Today's Passage: I Samuel 1-2
The two stories in I Samuel 1-2 are two sides of the same issue. The first story is one of great reliance on God and great faithfulness. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Hannah? Every year her rival taunts her because the thing she wants most, a child, has not been given to her. Every year she returns to worship and the same thing happens. But this year, scripture tells us "in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord." She had so much hurt, so much anger that it just had to come out, and she cried out to God in her pain. She not only trusted God with her future, but also her present...she trusted that God would be able to handle all that was going on inside of her. And her faithfulness is rewarded with a child that will be a major leader and prophet for God's people.
The second story has a much darker tone. Eli the prophet has trusted his sons with the role of the priest in receiving the burnt offering. God was providing for Eli and his family, but the sons wanted more...they wanted what belonged to God. They took for themselves first and left God what remained behind. As you'll see in the near future, this was a very bad move on their part.
Hannah cried out to God, trusting that He was the answer. The sons of Eli took from God, trusting that He would not do anything. Hannah's faithfulness was rewarded. The sons of Eli faced a call of condemnation. Two sides of the story...which one best describes your life today? Are you trusting God in your circumstances, or are you taking what belongs to God and trusting in yourself?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Today's Passage: Luke 8
What a great chapter!! There is so much to there, I don’t think it is possible for us to look at it all. I want to focus on two parts. First the parable of the sower and then I want to look at the calming of the storm. I encourage you to take some time and look back at the rest of the chapter again if you get a chance.
The parable of the sower is one of those stories that I think most of us know well. However for me, it was kind of a gut check. I find myself surrounded by plants right now. I work in a Christian environment and most of my relationships outside of work are Christian friends. This parable does not really give an option for this. Take a minute and think about the people you come in contact on a regular basis. Are you surrounded by plants? We are called to throw seeds. It is important to be around plants, but it is not our job to watch plants grow; our job is to throw seeds. We have got to put ourselves in places where we can throw seeds, which means that we need to find some places that are not completely full of plants.
The second part of this passage I was struck by was the calming of the storm. I am very visual and this was something easy for me to picture. But, this was also something that I automatically was able to put into real life today. How often do you find yourself crying out for help, when it may not be necessary? I am not saying that we should not seek God, just saying that sometimes we need to trust him a little longer than we want to.
My prayer for us today is that God will put us in places where we can throw seeds, and that we will be patient and have faith.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Today's Passage: Ruth 3-4
Naomi and Ruth have suffered great tragedy in their lives. They have both lost husbands and are now fending for themselves in an unfamiliar land. They are struggling to make ends meet when Naomi suggests that Ruth at least find a husband. Enter Boaz, kinsman-redeemer extraordinaire.
A kinsman-redeemer pays a debt for somebody who cannot pay it himself. Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. When I think about Jesus, I may think of his teachings or his miracles, maybe even the way He takes care of me now. I think of the cross and the resurrection. I am aware of all of these things, but how often do I truly think of my DEBT? Debt is certainly a concept with which we are all fairly familiar. If a person came along and offered to clear all of my financial debt...credit cards, student loans, car, ALL of it...I would certainly think often about what that person had done for me. While I often think of Jesus dying for my sins, I fail to truly consider my debt and what the payment for my sins would be. How much more worshipful would I be if I stopped to think about the wages of sin being death? How much more meaningful would the words of the song be if I grasped the weight of it? I could not have paid my own debt...only Jesus.
I hear the Savior say,"Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots, And melt the heart of stone.
And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save my lips shall still repeat.
Oh, praise the One who paid my debt,
And raised this life up from the dead.
Lyric Credit: Copyright © 2006 worshiptogether.com Songs / sixsteps Music (ASCAP) / Admin. by EMI CMG Publishing
Naomi and Ruth have suffered great tragedy in their lives. They have both lost husbands and are now fending for themselves in an unfamiliar land. They are struggling to make ends meet when Naomi suggests that Ruth at least find a husband. Enter Boaz, kinsman-redeemer extraordinaire.
A kinsman-redeemer pays a debt for somebody who cannot pay it himself. Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. When I think about Jesus, I may think of his teachings or his miracles, maybe even the way He takes care of me now. I think of the cross and the resurrection. I am aware of all of these things, but how often do I truly think of my DEBT? Debt is certainly a concept with which we are all fairly familiar. If a person came along and offered to clear all of my financial debt...credit cards, student loans, car, ALL of it...I would certainly think often about what that person had done for me. While I often think of Jesus dying for my sins, I fail to truly consider my debt and what the payment for my sins would be. How much more worshipful would I be if I stopped to think about the wages of sin being death? How much more meaningful would the words of the song be if I grasped the weight of it? I could not have paid my own debt...only Jesus.
I hear the Savior say,"Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots, And melt the heart of stone.
And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save my lips shall still repeat.
