Today's Passage: Joshua 5-6
Alright, so there are a few stories in the Bible that are difficult to believe. I often think, "Did that really happen?" This section of Joshua is definitely a story that is hard to swallow. However, there is no evidence to prove otherwise and the Biblical data is quite sufficient in proving the capabilities of our God.
Upon reflection, the reality is I don't doubt the actual stories that are contained in Scripture, but I sometimes doubt God himself! My attitude may be one that does not believe that God is truly powerful. It is stories like the conquest of Jericho that highlight the Christian faith. This is the difficult yet powerful part of the lives of Christ, faith! We believe in that which we cannot see, and we are called to live out this faith as well. The Biblical record contains story upon story of the amazing nature of God and how he demonstrates his power in our natural world. I walk away from Joshua 5-6 realizing my finiteness and the infinite power of our God. What a great and true story!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Today's Passage: Mark 16
"Who will roll the stone away?" That was the biggest question the women had as they approached the tomb. They weren't concerned about the words Jesus had taught them, that He would overcome death. They weren't thinking about His promise that He would rise again. They were focused on a big, immovable stone. I've seen a copy of what they thought this stone would look like, and let me tell you, they weren't going to move it. It would take several strong men just to budge it...in fact, they made a track in the stone for it to roll, because they knew that once the stone was in place, it would take a huge effort to move it in front of the door to the tomb. They didn't design them to move again, for there was no need.
They were focused on a human problem, but Jesus dealt with an eternal one. They were worried about a big stone, but that stone was merely a symbol of what Jesus did to sin, death and hell! It's funny that once they got there, the stone was forgotten because they realized that Jesus was all He said He was and more!
What stone are you focused on today...is it an earthly problem that seems so big that no one can solve it? Jesus is working on so much more in your life. Can you look past the stone to see what eternal thing He's got for you today? He may be working on something that could make you forget that stone was ever a problem to begin with!
"Who will roll the stone away?" That was the biggest question the women had as they approached the tomb. They weren't concerned about the words Jesus had taught them, that He would overcome death. They weren't thinking about His promise that He would rise again. They were focused on a big, immovable stone. I've seen a copy of what they thought this stone would look like, and let me tell you, they weren't going to move it. It would take several strong men just to budge it...in fact, they made a track in the stone for it to roll, because they knew that once the stone was in place, it would take a huge effort to move it in front of the door to the tomb. They didn't design them to move again, for there was no need.
They were focused on a human problem, but Jesus dealt with an eternal one. They were worried about a big stone, but that stone was merely a symbol of what Jesus did to sin, death and hell! It's funny that once they got there, the stone was forgotten because they realized that Jesus was all He said He was and more!
What stone are you focused on today...is it an earthly problem that seems so big that no one can solve it? Jesus is working on so much more in your life. Can you look past the stone to see what eternal thing He's got for you today? He may be working on something that could make you forget that stone was ever a problem to begin with!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday July 5, 2009
Joshua 3-4
Wow! Here it is! The long awaited promise by God to His people---THE PROMISED LAND! If you are familiar with the stories to come, then you understand that this was not the finish line. It was just the beginning.
Philippians 1:6 says, "...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Just because they had reached the promised land did not mean that God was finished with them.
Have you ever longed for something-- a new job, a new home, a new relationship? We may have even longed for a spiritual peak--an ultimate experience with God. These all turn out to be our "finish lines." We often desire for God to be done with us-- as if we've arrived--this always presents a crossroads. When we realize we can't stay where we are, we must either press on ahead further into the promise, or turn back into selfishness, doing things our way, our comfort zone. What is strange is that we have forgotten that our last comfort zone at one time was the unknown promised land!
All of what we're reading and blogging about is not about the Israelites, or what we can apply from them to our lives. It is about God. His plan. His testimonies. His glory. "...That all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever (4:24).
Thank you, Jesus, for the POWER of Your word!
Joshua 3-4
Wow! Here it is! The long awaited promise by God to His people---THE PROMISED LAND! If you are familiar with the stories to come, then you understand that this was not the finish line. It was just the beginning.
Philippians 1:6 says, "...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Just because they had reached the promised land did not mean that God was finished with them.
Have you ever longed for something-- a new job, a new home, a new relationship? We may have even longed for a spiritual peak--an ultimate experience with God. These all turn out to be our "finish lines." We often desire for God to be done with us-- as if we've arrived--this always presents a crossroads. When we realize we can't stay where we are, we must either press on ahead further into the promise, or turn back into selfishness, doing things our way, our comfort zone. What is strange is that we have forgotten that our last comfort zone at one time was the unknown promised land!
