’t interfere with our free will. Instead, He upholds us, enabling us to walk in His way.
These opening verses focus on the Lord’s ability to protect us in treacherous times. Whether trouble originates with others, external circumstances, or our own sin, we can find ourselves in danger and afraid. Thankfully, we have a loving God who leads us to safety.
The prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
1 Kings 18
The prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
INSIGHT
The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is one of the most exciting chapters in the Bible, with fire raining down from heaven—consuming meat, water, and stone! Then after Baal worship is defeated, it rains, signifying an end to that judgment. Elijah prays, "Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again" (v. 37). God does not punish His children for sin but rather chastens them in the hope that they will repent and return to Him.
PRAYER
Let us praise the Lord in the words of this psalm:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:1-3, 8).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly (2 Samuel 24:10).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
The leading of the Lord in your life
Opportunities for personal evangelism
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8).
The prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
INSIGHT
The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is one of the most exciting chapters in the Bible, with fire raining down from heaven—consuming meat, water, and stone! Then after Baal worship is defeated, it rains, signifying an end to that judgment. Elijah prays, "Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again" (v. 37). God does not punish His children for sin but rather chastens them in the hope that they will repent and return to Him.
PRAYER
Let us praise the Lord in the words of this psalm:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:1-3, 8).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly (2 Samuel 24:10).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
The leading of the Lord in your life
Opportunities for personal evangelism
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8).
The story of Abraham is found in the Book of Genesis, 11:26 to 25:18.
Influential Men Of The Bible: Abraham
The story of Abraham is found in the Book of Genesis, 11:26 to 25:18.
The first patriarch of Israel; son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Haran. At first his name was Abram ("the Father is exalted") but God changed it to Abraham ("a father of many nations", Gen 17:5). His family originally lived near the southern Mesopotamian city Ur of the Chaldees, but Terah took him, along with Lot, the son of Haran, to the city of Haran in northwest Mesopotamia (Gen 11:31).
After the death of his father (Gen 11:32) the Lord commanded him to leave his home for a new land; in return God promised Abraham that he would become a blessing to all nations. Abraham obeyed and migrated to Canaan. He soon became wealthy, but he still had no son. Because Sarah was advanced in years, she substituted her Egyptian slave Hagar, who bore Ishmael, Abraham's first son. Later, in accord with a divine promise, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Abraham's faith was put to a severe test when God commanded that he sacrifice Isaac, his only son by Sarah. Abraham did not waver and he prepared for the sacrifice, but God spared the boy at the last moment, substituting a ram.
Following God involves a daily walk with God in obedience and faith. There are times that we need to trust Him in spite of outward circumstances. God has promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). But you may be going through great difficulties. And you are wondering where God is at this time in your life. Whether it is the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, or an unfulfilled desire, God is still by your side.
My friend, these times may be difficult but keep looking to God's Word. Meditate on verses of Scripture that describe His faithfulness to His children. Then think about the times that He has been faithful to you.
God’s timing is not our timing. We may have our own "set time" when we expect certain things to happen, but it does not always work out that way. God's delays are not His denials. They are His way of providing His best for our lives
The story of Abraham is found in the Book of Genesis, 11:26 to 25:18.
The first patriarch of Israel; son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Haran. At first his name was Abram ("the Father is exalted") but God changed it to Abraham ("a father of many nations", Gen 17:5). His family originally lived near the southern Mesopotamian city Ur of the Chaldees, but Terah took him, along with Lot, the son of Haran, to the city of Haran in northwest Mesopotamia (Gen 11:31).
After the death of his father (Gen 11:32) the Lord commanded him to leave his home for a new land; in return God promised Abraham that he would become a blessing to all nations. Abraham obeyed and migrated to Canaan. He soon became wealthy, but he still had no son. Because Sarah was advanced in years, she substituted her Egyptian slave Hagar, who bore Ishmael, Abraham's first son. Later, in accord with a divine promise, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Abraham's faith was put to a severe test when God commanded that he sacrifice Isaac, his only son by Sarah. Abraham did not waver and he prepared for the sacrifice, but God spared the boy at the last moment, substituting a ram.
