Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Cor 14:18-40; PS 37:30-40; PR 21:27
Corinthians - Paul deals a lot here with the order of a service. Verse 33 even states that "God is not the author of confusion..." Everything done in a church service should be to "edify" or encourage everyone there. There should be a balance in everything that is done. Verse 36-39 Paul does a little heart check with them. He asks them, did this all start with you? Are you the original people the gospel came through? He knows this isn't the case and thereby makes his point for them to stop trying to rewrite the gospel and how they think things should be done. What he is telling them to do are the commands of God, recognize that and listen.
Proverbs - When you fake being holy and bring a sacrifice to God it is disgusting to Him, especially when you bring it thinking you can fool God into blessing you because of it. God does not look at our outward actions alone, but sees into our heart and knows our every motive in what we do. If you are not pure in heart in your actions, it is not a pleasing sacrifice to Him. The point of sacrifice is to give with no expectation of anything in return. Jesus sacrificed His life for us before we were ever born. He gave it to restore a relationship.
Job 4 - Have you ever heard people say that sickness is caused by sin in that persons life? Read Job 4 and you will. The first of Job's "friends" speaks and this is his theory. Verses 7-8 are pretty clear as he says; "who ever perished being innocent?" "Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same." There is only one problem with his theory of why Job is going through all this...we saw the conversation between God and Satan at the beginning of the book. While this "friend" calls Job's walk with God and his righteousness into question, we already know that it is because Job was a righteous man that he is now under such attack. Be careful not to judge people's situations. I've been guilty of saying, well they could help themselves out of this situation but making some different choices. But honestly we have no idea what goes on in the realm of God.
Job 6 - Even in his pain, suffering and questioning. Even at his weakest point. There is something in Job that allows him to make a statement that I'm not sure he even realizes the power of...vs 9 "...That He (God) would loose His hand and cut me off." Even after he has lost everything but his own life, he realizes the only reason for that is because God is still holding onto him.
Often I think we have this impression that God has removed Himself from our lives because everything seems to be going wrong. Let me just say, you don't ever want to experience a day when God's hand gets removed from your life. Even at life's worst, God still holds you in His hand. Remember the deal God made with the devil? He told him, you can do whatever you want to do to Job, you just can't kill him. God held Job's life in His hand. God did not cause these terrible things to happen to Job, but He did allow it. But the bible also tells us that He will not allow us to go through anything that we can't handle. What happened to Job was devastating (understatement). But he overcame it and remained faithful. I don't get it all the time, why we are allowed to go through what we go through but I know and I BELEIVE that God's ways are not my ways and His thoughts are far greater than my thoughts.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
May 1st-2nd
1 Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; PS 102:1-28; PR 14:15-16
2 Judges 15:1-16:31 John 2:1-25; PS 103:1-22; PR 14:17-19John 1:35-51 - I love how these men barely questioned what was happening.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
March 15
Num. 22:21-23:10; LK 1:57-80; Ps 58; PR 11:12-13kl
This is such a great story. Most of the time when people reference this passage they talk about themselves and joke "if God could use a donkey, He can surely use me." But what I thought of today was how often we see people around us as nothing but a donkey. (insert KJV here) Sometimes the people that aggravate us the most are the people that God has placed in our lives to speak to us. The question is can you recognize it instead of being angry at that person. How many times have you beat a person down with your words or your actions because they frustrated you? We need to pray to see God in everything around us.
On a side note...it didn't even seem to phase Balaam that he was carrying on a conversation with his donkey...whats up with that?
This is such a great story. Most of the time when people reference this passage they talk about themselves and joke "if God could use a donkey, He can surely use me." But what I thought of today was how often we see people around us as nothing but a donkey. (insert KJV here) Sometimes the people that aggravate us the most are the people that God has placed in our lives to speak to us. The question is can you recognize it instead of being angry at that person. How many times have you beat a person down with your words or your actions because they frustrated you? We need to pray to see God in everything around us.
On a side note...it didn't even seem to phase Balaam that he was carrying on a conversation with his donkey...whats up with that?
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Monday, March 14, 2011
March 14
Num 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; PS 57:1-11; PR 11:9-11
Num 21:4-9
Yet again the people complain about what they always complain about. They attack God, they attack Moses and what are the results. Death. Always death. And people wonder why they had to wander around for 40 years. It seems they were slow learners. God acts swiftly because He cannot allow rebellion to go unpunished. It struck me today when I read this...the answer to the people getting bitten by snakes was for Moses to build a snake and if people looked at this bronze snake they were spared. It struck me though that it doesn't say everyone did this, just that the ones that looked "lived." I don't know, it leads me to beleive that even in the midst of death, people still didn't listen and obey the word of God passed down through Moses. In this case they could see that it was working right in front of them and yet...only the ones that looked were spared. How many looked the other way and died. Makes me look at my own life and wonder if there are things God knows will lead to my spiritual death. He's given me the cross of Jesus to look at as salvation but how often do I look to other things or run around in pain having been bitten by "serpent" that is sin in my life. I'm dying inside but won't do what it takes to gain salvation from the pain. God help me!