All of what we're reading and blogging about is not about the Israelites, or what we can apply from them to our lives. It is about God. His plan. His testimonies. His glory. "...That all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever (4:24).
Thank you, Jesus, for the POWER of Your word!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Today's Passage: Joshua 1-2
The passage begins with the placement of Joshua as the new leader of the Israelite people. Moses had been leading the Israelites on their journey since the exodus out of Egypt. Although Joshua had been watching and assisting a great leader, God was now placing him at the forefront to assume his new role. This was a pretty big responsibility for Joshua to handle. God comforts Him regarding his new role by admonishing him that He has and will always be there with Him. There are many times throughout this book where the phrase, “be strong and very courageous” is said to encourage Joshua in what he needs to do. It hit me though, that the reason Joshua is able to be strong and courageous is because of his close adherence to God’s commandments, and thus, close connection to God’s Word. Joshua 1:8 is a commonly memorized verse, and if you’ve never put this verse in your “tool bag,” this would be a great opportunity for that to happen.
The second chapter tells the story of the prostitute Rahab. These two chapters connect on a similar level in regards to being strong and courageous. Her faith in the matter of trusting God to provide her a way of helping His people out was incredible! I tried to visualize how this was all taking place, and when I did that, I was able to see just how she was able to take an opportunity and be courageous in it. Rahab was probably going about her normal life when this occurrence happened and afterwards, I imagine it changed her life.
How many times are we faced with opportunities to serve God in some capacity and all it takes is for us to step out on faith, or better said, to be strong and very courageous? Then we can see just how the Lord can use us, even when we might think that there is nothing we can do! So my challenge for you today, on the fourth of July, is to be very strong and courageous by seizing the opportunities the Lord gives you!
The passage begins with the placement of Joshua as the new leader of the Israelite people. Moses had been leading the Israelites on their journey since the exodus out of Egypt. Although Joshua had been watching and assisting a great leader, God was now placing him at the forefront to assume his new role. This was a pretty big responsibility for Joshua to handle. God comforts Him regarding his new role by admonishing him that He has and will always be there with Him. There are many times throughout this book where the phrase, “be strong and very courageous” is said to encourage Joshua in what he needs to do. It hit me though, that the reason Joshua is able to be strong and courageous is because of his close adherence to God’s commandments, and thus, close connection to God’s Word. Joshua 1:8 is a commonly memorized verse, and if you’ve never put this verse in your “tool bag,” this would be a great opportunity for that to happen.
The second chapter tells the story of the prostitute Rahab. These two chapters connect on a similar level in regards to being strong and courageous. Her faith in the matter of trusting God to provide her a way of helping His people out was incredible! I tried to visualize how this was all taking place, and when I did that, I was able to see just how she was able to take an opportunity and be courageous in it. Rahab was probably going about her normal life when this occurrence happened and afterwards, I imagine it changed her life.
How many times are we faced with opportunities to serve God in some capacity and all it takes is for us to step out on faith, or better said, to be strong and very courageous? Then we can see just how the Lord can use us, even when we might think that there is nothing we can do! So my challenge for you today, on the fourth of July, is to be very strong and courageous by seizing the opportunities the Lord gives you!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 32-34
These three chapters bring us to the end of the story of Moses. In them we have the last words of Moses about God and the Israelites and his final acts on earth. I was amazed when I read through Moses' feelings about God and the people he was leading...surely the road was very difficult, wandering through the desert for all this time (not to mention the struggle with Pharoah). Furthermore, we've seen over the past few weeks that the people were very stubborn and hard to lead. But Moses' last words are blessings over the people and praise for the God who led him to this point. Moses was certainly a great leader, but often overlooked is that Moses was a man with a great heart. Throughout the journey, his passion to follow God and his passion to lead the people remained firm.
Unfortunately for Moses, he would never set foot in the promised land. Because of his earlier disobedience when striking the rock (did you catch the phrase God used..."you did not uphold my holiness in front of the people'), the closest he would get would be Mount Nebo, just across the Jordan River from the promised land. When we traveled in Israel this spring, we were able to see Mt. Nebo from our spot on the Israeli side of the Jordan....Moses was so close, but one act kept him from truly tasting all that God had promised.