Following God involves a daily walk with God in obedience and faith. There are times that we need to trust Him in spite of outward circumstances. God has promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). But you may be going through great difficulties. And you are wondering where God is at this time in your life. Whether it is the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, or an unfulfilled desire, God is still by your side.
My friend, these times may be difficult but keep looking to God's Word. Meditate on verses of Scripture that describe His faithfulness to His children. Then think about the times that He has been faithful to you.
God’s timing is not our timing. We may have our own "set time" when we expect certain things to happen, but it does not always work out that way. God's delays are not His denials. They are His way of providing His best for our lives
Influential Men Of The Bible: Abraham
The story of Abraham is found in the Book of Genesis, 11:26 to 25:18.
The first patriarch of Israel; son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Haran. At first his name was Abram ("the Father is exalted") but God changed it to Abraham ("a father of many nations", Gen 17:5). His family originally lived near the southern Mesopotamian city Ur of the Chaldees, but Terah took him, along with Lot, the son of Haran, to the city of Haran in northwest Mesopotamia (Gen 11:31).
After the death of his father (Gen 11:32) the Lord commanded him to leave his home for a new land; in return God promised Abraham that he would become a blessing to all nations. Abraham obeyed and migrated to Canaan. He soon became wealthy, but he still had no son. Because Sarah was advanced in years, she substituted her Egyptian slave Hagar, who bore Ishmael, Abraham's first son. Later, in accord with a divine promise, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Abraham's faith was put to a severe test when God commanded that he sacrifice Isaac, his only son by Sarah. Abraham did not waver and he prepared for the sacrifice, but God spared the boy at the last moment, substituting a ram.
Following God involves a daily walk with God in obedience and faith. There are times that we need to trust Him in spite of outward circumstances. God has promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). But you may be going through great difficulties. And you are wondering where God is at this time in your life. Whether it is the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, or an unfulfilled desire, God is still by your side.
My friend, these times may be difficult but keep looking to God's Word. Meditate on verses of Scripture that describe His faithfulness to His children. Then think about the times that He has been faithful to you.
God’s timing is not our timing. We may have our own "set time" when we expect certain things to happen, but it does not always work out that way. God's delays are not His denials. They are His way of providing His best for our lives
The story of Abraham is found in the Book of Genesis, 11:26 to 25:18.
The first patriarch of Israel; son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Haran. At first his name was Abram ("the Father is exalted") but God changed it to Abraham ("a father of many nations", Gen 17:5). His family originally lived near the southern Mesopotamian city Ur of the Chaldees, but Terah took him, along with Lot, the son of Haran, to the city of Haran in northwest Mesopotamia (Gen 11:31).
After the death of his father (Gen 11:32) the Lord commanded him to leave his home for a new land; in return God promised Abraham that he would become a blessing to all nations. Abraham obeyed and migrated to Canaan. He soon became wealthy, but he still had no son. Because Sarah was advanced in years, she substituted her Egyptian slave Hagar, who bore Ishmael, Abraham's first son. Later, in accord with a divine promise, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Abraham's faith was put to a severe test when God commanded that he sacrifice Isaac, his only son by Sarah. Abraham did not waver and he prepared for the sacrifice, but God spared the boy at the last moment, substituting a ram.
Following God involves a daily walk with God in obedience and faith. There are times that we need to trust Him in spite of outward circumstances. God has promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). But you may be going through great difficulties. And you are wondering where God is at this time in your life. Whether it is the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, or an unfulfilled desire, God is still by your side.
My friend, these times may be difficult but keep looking to God's Word. Meditate on verses of Scripture that describe His faithfulness to His children. Then think about the times that He has been faithful to you.
God’s timing is not our timing. We may have our own "set time" when we expect certain things to happen, but it does not always work out that way. God's delays are not His denials. They are His way of providing His best for our lives
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