Num 21:4-9
Yet again the people complain about what they always complain about. They attack God, they attack Moses and what are the results. Death. Always death. And people wonder why they had to wander around for 40 years. It seems they were slow learners. God acts swiftly because He cannot allow rebellion to go unpunished. It struck me today when I read this...the answer to the people getting bitten by snakes was for Moses to build a snake and if people looked at this bronze snake they were spared. It struck me though that it doesn't say everyone did this, just that the ones that looked "lived." I don't know, it leads me to beleive that even in the midst of death, people still didn't listen and obey the word of God passed down through Moses. In this case they could see that it was working right in front of them and yet...only the ones that looked were spared. How many looked the other way and died. Makes me look at my own life and wonder if there are things God knows will lead to my spiritual death. He's given me the cross of Jesus to look at as salvation but how often do I look to other things or run around in pain having been bitten by "serpent" that is sin in my life. I'm dying inside but won't do what it takes to gain salvation from the pain. God help me!
March 13
Num 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; PS 56:1-13; PR 11:8
Luke 1:1-25 It's kind of interesting the way Luke starts his account of the gospel. The story of Zacharius instead of Jesus. That's what I love about the gospels. Even though they contain so much of the same...each has it's own details. This account fascinates me. First of all, have you ever noticed the first thing angels say when they appear to someone? "Fear not." Apparently if you ever encounter an angel, it'll freak you out! Then Gabriel shows that he don't mess around. He delivers his message about them having a kid and Zacharius asks how this could be possible because his wife is "advanced in year." Try that one on your wives guys. Gabriels response? I'm an angel dude...I was sent from God...why would you question that your wife could become pregnant when you're looking at and having a conversation with an angel? (My paraphrase) Then he makes Zacharius mute because he asked a stupid question. Can you imagine if God made us mute everytime we doubted Him and asked questions we should already know the answers to? The world would be a much quieter place I think. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? I think that's hilarious.
Luke 1:1-25 It's kind of interesting the way Luke starts his account of the gospel. The story of Zacharius instead of Jesus. That's what I love about the gospels. Even though they contain so much of the same...each has it's own details. This account fascinates me. First of all, have you ever noticed the first thing angels say when they appear to someone? "Fear not." Apparently if you ever encounter an angel, it'll freak you out! Then Gabriel shows that he don't mess around. He delivers his message about them having a kid and Zacharius asks how this could be possible because his wife is "advanced in year." Try that one on your wives guys. Gabriels response? I'm an angel dude...I was sent from God...why would you question that your wife could become pregnant when you're looking at and having a conversation with an angel? (My paraphrase) Then he makes Zacharius mute because he asked a stupid question. Can you imagine if God made us mute everytime we doubted Him and asked questions we should already know the answers to? The world would be a much quieter place I think. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? I think that's hilarious.
March 12th
Num 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; PS 55:1-23; PR 11:7
Psalm 55 - really interesting Psalm. Basically a cry out to God by David over the betrayal of a close friend. Recently heard a really good message that related this psalm and showed why this betrayal was probably Jonathon. David's most trusted friend. Further proof that you really can find comfort for every situation in the bible. Here David is in turmoil because he was stabbed in the back by someone so close to him. It says that if it would have been an enemy that had done all these things, he could take it but being from a friend is unbearable. This is why we need to remember that we need friends that stick with us through thick and thin but ultimatly God is our rock that will never fail or forsake us. When everyone else betrays us, God is still there. I know that sounds depressing but really it's not. Because without God, I would never have survived the betrayals in my own life but with Him I was able to rise up and above the worst of despair.
Psalm 55 - really interesting Psalm. Basically a cry out to God by David over the betrayal of a close friend. Recently heard a really good message that related this psalm and showed why this betrayal was probably Jonathon. David's most trusted friend. Further proof that you really can find comfort for every situation in the bible. Here David is in turmoil because he was stabbed in the back by someone so close to him. It says that if it would have been an enemy that had done all these things, he could take it but being from a friend is unbearable. This is why we need to remember that we need friends that stick with us through thick and thin but ultimatly God is our rock that will never fail or forsake us. When everyone else betrays us, God is still there. I know that sounds depressing but really it's not. Because without God, I would never have survived the betrayals in my own life but with Him I was able to rise up and above the worst of despair.
March 11
Num 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; PS 54:1-7; PR 11:5-6
Mark - When I read this I was convicted at the idea of Jesus standing there not defending Himself because He had nothing to defend. They asked; "are you the King of the Jews." He was. Pure and simple, He was who they said he was. The response of the crowd and Pilate's reaction to it is what really convicted me though. The crowd was given a choice between someone they knew had committed murder and a man who had done nothing wrong but He made them uncomfortable. The penalty in their minds was death. Pilate didn't believe it, but he followed the crowd. I am just struck at the thought of how often do we nail Jesus back to the cross because of what other people say? We know that He is who He says He is but when people start to question us about it we start to feel uncomfortable and so we deny what we know is true inside of us and, thought maybe not intentionally, we crucify Him again and again because we don't do what we know is right and stand for what we believe in. We know who Jesus is and it's not that we can force that on anyone and it's not really ours to prove but we are called to speak out and stand for what we know. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Don't be ashamed and don't let the crowd sway you in your beliefs. He is never ashamed of us and we should never be ashamed of Him otherwise it's like driving the nails in His hands all over again.