How is your passion for God today? How is your passion for His people, especially those you are called to serve? Is there anything going on in your life that could keep you from tasting the full goodness that God has for you?
These three chapters bring us to the end of the story of Moses. In them we have the last words of Moses about God and the Israelites and his final acts on earth. I was amazed when I read through Moses' feelings about God and the people he was leading...surely the road was very difficult, wandering through the desert for all this time (not to mention the struggle with Pharoah). Furthermore, we've seen over the past few weeks that the people were very stubborn and hard to lead. But Moses' last words are blessings over the people and praise for the God who led him to this point. Moses was certainly a great leader, but often overlooked is that Moses was a man with a great heart. Throughout the journey, his passion to follow God and his passion to lead the people remained firm.
Unfortunately for Moses, he would never set foot in the promised land. Because of his earlier disobedience when striking the rock (did you catch the phrase God used..."you did not uphold my holiness in front of the people'), the closest he would get would be Mount Nebo, just across the Jordan River from the promised land. When we traveled in Israel this spring, we were able to see Mt. Nebo from our spot on the Israeli side of the Jordan....Moses was so close, but one act kept him from truly tasting all that God had promised.
How is your passion for God today? How is your passion for His people, especially those you are called to serve? Is there anything going on in your life that could keep you from tasting the full goodness that God has for you?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Today's Passage: Mark 15
I am always amazed when God shows me something new from a chapter that I feel like I have read a hundred times. I think most of us could probably give a summary of the events of Mark 15 without much thought or even study, but today God showed me something that I would not have included before. It was a great reminder that the Bible is never done with us and we should never be done with it, no matter how many times we have read it.
As I read the crucifixion story I saw a God of patience. Jesus could have very easily shown all of his accusers His power. He could have very easily used his divine power to once and for all show the world that He truly was divine, but in that moment He showed restraint and patience. The Bible is filled with stories of God promising people things and then requiring patience. Abraham was promised to be the father of many nations and He had to wait, David was exalted as the next King, but he too had to wait, the entire Israelite nation was promised a land of milk and honey, and they too waited, and Joseph suffered patiently and rose to lead His family through the famine. The Bible is full of waiting. Jesus was born different and the Bible is not clear on when exactly He knew he was God, but he waited thirty years to begin his ministry.
Patience for us is probably one of the most difficult things to understand and deal with. We want things now. It would have been easy for Jesus to take his own timing, but He waited until His time had come. In the same way Christ waited for His earthly ministry to begin, He showed true patience in following God’s plan for the end of His earthly ministry. I don’t know that we will ever truly be able to be content and completely patient on God’s plan, but lately He has given me comfort in waiting. Today’s chapter was exactly what I needed to see. Christ once again became the perfect example for me in a way that I had never seen before.
Today my prayer for us is that we will be patient like those heroes of the faith that have gone before us and that when we struggle with patience, that God will give us a comfort and an ease in our waiting.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 31
Why do we do it? Why do we cling to God during the rough times of life when we're desperate to know the next step and then forget Him or even turn away from Him during the smooth times? It happened time and time again with the Israelites in the desert and it happens time and time again with us today. Upon reading verse 20, it seems ridiculous that God's people would do this:
20 When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant.
It seems that as soon as they become satisfied, they decide to reject God and to worship other gods. Who could do that?! Unfortunately we tend to do the same thing. Once I am through a tough time or a difficult decision, I may neglect daily seeking Him. Once this happens, I am more prone to let other things become more important than my time with Him...such as the general busy-ness of life. Things creep in as idols if we are not constantly guarding against them. While it is important to cling to Him during the hard times, let us not forget to cling during the smooth times as well!
Why do we do it? Why do we cling to God during the rough times of life when we're desperate to know the next step and then forget Him or even turn away from Him during the smooth times? It happened time and time again with the Israelites in the desert and it happens time and time again with us today. Upon reading verse 20, it seems ridiculous that God's people would do this:
20 When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant.
It seems that as soon as they become satisfied, they decide to reject God and to worship other gods. Who could do that?! Unfortunately we tend to do the same thing. Once I am through a tough time or a difficult decision, I may neglect daily seeking Him. Once this happens, I am more prone to let other things become more important than my time with Him...such as the general busy-ness of life. Things creep in as idols if we are not constantly guarding against them. While it is important to cling to Him during the hard times, let us not forget to cling during the smooth times as well!
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