Today's Passage: Judges 17-18
The key to this passage of scripture is found in 18:1: "In those days Israel had no king." They had no one to tell them what was right and what was wrong. They didn't have the discipline or the fortitude to do the right thing by themselves. Given over to their selfish desires, they did things like steal from their mothers, build their own household Gods, hire priests to serve their houses, and destroy peaceful and unsuspecting people. It seems that this passage, like those around it, reflect Israel in a state of chaos...following their own desires without regard for the consequences.
I don't know about you, but when I give into my own desires, bad things happen. When I live like there's no king...no consequences, no leadership...life turns into a state of chaos. I need the King to give my life purpose and meaning, to keep me in check when I begin to wander off the path of righteousness. I need Jesus in my life so that I will be more like him and less like my selfish self!
The Israelites would soon get an earthy king...and that works for a while, but leads back to this life of chaos. It would take a heavenly king in Jesus Christ to show the world how to live. Thank you, Jesus, for bringing perfect peace where there once whas chaos!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Today's Passage: Judges 15-16
Who says the Bible is not exciting? I love movies and my goodness, if done well I think the story of Samson and Delilah could be a box office hit. This passage has love, fighting, betrayal, and a great ending. I think this is probably one of the most popular stories in the Bible. In fact, I would say that this story has transcended Christian culture and is of pop culture knowledge.
This story always confuses me a little. Each time that Samson “lies” to her she gets upset and gets him to tell the “real” weakness. After the first time did he not catch that something was up? If not then, was the second time not enough? I think this story confirms that women have fooled men since the Old Testament times. We just have a weakness I guess.
Seriously though, for me the take away in this story is that we must be careful of the relationships we enter into. I want to be clear that I am speaking of all relationships: friendships, dating, marriage, and business. It is clear from this story that Samson’s choice for a relationship was not a wise decision. I am not saying that you should not have relationships with people that are shady. Someone eventually has to have a relationship with them for them to come to know God, what I am saying is be careful on how close those relationships are. I am convinced and will swear by the fact that I believe you will become like the people you surround yourself with. Samson surrounded himself with shady people and because of it he fell from God’s grace. For us we can only be around shady for so long before we let it creep into our lives. My prayer for us today is that God will put people in our lives that will provide healthy close relationships, and that God will put people in our lives that we can share the love of Christ with, but not be pulled down by.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Today's Passage: Luke 6
This chapter is FULL of familiar teachings and wisdom, but I want to focus on just three verses. These verses probably jumped out at me because I've been thinking about their subject for a few weeks now--my words. Here are the verses for quick reference:
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Words can be difficult to control, growing more so with weariness, stress, anxiety, etc., BUT according to the Scripture our words give the world around us a glimpse into our hearts. Unfortunately my heart often comes across differently than I intend because of my words. I do not always guard against complaining, negativity, and gossip...and yet that is NOT how I want my heart to be viewed. I am challenged and encouraged to not only be aware of what comes out of my mouth, but to be sure my heart is right. After all, a good tree will not bear bad fruit...
This chapter is FULL of familiar teachings and wisdom, but I want to focus on just three verses. These verses probably jumped out at me because I've been thinking about their subject for a few weeks now--my words. Here are the verses for quick reference:
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Words can be difficult to control, growing more so with weariness, stress, anxiety, etc., BUT according to the Scripture our words give the world around us a glimpse into our hearts. Unfortunately my heart often comes across differently than I intend because of my words. I do not always guard against complaining, negativity, and gossip...and yet that is NOT how I want my heart to be viewed. I am challenged and encouraged to not only be aware of what comes out of my mouth, but to be sure my heart is right. After all, a good tree will not bear bad fruit...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Today's Passage: Judges 13-14
There is no doubt that God calls certain people to certain tasks. The Bible is loaded with stories of men and women whom God calls to do something special and specific for Him. We can also see this in our world today. Some people are called to be great businessmen, others are called to be pastors or teachers, still others are called to be soldiers and serve their country. Judges 13-14 shows us another example of God picking a specific person to follow Him in a unique way.
Although it is a great privilege when people are called by God to do great things for Him, it is also a great responsibility. Samson's parents are met with the responsibility during the pregnancy. There were special rules that Samson should follow. In essence, Samson was to live a different lifestyle than most of those around him. Like many of us, this different lifestyle became a burden, and he was often tempted to look and act like those around him.