Mark - When I read this I was convicted at the idea of Jesus standing there not defending Himself because He had nothing to defend. They asked; "are you the King of the Jews." He was. Pure and simple, He was who they said he was. The response of the crowd and Pilate's reaction to it is what really convicted me though. The crowd was given a choice between someone they knew had committed murder and a man who had done nothing wrong but He made them uncomfortable. The penalty in their minds was death. Pilate didn't believe it, but he followed the crowd. I am just struck at the thought of how often do we nail Jesus back to the cross because of what other people say? We know that He is who He says He is but when people start to question us about it we start to feel uncomfortable and so we deny what we know is true inside of us and, thought maybe not intentionally, we crucify Him again and again because we don't do what we know is right and stand for what we believe in. We know who Jesus is and it's not that we can force that on anyone and it's not really ours to prove but we are called to speak out and stand for what we know. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Don't be ashamed and don't let the crowd sway you in your beliefs. He is never ashamed of us and we should never be ashamed of Him otherwise it's like driving the nails in His hands all over again.
March 10
Num 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; PS 53:1-6; PR 11:4
Numbers 14:1-10
This passage amazes me and stirs me to look at my life in full context of not only what is currently happening but also what HAS happened. Here we see a group of people who not long ago were in slavery. Not figuratively but real, honest to goodness slavery. Now they find themselves out here in the desert wandering, because of their own rebelliousness. They begin to complain and actually want to find themselves a new leader that will take them back to Egypt...to slavery. It shows me a few things. One, it shows that when trials come we don't always think real clear. I mean if they thought it was bad before they left, doesn't it stand to reason that the Egyptians would treat them even worse when they went back, considering Pharaoh and the army was now at the bottom of the red sea? I'm thinking were some very unhappy people back there. Remember, no matter what you're going through today it's not worth throwing everything away spiritually to go back to your old life of slavery to sin. The second thing it shows me is that we can very quickly forget all that God has done for us when life becomes unpleasant. Granted they are stranded in the desert but so far they have been allowed to walk out of Egypt and take a great amount of wealth with them, they have miraculously watched God part the Red Sea, they have been provided food from heaven, water from rocks and clothes that never wear out. That's not to mentions the whole cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that represented God Himself in their midst. God is very apparent in their lives but it's not the life they expected so they are ready to throw in the towel. This is where we need to learn to look at life in context. You may not see God right now, but look back. What evidences can you draw from in your life? That same God that delivered you, healed you, provided for you before is still with you even if you can't see Him. Lastly, this passage shows me the danger of blaming others for our own problems. They want to name a new leader because in their minds this is all Moses' fault. They go to the extreme that when Caleb and Joshua speak up about the promised land they are ready to stone them to death. How's that for a state of mind? "You're trying to encourage me when I'm upset...I'm gonna kill you!" Doesn't make a whole lot of sense and yet there they are. They were blaming everyone around them and yet lacked the understanding that they were causing so much of what was going on because of their rebellion against God. Have you ever done that? Gotten good and mad at everyone around you and failed to see your part in your circumstances? Come on, be honest. We've all been there. The difference between the desert and the promised land is sometimes as simple as seeing our own faults and yielding ourselves to God.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Days 49-58
Lev 6:1-7:27; Mark 3:7-30; PS37:1-11; PR 10:3-4
Alright, February has been a rough month. I've kept up with most of the reading but admittedly I've slipped up some. But true to my word I will press on and make up those days as we go along. I'm starting again from February 28th. Day 59 See you there! Feel free to post under here for any of the days listed above.
Lev 7:28-9:6; Mark 3:31-4:25; PS 37:12-28; PR 10:5
Lev 9:7-10:20; Mark 4:26-5:20; PS 37:29-40; PR 10:6-7
Lev 11:1-12:8; Mark 5:21-43; PS 38:1-22; PR 10:8-9
Lev 13:1-59; Mark 6:1-29; PS 39:1-13; PR 10:10
Lev 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56; PS 40:1-10; PR 10:11-12
Lev 15:1-16:28; Mark 7:1-23; PS 40:11-17; PR 10:13-14
Lev 16:29-18:30; Mark 7:24-8:9; PS 41:1-13; PR 10:15-16
Lev 19:1-20:21; Mark 8:10-38; PS 42:1-11; PR 10:17
Lev 20:22-22:20; Mark 9:1-29; PS43:1-5; PR 10:18Alright, February has been a rough month. I've kept up with most of the reading but admittedly I've slipped up some. But true to my word I will press on and make up those days as we go along. I'm starting again from February 28th. Day 59 See you there! Feel free to post under here for any of the days listed above.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Day 48
Lev 4:1-5:19; Mark 2:13-3:6; PS 36:1-12; PR 10:1-2
Mark 2 - Isn't it funny how the Pharisees just followed Jesus around trying to get Him in trouble? The amazing thing is I know people like that today too. They just watch with eagle eyes waiting for God's people to mess up so they can discredit them. Unfortunately we can all fall into this trap. Jesus had the answer for them over and over again. My favorite one is when they ask Him why He's eating with the tax collectors and sinners. These "holier than thou" men can't believe that this great teacher would even attempt to rub shoulders with these horrible people. Jesus answer is simple, healthy people don't need a doctor. This is just further proof that we as a church and as Christians are not called to just focus on the inside of the church or on each other. We've already found the truth but what about all those people who have yet to find Christ? Stop judging people who help those you don't think deserve help. Jesus didn't come to reach the churched but the unchurched. I figure if that's good enough for Him it's good enough for me.