Oh, praise the One who paid my debt,
And raised this life up from the dead.
Lyric Credit: Copyright © 2006 worshiptogether.com Songs / sixsteps Music (ASCAP) / Admin. by EMI CMG Publishing
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Today's Passage: Ruth 1-2
Determination is an interesting word. Often times it is used in discussions of sports or business. The idea behind the word is that the path and the goal will definitely be reached. My wife uses this word and other synonyms to describe my attitude in discussions and debates. This is due to my need to always have the last word no matter what the subject of the debate is.
Naomi describes Ruth as determined in 1:18. So much so that Naomi gave up arguing and let Ruth have her way. It is this determination that sets up the entire book of Ruth and places her in a significant position to let God work through her. Ruth's determination played a large role in God's plan.
Determination can definitely be a bad thing. However, when we are determined to follow God the outcome will always be glorifying to Our Father. This will not come easy and we will always have people and things trying to pull us away from following God in our lives. The best way to stay determined is to communicate and commune with God (prayer and Bible study) as often as you can, be around other believers (attending church) as often as you can, and have a few honest people in life that can hold you accountable to your faith.
Determination is an interesting word. Often times it is used in discussions of sports or business. The idea behind the word is that the path and the goal will definitely be reached. My wife uses this word and other synonyms to describe my attitude in discussions and debates. This is due to my need to always have the last word no matter what the subject of the debate is.
Naomi describes Ruth as determined in 1:18. So much so that Naomi gave up arguing and let Ruth have her way. It is this determination that sets up the entire book of Ruth and places her in a significant position to let God work through her. Ruth's determination played a large role in God's plan.
Determination can definitely be a bad thing. However, when we are determined to follow God the outcome will always be glorifying to Our Father. This will not come easy and we will always have people and things trying to pull us away from following God in our lives. The best way to stay determined is to communicate and commune with God (prayer and Bible study) as often as you can, be around other believers (attending church) as often as you can, and have a few honest people in life that can hold you accountable to your faith.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Today's Passage: Judges 21
Judges 21 continues the saga between Israel and the Benjamites, that we began reading this past Saturday with Brandon. Every time I read about a civil war I'm reminded of one of my professors, Dr. Calvert. Dr. Calvert pointed out in our research on civilizations that the most vicious and inhumane wars are those fought between people that belong to the same people group. Sadly most of us can testify to this on a personal level. I'm willing to bet that the worst fight you have ever had was with a member of your own family. I don't think any of us can put a finger on why this is but it's true. Maybe it's because we expect more from our family members or we think they should side with us whether we are right or not. Regardless, we in our human weakness find ourselves doing horrible things to the ones that we are closest to. And we find too often that selfishness is the true motive for these actions.
Chapter 21 concludes with the same statement that opened chapter 18: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This whole chapter and specifically this verse, should be a warning to us of how the motives of selfishness can lead to a cycle of sin that is very destructive and not easily broken.
We are not like Israel in Judges, we have a King. Now all we have to do is live like it. I challenge you this week to find just one way to be selfless and put God first.
Judges 21 continues the saga between Israel and the Benjamites, that we began reading this past Saturday with Brandon. Every time I read about a civil war I'm reminded of one of my professors, Dr. Calvert. Dr. Calvert pointed out in our research on civilizations that the most vicious and inhumane wars are those fought between people that belong to the same people group. Sadly most of us can testify to this on a personal level. I'm willing to bet that the worst fight you have ever had was with a member of your own family. I don't think any of us can put a finger on why this is but it's true. Maybe it's because we expect more from our family members or we think they should side with us whether we are right or not. Regardless, we in our human weakness find ourselves doing horrible things to the ones that we are closest to. And we find too often that selfishness is the true motive for these actions.
Chapter 21 concludes with the same statement that opened chapter 18: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This whole chapter and specifically this verse, should be a warning to us of how the motives of selfishness can lead to a cycle of sin that is very destructive and not easily broken.
We are not like Israel in Judges, we have a King. Now all we have to do is live like it. I challenge you this week to find just one way to be selfless and put God first.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Today's Passage: Luke 7
Luke 7 is full of people that demonstrate some incredible faith!
The faith of the centurion
He believed in the power of Jesus' spoken word.
The faith of John the Baptist
Not seeing Jesus, John believed he was to preach and prepare the way for Christ's ministry.
The faith of the woman with the alabaster vial
Because of her belief in Him, she bowed to worship Him and poured out a costly sacrifice of praise on His feet. She did this in spite of what the Pharisees around her thought.
Do we have the faith of these? Have we ever spoken the words of the centurion in verse 7, "...but just say the word..."? We have the printed Word with countless testimonies and we still struggle to live in faith. Hebrews 10:39 says, "But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." Let's seek Him out in faith in whatever concerns us today!!!
May God bless the reading of His word!