Aside from specific calling, we all know that we are called to love and follow God. This great privilege of knowing and following following God comes with a great responsibility. We, like Samson, will be tempted to forgo this responsibility in order to look and act like those around us. To borrow an illustration from Kid's Camp this summer, "We are ducks living in a world of penguins. We see mostly penguins around us. We want to act like the penguins, even though we are actually ducks. However, we must stay with our true identity and live like ducks!" I pray that we all have the courage to live as followers of Jesus, instead of followers of the world.
There is no doubt that God calls certain people to certain tasks. The Bible is loaded with stories of men and women whom God calls to do something special and specific for Him. We can also see this in our world today. Some people are called to be great businessmen, others are called to be pastors or teachers, still others are called to be soldiers and serve their country. Judges 13-14 shows us another example of God picking a specific person to follow Him in a unique way.
Although it is a great privilege when people are called by God to do great things for Him, it is also a great responsibility. Samson's parents are met with the responsibility during the pregnancy. There were special rules that Samson should follow. In essence, Samson was to live a different lifestyle than most of those around him. Like many of us, this different lifestyle became a burden, and he was often tempted to look and act like those around him.
Aside from specific calling, we all know that we are called to love and follow God. This great privilege of knowing and following following God comes with a great responsibility. We, like Samson, will be tempted to forgo this responsibility in order to look and act like those around us. To borrow an illustration from Kid's Camp this summer, "We are ducks living in a world of penguins. We see mostly penguins around us. We want to act like the penguins, even though we are actually ducks. However, we must stay with our true identity and live like ducks!" I pray that we all have the courage to live as followers of Jesus, instead of followers of the world.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Today's Scripture: Judges 11-12
The story of Jephthah has always challenged me and the level of faith that I have in God. I think all of us want to be as dependable and have as much confidence as Jephthah, but if we are honest we don't want the sacrifice.
In chapter 11 of Hebrews the writer does an amazing job at describing what faith truly is through the examples of many Old Testament leaders, including Jephthah. Few of us are bold enough to compare ourselves to any of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11. However, this list was not compiled in order to be a list of titans of faith, but instead to reveal to us that we can obtain a higher level of faithfulness to God. Stories from the Old Testament like this one about Jephthah are presented to us to challenge what we think about ourselves. Too often we can find ourselves going through the motions of being a " good christian" and forget what God has really called us to: Trusting in Him.
Nothing glorifies God more than someone acting with complete confidence in His power. Can you imagine what God could do with 100 people that completely trusted Him with everything? I can begin to, and it brings a smile to my face and a desire to be a part of it. Will you join me?
The story of Jephthah has always challenged me and the level of faith that I have in God. I think all of us want to be as dependable and have as much confidence as Jephthah, but if we are honest we don't want the sacrifice.
In chapter 11 of Hebrews the writer does an amazing job at describing what faith truly is through the examples of many Old Testament leaders, including Jephthah. Few of us are bold enough to compare ourselves to any of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11. However, this list was not compiled in order to be a list of titans of faith, but instead to reveal to us that we can obtain a higher level of faithfulness to God. Stories from the Old Testament like this one about Jephthah are presented to us to challenge what we think about ourselves. Too often we can find ourselves going through the motions of being a " good christian" and forget what God has really called us to: Trusting in Him.
Nothing glorifies God more than someone acting with complete confidence in His power. Can you imagine what God could do with 100 people that completely trusted Him with everything? I can begin to, and it brings a smile to my face and a desire to be a part of it. Will you join me?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Today's Passage: Judges 9-10
These chapters are a chunk of historical events involving some folks you may or may not have heard of. Chapter nine is a story of deception and overthrow. Abimelech deceives Schechem, he kills his family, and they make him king. Heavy consequences fall to Abimelech and Schechem. Chapter ten is another segment in the story of the Israelites. They again choose to worship other gods and suffer the consequences.
Consequence seems to be the theme, so what do we do with these chapters?
Chapter 9
I think we can all easily see that we are faced with the choice of who we put are trust in. The people of Schechem did not have integrity or a moral resolve when confronted by Abimelech, so they were swayed. So, what leaders are we trusting in? Who are we putting in leadership positions over us?