Mark 2 - Isn't it funny how the Pharisees just followed Jesus around trying to get Him in trouble? The amazing thing is I know people like that today too. They just watch with eagle eyes waiting for God's people to mess up so they can discredit them. Unfortunately we can all fall into this trap. Jesus had the answer for them over and over again. My favorite one is when they ask Him why He's eating with the tax collectors and sinners. These "holier than thou" men can't believe that this great teacher would even attempt to rub shoulders with these horrible people. Jesus answer is simple, healthy people don't need a doctor. This is just further proof that we as a church and as Christians are not called to just focus on the inside of the church or on each other. We've already found the truth but what about all those people who have yet to find Christ? Stop judging people who help those you don't think deserve help. Jesus didn't come to reach the churched but the unchurched. I figure if that's good enough for Him it's good enough for me.
Days 40-47
Okay, so I've really dropped the ball on blogging. I've been keeping up with the reading but haven't found the time to get the words onto the site. I'm gonna get back on track this week and will come back at a later date to transfer the words from my journal to the blog. Hope you're all keeping up and remember don't worry if you miss some days, just pick up on the right day and keep going.
Day 40 Ex 29:1-30:10; Matt 26:14-46; PS 31:19-24; PR 8:14-26
Day 41 Ex 30:11-31:18; Matt 26:47-68; PS 32:1-11; PR 8:27-32
Day 42 Ex 32:1-33:23; Matt 26:69-27:14; PS 33:1-11; PR 8:33-36
Day 43 Ex 34:1-35:9; Matt 27:15-34; PS 33:12-22; PR 9:1-6
Day 44 Ex 35:10-36:38; Matt 27:35-66; PS 34:1-10; PR 9:7-8
Day 45 Ex 37:1-38:31; Matt 28:1-20; PS 34:11-22; PR 9:9-10
Day 46 Ex 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; PS 35:1-16; PR 9:11-12
Day 47 Lev 1:1-3:17; Mark 1:29-2:12; PS 35:17-28; PR 9:13-18
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Day 39
Ex 28:1-43 Matt 25:31-26:13 PS 31:9-18 PR 8:12-13
MT - If you have ever thought that being a christian was all about going to church, singing songs and putting in time until Jesus came back, then this passage of scripture in chapter 25 just blew your theory out of the water. Clearly Jesus has called us to be more. There is such a balance to what our life is supposed to be. While we need to spend time studying and learning, fellowshiping with the saints and encouraging the body of believers, we can't ever forget what the reason is behind all that. We are called to GO INTO all the world and preach the gospel. In these verses He makes it clear how we can do that. Practical ministry. Practical outreach. Practical love. Being the hands and feet of Jesus. I really noticed that none of these ministries occurred inside the church. It all took place outside the walls. Inside ministry is meant to build and empower us as believers to take the message out into the world.
MT - If you have ever thought that being a christian was all about going to church, singing songs and putting in time until Jesus came back, then this passage of scripture in chapter 25 just blew your theory out of the water. Clearly Jesus has called us to be more. There is such a balance to what our life is supposed to be. While we need to spend time studying and learning, fellowshiping with the saints and encouraging the body of believers, we can't ever forget what the reason is behind all that. We are called to GO INTO all the world and preach the gospel. In these verses He makes it clear how we can do that. Practical ministry. Practical outreach. Practical love. Being the hands and feet of Jesus. I really noticed that none of these ministries occurred inside the church. It all took place outside the walls. Inside ministry is meant to build and empower us as believers to take the message out into the world.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Day 37 & 38
EX 23:14-25:40; MT 24:29-51; PS 30; PR 7:24-27
EX 26:1-27:21; MT 23:1-30; PS 31:1-8; PR 8:1-11
Hey Guys, I've been keeping up with the reading schedule but I have not had time to get on and blog. I will be catching up soon. Keep on reading!
EX 26:1-27:21; MT 23:1-30; PS 31:1-8; PR 8:1-11
Hey Guys, I've been keeping up with the reading schedule but I have not had time to get on and blog. I will be catching up soon. Keep on reading!
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Sunday, February 6, 2011
Day 36
Ex 21:22-23:13; Matt 24:1-28; PS 29:1-11; PR 7:6-23
MT 24:4 So why am I reading through the bible, and why should we all continue on in this journey through His word. This verse sums it up. "Take heed that no one deceives you." It's important that we know God's word because the day is coming when the things Jesus told His disciples about will come to pass. In fact as you look through this passage of scripture I think it's pretty safe to say that we're there. So what do we have that can help steer us through these times. Again, it's God's word. There will be a lot of people and those that call themselves teachers that will speak false doctrines. We need to study the words of Jesus so that we will not fall into these traps. I'm tired of seeing people get so caught up in something they heard years ago and not having any kind of personal relationship with Jesus. One of the greatest moments in my life came when I realized that I could hear from God on my own as well as learning through others teaching. If you don't study what is truth you will be more likely to be deceived.
Exodus - Anyone else glad we are saved by Grace?