Luke 7 is full of people that demonstrate some incredible faith!
The faith of the centurion
He believed in the power of Jesus' spoken word.
The faith of John the Baptist
Not seeing Jesus, John believed he was to preach and prepare the way for Christ's ministry.
The faith of the woman with the alabaster vial
Because of her belief in Him, she bowed to worship Him and poured out a costly sacrifice of praise on His feet. She did this in spite of what the Pharisees around her thought.
Do we have the faith of these? Have we ever spoken the words of the centurion in verse 7, "...but just say the word..."? We have the printed Word with countless testimonies and we still struggle to live in faith. Hebrews 10:39 says, "But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." Let's seek Him out in faith in whatever concerns us today!!!
May God bless the reading of His word!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Today's Passage: Judges 19-20
Chapter 19 of Judges begins in the same way as chapter 18; “In those days, there was no king in Israel.” During this time period, the Israelites had no one to rule over them and so began to act more and more as a lawless people. Chapter 19 tells the story of a Levite who was travelling and decided to stay in the town of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. While in Gibeah, men surrounded the house where they were staying and demanded the Levite to be given to them. Instead of the man, his concubine is given to the men. In the morning the man finds the woman, who has been assaulted and killed. He decides to do something very bizarre; he cuts her body into twelve pieces and sends one piece to each of the twelve tribes. When the Israelites saw the body and heard what had happened, they were very disturbed, as are the readers of this story.
Judges 19 truly represents the depths of the depravity of man. After falling away from the Lord and having no one to watch over them, some of the Israelites became just as depraved as those seen in Sodom and Gomorra; and these are supposed to be God’s chosen people!
As stated in the beginning of the chapter, Israel had no king, so there was no one in authority to bring about justice. In the beginning of chapter 20 we see the formation of a counsel of Israelites, some from every tribe except Benjamin. They decided to take vengeance upon the wicked city of Gibeah and form an army to attack them. In the end, the wickedness of the people created a civil war among the Israelites, and over 25,000 Benjamites were killed.
What can be taken away from this very bizarre story? When people live a life without law and without God, they can sink further and further into a sinful lifestyle. When we surround ourselves with evil and not with good, it becomes easier and easier to fall into sin. Some, not all, of the people of Israel lived a life as if they were not the chosen people of God. They did not live to glorify His name and they had forgotten what He had done for them. In the end, they ended up fighting against one another over a very depraved act.
I am so thankful that I am FREE from sin; that Christ paid my debt and I no longer am bound to a sinful and depraved lifestyle. I am so thankful that because I am a child of God, 1 John 5:4 tells me that I have overcome the world through faith in Him.
Judges warns us of what can happen when we continually turn our backs against the Lord and what He has for us. Are you living as someone who is bound to a sinful lifestyle? Or are you living as a child of God, as someone who has been set free?
Chapter 19 of Judges begins in the same way as chapter 18; “In those days, there was no king in Israel.” During this time period, the Israelites had no one to rule over them and so began to act more and more as a lawless people. Chapter 19 tells the story of a Levite who was travelling and decided to stay in the town of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. While in Gibeah, men surrounded the house where they were staying and demanded the Levite to be given to them. Instead of the man, his concubine is given to the men. In the morning the man finds the woman, who has been assaulted and killed. He decides to do something very bizarre; he cuts her body into twelve pieces and sends one piece to each of the twelve tribes. When the Israelites saw the body and heard what had happened, they were very disturbed, as are the readers of this story.
Judges 19 truly represents the depths of the depravity of man. After falling away from the Lord and having no one to watch over them, some of the Israelites became just as depraved as those seen in Sodom and Gomorra; and these are supposed to be God’s chosen people!
As stated in the beginning of the chapter, Israel had no king, so there was no one in authority to bring about justice. In the beginning of chapter 20 we see the formation of a counsel of Israelites, some from every tribe except Benjamin. They decided to take vengeance upon the wicked city of Gibeah and form an army to attack them. In the end, the wickedness of the people created a civil war among the Israelites, and over 25,000 Benjamites were killed.
What can be taken away from this very bizarre story? When people live a life without law and without God, they can sink further and further into a sinful lifestyle. When we surround ourselves with evil and not with good, it becomes easier and easier to fall into sin. Some, not all, of the people of Israel lived a life as if they were not the chosen people of God. They did not live to glorify His name and they had forgotten what He had done for them. In the end, they ended up fighting against one another over a very depraved act.
I am so thankful that I am FREE from sin; that Christ paid my debt and I no longer am bound to a sinful and depraved lifestyle. I am so thankful that because I am a child of God, 1 John 5:4 tells me that I have overcome the world through faith in Him.
Judges warns us of what can happen when we continually turn our backs against the Lord and what He has for us. Are you living as someone who is bound to a sinful lifestyle? Or are you living as a child of God, as someone who has been set free?
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