Chapter 10
We can also see that we, just like the Israelites, have many other things that we worship besides God. When the stresses of life overwhelm us and we turn to shop, to drink, to look where we shouldn't look, to turn inward to self pity and depression, we bow down to a variety of gods. If we're really honest, I think we find it doesn't even take the stresses of life to get us to bow down to these idols. Sometimes we just want to wander! In verse 6 of chapter ten we read, "Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord." In the previous five verses it doesn't say anything about life being particularly hard on the Israelites, they just wandered! And when the consequences came and they cried out to God, He said, "Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress."(Judges 10:14) In times when we don't feel like God is hearing us or answering us, I wander if He's saying the same thing to us.
Of course, He does not leave us there, just like He did not leave the Israelites there. The Psalms are full of verses that testify His lovingkindness lasts forever. I John 1 tells us that when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I think He sometimes lets us stew awhile in our own mess (rebellion, stubborness, self-help) until we realize that HE is really IT--THE ANSWER--THE HELP-- THE SUPPORT --THE LIFE ---THE ONE AND ONLY GOD!!
May God bless the reading of His word!
These chapters are a chunk of historical events involving some folks you may or may not have heard of. Chapter nine is a story of deception and overthrow. Abimelech deceives Schechem, he kills his family, and they make him king. Heavy consequences fall to Abimelech and Schechem. Chapter ten is another segment in the story of the Israelites. They again choose to worship other gods and suffer the consequences.
Consequence seems to be the theme, so what do we do with these chapters?
Chapter 9
I think we can all easily see that we are faced with the choice of who we put are trust in. The people of Schechem did not have integrity or a moral resolve when confronted by Abimelech, so they were swayed. So, what leaders are we trusting in? Who are we putting in leadership positions over us?
Chapter 10
We can also see that we, just like the Israelites, have many other things that we worship besides God. When the stresses of life overwhelm us and we turn to shop, to drink, to look where we shouldn't look, to turn inward to self pity and depression, we bow down to a variety of gods. If we're really honest, I think we find it doesn't even take the stresses of life to get us to bow down to these idols. Sometimes we just want to wander! In verse 6 of chapter ten we read, "Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord." In the previous five verses it doesn't say anything about life being particularly hard on the Israelites, they just wandered! And when the consequences came and they cried out to God, He said, "Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress."(Judges 10:14) In times when we don't feel like God is hearing us or answering us, I wander if He's saying the same thing to us.
Of course, He does not leave us there, just like He did not leave the Israelites there. The Psalms are full of verses that testify His lovingkindness lasts forever. I John 1 tells us that when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I think He sometimes lets us stew awhile in our own mess (rebellion, stubborness, self-help) until we realize that HE is really IT--THE ANSWER--THE HELP-- THE SUPPORT --THE LIFE ---THE ONE AND ONLY GOD!!
May God bless the reading of His word!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Today's Passage: Luke 5
It's always difficult to comment on a passage like today's because it is so rich and full of content/meat! After being at VBS this week, we can see just how a passage can reach such a large audience. More than just this passage; but the Bible altogether. God's Word is always sufficient and applicable for everyone, everyday. This is why it is also to referred to as the Living Word.
Today we read about the calling out of the 12 disciples to begin their ministry with Christ while He was on earth. We all can attest to our unwillingness to change or give up things. I think for some of us, this kind of change or giving up things is surreal. The reason being is because we are not accustomed to giving up things, let alone everything! However, we read here that these men who were to be Christ's disciples gave up/dropped everything in order to follow Him. I particularly noticed Peter's response. Here we begin to see Peter's personality come out. He is the responds to the Lord's fishing instincts with an appropriate response. Now that he has recognized the Lord's holiness, he is able to serve with the proper heart attitude.
Next, we read about Christ's ministry to the sick and poor. I love when I read about Christ's healing miracles. At nearly every place in Scripture when Christ heals someone, it is immediately that they are healed 100%! Christ's power is immeasurable!
Finally, I wanted to comment on one last thing in this passage. Christ is able to answer some unasked questions. Christ did not come to serve those who the Pharisees thought God should serve. Rather, Christ came for those who need Him. The Pharisees were always seeking some way to trip up or catch Christ ignoring or disobeying the Jewish laws. Instead, Christ came to fulfill the law! Christ's method of teaching the Pharisees is refreshing to say the least. Sometimes He is subtle, while other times, He comes right to the point! Christ came for sinners to repentance! (v. 32)
So, are you ready to follow Christ!? What do you need to give up in your life so that you can follow Christ? Remember Peter's adjustment was his recognition of God's holiness.
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