MT 24:4 So why am I reading through the bible, and why should we all continue on in this journey through His word. This verse sums it up. "Take heed that no one deceives you." It's important that we know God's word because the day is coming when the things Jesus told His disciples about will come to pass. In fact as you look through this passage of scripture I think it's pretty safe to say that we're there. So what do we have that can help steer us through these times. Again, it's God's word. There will be a lot of people and those that call themselves teachers that will speak false doctrines. We need to study the words of Jesus so that we will not fall into these traps. I'm tired of seeing people get so caught up in something they heard years ago and not having any kind of personal relationship with Jesus. One of the greatest moments in my life came when I realized that I could hear from God on my own as well as learning through others teaching. If you don't study what is truth you will be more likely to be deceived.
Exodus - Anyone else glad we are saved by Grace?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Day 35
Ex 19:16-21:21; Matt 23:13-39; PS 28:1-9; PR 7:1-5
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day 34
Ex 17:8-19:15; Matt 22:33-23:12; PS 27:8-14; PR 6:27-35
Ps 27:14 - Simple lesson for life. "Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart." And in case you didn't get it the first time..."Wait," I say, "on the Lord!"
Probably one of the simplest and yet most profound instructions we can follow. Stop trying to race ahead of God. Stop getting mad at Him and others because things aren't going exactly the way you them too. Stop being impatient about your life. Wait on the Lord and be encouraged that when things do happen they will be perfect because they are going to be done according to His will and His timing. Again I say, Wait!
Ex 17 - Know your role. We all have different roles to play in this great game of life. Some are called to be leaders, some supporters and some workers. No one is any more important than anyone else. You just have to know where you fit. In this battle Moses was the leader. As long as his hands were raised their army was winning. When his hands dropped the battle swung to the other side. So I guess really Moses was responsible for the victory right? Of course not. Who can stand there all day with their hands raised for an entire day? Not Moses. His hands began to fall and in steps Aaron and Hur. They get him something to sit on and realize what's going on and so they position themselves on either side of Moses and hold his arms in the air. The battle begins to swing back to their side. What would have happened if these two men wouldn't have stepped in and said we need to come alongside Moses and literally support him in his leadership as we fight this war? So I guess it was really them that won the battle right? But wait, what about Joshua? I mean he's the guy down there in the trenches getting his life threatened, blood splattering everywhere, arrows flying past his head and swords being swung at him. If the battle could be won just by Moses raising his hands for while, Joshua was pointless. Right? No! Everything had to happen in sync for the battle to be won.
Guys we are at war in this world. There are people dying all around us. It's time we pushed our pride aside and asked some questions. For starters, where do you belong? Are you a leader? Is your role to be on the mountain top with hands raised crying out to God for victory? Are you a supporter? Is your role to be that one that comes alongside others, never to have the full spotlight but simply to lift up that leader in their time of need? This person can sometimes get lost in the crowd. They rarely get seen because their not calling the shots and their not carrying out the work, they are somewhere in between. Is this you? Or are you Joshua, called to get your hands dirty? To be in the middle of it all. Wherever you fit, just know this...it takes everyone to have victory. The devil will try to divide us but if we all find our place and do our jobs and not worry about who gets the credit, the victory will come for the glory of God.
Ps 27:14 - Simple lesson for life. "Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart." And in case you didn't get it the first time..."Wait," I say, "on the Lord!"
Probably one of the simplest and yet most profound instructions we can follow. Stop trying to race ahead of God. Stop getting mad at Him and others because things aren't going exactly the way you them too. Stop being impatient about your life. Wait on the Lord and be encouraged that when things do happen they will be perfect because they are going to be done according to His will and His timing. Again I say, Wait!
Ex 17 - Know your role. We all have different roles to play in this great game of life. Some are called to be leaders, some supporters and some workers. No one is any more important than anyone else. You just have to know where you fit. In this battle Moses was the leader. As long as his hands were raised their army was winning. When his hands dropped the battle swung to the other side. So I guess really Moses was responsible for the victory right? Of course not. Who can stand there all day with their hands raised for an entire day? Not Moses. His hands began to fall and in steps Aaron and Hur. They get him something to sit on and realize what's going on and so they position themselves on either side of Moses and hold his arms in the air. The battle begins to swing back to their side. What would have happened if these two men wouldn't have stepped in and said we need to come alongside Moses and literally support him in his leadership as we fight this war? So I guess it was really them that won the battle right? But wait, what about Joshua? I mean he's the guy down there in the trenches getting his life threatened, blood splattering everywhere, arrows flying past his head and swords being swung at him. If the battle could be won just by Moses raising his hands for while, Joshua was pointless. Right? No! Everything had to happen in sync for the battle to be won.
Guys we are at war in this world. There are people dying all around us. It's time we pushed our pride aside and asked some questions. For starters, where do you belong? Are you a leader? Is your role to be on the mountain top with hands raised crying out to God for victory? Are you a supporter? Is your role to be that one that comes alongside others, never to have the full spotlight but simply to lift up that leader in their time of need? This person can sometimes get lost in the crowd. They rarely get seen because their not calling the shots and their not carrying out the work, they are somewhere in between. Is this you? Or are you Joshua, called to get your hands dirty? To be in the middle of it all. Wherever you fit, just know this...it takes everyone to have victory. The devil will try to divide us but if we all find our place and do our jobs and not worry about who gets the credit, the victory will come for the glory of God.
Day 33
Ex 15:20-17:7; Matt 22:1-32; PS 27:1-7; PR 6:20-26
MT - This parable is used to illustrate who will enter into heaven. Two invitations are given, the first long in advance so that the people would have time to prepare themselves. The second to announce that the banquet was ready and they should come right away. That first invitation was to the children of Israel. That second invitation refers to the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus and the other disciples calling the Jews again. The people though didn't care because they were too caught up with "today" to care about the coming kingdom of heaven. Sound familiar? Verse 6 is talking about the religious authorities who condoned John the Baptists death and would later lead the charge to Jesus' crucifixion as well as the persecution of the early church. So then these "servants" are sent out to invite everyone they see. The gospel was no longer limited to the Jews but also us as Gentiles. Verse 11 talks about the man that did not have a wedding garment. In Rev. 19:8 the garment of fine linen worn by the bride is made up of the righteous deeds of the saints. It is not enough to just say I'm here, but we need to prepare ourselves for that day we enter into God's kingdom. We need to put on righteousness if we are to be accepted at the King's table. Obviously the idea of being cast into outer darkness is for all those who are not ready on that day and will be cast into hell.
Verse 14 - "called" here means to be invited. There will be many people invited into the kingdom of heaven but few will chose to accept that invitation and when that day comes they will not be "dressed" and ready to be among the "chosen" of God.
PS 27:4 - I love this verse. The one thing he desired...the one thing he longed for...the one thing he sought after in life...to be in the house of the Lord forever. Is that your dream...your goal...your one desire?
EX 15:22 - It took them only 3 days to forget the miracle of the Red sea. How long does it take you to forget the miracles God does in your life?
Side note: Did you know that "manna" literally means "what." As in this food appeared from God that they had never seen before and they all looked at each other and said..."what" is this? I've always thought that was funny.
MT - This parable is used to illustrate who will enter into heaven. Two invitations are given, the first long in advance so that the people would have time to prepare themselves. The second to announce that the banquet was ready and they should come right away. That first invitation was to the children of Israel. That second invitation refers to the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus and the other disciples calling the Jews again. The people though didn't care because they were too caught up with "today" to care about the coming kingdom of heaven. Sound familiar? Verse 6 is talking about the religious authorities who condoned John the Baptists death and would later lead the charge to Jesus' crucifixion as well as the persecution of the early church. So then these "servants" are sent out to invite everyone they see. The gospel was no longer limited to the Jews but also us as Gentiles. Verse 11 talks about the man that did not have a wedding garment. In Rev. 19:8 the garment of fine linen worn by the bride is made up of the righteous deeds of the saints. It is not enough to just say I'm here, but we need to prepare ourselves for that day we enter into God's kingdom. We need to put on righteousness if we are to be accepted at the King's table. Obviously the idea of being cast into outer darkness is for all those who are not ready on that day and will be cast into hell.
Verse 14 - "called" here means to be invited. There will be many people invited into the kingdom of heaven but few will chose to accept that invitation and when that day comes they will not be "dressed" and ready to be among the "chosen" of God.
PS 27:4 - I love this verse. The one thing he desired...the one thing he longed for...the one thing he sought after in life...to be in the house of the Lord forever. Is that your dream...your goal...your one desire?
EX 15:22 - It took them only 3 days to forget the miracle of the Red sea. How long does it take you to forget the miracles God does in your life?
Side note: Did you know that "manna" literally means "what." As in this food appeared from God that they had never seen before and they all looked at each other and said..."what" is this? I've always thought that was funny.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 32
Ex 13:17b-15:19; Matt 21:23-46; PS 26:1-12; PR 6:16-19
PR - I've always liked this passage. The writer makes the point these are things that God hates, no wait, actually they are an abomination to Him. For the record, this is the strongest word the bible ever uses to explain just how much something is detested. So, it's probably a good thing to know what it is that God doesn't like. So let's take a look.
1. A proud look - simply put...pride. Something who thinks they are above everyone else and won't even look at those "beneath" them.
2. A lying tongue - pretty self explanatory
3. Hands that shed innocent blood - also self explanatory
4. A heart that devises wicked plans - someone who is always working on doing wrong.
5. Feet that are swift in running to evil - people that are so greedy in their sinful pursuits that they don't waste any time in thinking about it, but run from one thing to the next.
6. A false witness who speaks lies - think it's interesting that of the seven things God hates, two of them involve lying. In this example it is someone who swears the are telling the truth...only to lie. Kinda shows how important the truth is to God.
7. One who sows discord among the brethrenn - Anyone who intentionally or I believe unintentionally creates disunity among family, community, or even the church. We are called to be peace makers not to cause division.
MT - This is an interesting passage as He talks to the chief Priests Jesus lets them know that He came to reach the Jews first. However, He came to seek and save the lost, no matter where they were from. So in the parable of the workers, the point is really that even those Gentiles who were not originally part of God's "chosen" people (the Jews) would receive the same reward of eternal life if they accepted Him as Savior. There were those religious people who thought they were set because of their family lineage and the fact that they followed certain rules. However, Jesus made the point that they were rejecting the truth and persecuting those who were trying to teach the truth. In the end they would be destroyed and those that they were persecuting would be elevated and exalted with Christ.
PR - I've always liked this passage. The writer makes the point these are things that God hates, no wait, actually they are an abomination to Him. For the record, this is the strongest word the bible ever uses to explain just how much something is detested. So, it's probably a good thing to know what it is that God doesn't like. So let's take a look.
1. A proud look - simply put...pride. Something who thinks they are above everyone else and won't even look at those "beneath" them.
2. A lying tongue - pretty self explanatory
3. Hands that shed innocent blood - also self explanatory
4. A heart that devises wicked plans - someone who is always working on doing wrong.
5. Feet that are swift in running to evil - people that are so greedy in their sinful pursuits that they don't waste any time in thinking about it, but run from one thing to the next.
6. A false witness who speaks lies - think it's interesting that of the seven things God hates, two of them involve lying. In this example it is someone who swears the are telling the truth...only to lie. Kinda shows how important the truth is to God.
7. One who sows discord among the brethrenn - Anyone who intentionally or I believe unintentionally creates disunity among family, community, or even the church. We are called to be peace makers not to cause division.
MT - This is an interesting passage as He talks to the chief Priests Jesus lets them know that He came to reach the Jews first. However, He came to seek and save the lost, no matter where they were from. So in the parable of the workers, the point is really that even those Gentiles who were not originally part of God's "chosen" people (the Jews) would receive the same reward of eternal life if they accepted Him as Savior. There were those religious people who thought they were set because of their family lineage and the fact that they followed certain rules. However, Jesus made the point that they were rejecting the truth and persecuting those who were trying to teach the truth. In the end they would be destroyed and those that they were persecuting would be elevated and exalted with Christ.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Day 31
Ex 12:14-13:17; Matt 20:29-21:22; PS 25:12-22; PR 6:12-15
PR - I found these verses really interesting. A worthless person...kinda makes it pretty plain what kind of person we're talking about it doesn't it? "A perverse mouth" is someone who lies all the time. The have "fraud" in their heart all the time. They are constantly trying to do wrong, they always are creating disunity among the people around them. Does this sound like anyone you know? More importantly, does it sound like you? I'm really finding as I read through the bible, the most important thing I can do is not to assume everything I read is about someone else. We have a tendency to want to believe all the blessings are for us, but all this "wicked" stuff is about someone else. I'm finding myself asking some really honest questions. Why? Because of verse 15..."his calamity will come suddenly." We can get so blinded by the wickedness in our hearts that we'll never see our destruction coming. I believe this doesn't only speak of physical destruction but also spiritual. Be honest with yourself because God is being honest with you.
MT 20:29-34 I love this short little story tucked in at the end of this chapter. These two blind men hear that Jesus is walking by and they call out to Him. Everyone tells them to shut up, but they continue to call out to Him. He comes to them and heals their eyes. What I love about this story is the fact that these men wouldn't let others get in the way of their miracle. Sometimes we have a tendency to let others distract us from what we believe God can do in our lives. We truly believe that God could do miracles but as we call out to Him it seems like doubters pop up around us to tell us that we just need to sit down and shut up and quit wasting our time. NEVER let anyone tell you to stop asking God for a miracle. He is able and He is willing to act. I heard someone say this today; "If you have the audacity to ask, God has the ability to act." Love it!
MT 21:21-22 I just thought this kind of tied into the thought I wrote about above. "If you have faith and do not doubt..." Prayer without doubt has the power to move mountains. You may not ever need to move a physical mountain, but I'm betting there are some pretty big things in your life that you feel like are hindering you from going where you are trying to go in life. Speak to that mountain in faith and believe that God will remove it. AMEN!
PR - I found these verses really interesting. A worthless person...kinda makes it pretty plain what kind of person we're talking about it doesn't it? "A perverse mouth" is someone who lies all the time. The have "fraud" in their heart all the time. They are constantly trying to do wrong, they always are creating disunity among the people around them. Does this sound like anyone you know? More importantly, does it sound like you? I'm really finding as I read through the bible, the most important thing I can do is not to assume everything I read is about someone else. We have a tendency to want to believe all the blessings are for us, but all this "wicked" stuff is about someone else. I'm finding myself asking some really honest questions. Why? Because of verse 15..."his calamity will come suddenly." We can get so blinded by the wickedness in our hearts that we'll never see our destruction coming. I believe this doesn't only speak of physical destruction but also spiritual. Be honest with yourself because God is being honest with you.
MT 20:29-34 I love this short little story tucked in at the end of this chapter. These two blind men hear that Jesus is walking by and they call out to Him. Everyone tells them to shut up, but they continue to call out to Him. He comes to them and heals their eyes. What I love about this story is the fact that these men wouldn't let others get in the way of their miracle. Sometimes we have a tendency to let others distract us from what we believe God can do in our lives. We truly believe that God could do miracles but as we call out to Him it seems like doubters pop up around us to tell us that we just need to sit down and shut up and quit wasting our time. NEVER let anyone tell you to stop asking God for a miracle. He is able and He is willing to act. I heard someone say this today; "If you have the audacity to ask, God has the ability to act." Love it!
MT 21:21-22 I just thought this kind of tied into the thought I wrote about above. "If you have faith and do not doubt..." Prayer without doubt has the power to move mountains. You may not ever need to move a physical mountain, but I'm betting there are some pretty big things in your life that you feel like are hindering you from going where you are trying to go in life. Speak to that mountain in faith and believe that God will remove it. AMEN!
Day 30
Ex 10:1-12:13; Matt 20:1-28; PS 25:1-11; PR 6:6-11
The whole reading today in Matthew was powerful. The first story Jesus tells reminds me of a message I heard at a conference last year. It was about the danger of comparison. In this story those who started working earlier in the day felt like they deserved more money than the ones who started working later in the day even though they had agreed to those wages. How often do we look at what others have and think to ourselves, I deserve what they have? Why do they keep getting placed ahead of me? Why are they so blessed and not me? Why can't our church be like that church? Why can't my family be like that family? We question God and if we are not careful we will allow bitterness to rise up within us and take root deep within our core. As you read down through this story we see again where the mother of James and John (the sons of Zebedee) came to Jesus and asked that her boys be seated on His right and left in the Kingdom. She wanted them elevated. Again, we see Jesus correct the situation. Comparison can be deadly to our souls. Comparison can tear lives apart. Comparison is dangerous because you are basing your desires on perception and not reality. The grass always looks greener but how often have you thought that only to realize it's not? I'm telling you the last words of Jesus in this section are the greatest words to live by..."the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."
To truly be a servant means to never seek the glory of your actions. It means never being offended if you are not recognized for your efforts. It means being confident in who you are and what God has called you to do. There will always come a time when you don't think how you're treated is fair, but that's when you have to find your confidence in what God has called you to do. Stop looking at the people around you and worrying about what they are doing or saying. Thank God that He can use you and me to do what only you and me can do.
The whole reading today in Matthew was powerful. The first story Jesus tells reminds me of a message I heard at a conference last year. It was about the danger of comparison. In this story those who started working earlier in the day felt like they deserved more money than the ones who started working later in the day even though they had agreed to those wages. How often do we look at what others have and think to ourselves, I deserve what they have? Why do they keep getting placed ahead of me? Why are they so blessed and not me? Why can't our church be like that church? Why can't my family be like that family? We question God and if we are not careful we will allow bitterness to rise up within us and take root deep within our core. As you read down through this story we see again where the mother of James and John (the sons of Zebedee) came to Jesus and asked that her boys be seated on His right and left in the Kingdom. She wanted them elevated. Again, we see Jesus correct the situation. Comparison can be deadly to our souls. Comparison can tear lives apart. Comparison is dangerous because you are basing your desires on perception and not reality. The grass always looks greener but how often have you thought that only to realize it's not? I'm telling you the last words of Jesus in this section are the greatest words to live by..."the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."
To truly be a servant means to never seek the glory of your actions. It means never being offended if you are not recognized for your efforts. It means being confident in who you are and what God has called you to do. There will always come a time when you don't think how you're treated is fair, but that's when you have to find your confidence in what God has called you to do. Stop looking at the people around you and worrying about what they are doing or saying. Thank God that He can use you and me to do what only you and me can do.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Day 29
Ex 7:25-9:35; Matt 19:13-30; PS 24:1-10; PR 6:1-5
MT 19:21-22 Jesus has a way of getting straight to the heart of the matter. He always has and always will. We can try to give off that everything in our life is great but He knows better because He knows our heart. This man asked what he needed to do to have eternal life and when Jesus mentioned some of the commandments the man thought, "I got this thing covered." But again, Jesus knew better. So He asked the man to give up the one thing that would be the hardest.
Understand, Jesus wasn't teaching salvation by works and we are not required to give away everything we have. What He was doing was proving the error in this man's thinking that he had fulfilled all of these commandments. If he truly loved his neighbor as himself, then he would have no problem in giving away all he had to the poor. But the man walked away sad because that was an awful lot to ask for. It was not that the man had to give everything away, but he needed to be willing.
What are you willing to give up? As much as I do right for God, is there something that I'm holding back? Is there that one thing that if He asked me to give it up, I would find myself walking away sorrowful?
vs 26 is a very familiar verse but it's kind of interesting to see it in it's original context. In this setting what Jesus is really referring to is the fact that it is impossible in our selfish, human flesh to give up anything in this world BUT it is possible with God to overcome this world's strongholds.
How did we answer those questions above? What are you willing to give up? Is there something you are struggling with that God is asking you to release to Him? Understand you won't be able to let it go on your own, but it is possible to let it go with God's help.
MT 19:21-22 Jesus has a way of getting straight to the heart of the matter. He always has and always will. We can try to give off that everything in our life is great but He knows better because He knows our heart. This man asked what he needed to do to have eternal life and when Jesus mentioned some of the commandments the man thought, "I got this thing covered." But again, Jesus knew better. So He asked the man to give up the one thing that would be the hardest.
Understand, Jesus wasn't teaching salvation by works and we are not required to give away everything we have. What He was doing was proving the error in this man's thinking that he had fulfilled all of these commandments. If he truly loved his neighbor as himself, then he would have no problem in giving away all he had to the poor. But the man walked away sad because that was an awful lot to ask for. It was not that the man had to give everything away, but he needed to be willing.
What are you willing to give up? As much as I do right for God, is there something that I'm holding back? Is there that one thing that if He asked me to give it up, I would find myself walking away sorrowful?
vs 26 is a very familiar verse but it's kind of interesting to see it in it's original context. In this setting what Jesus is really referring to is the fact that it is impossible in our selfish, human flesh to give up anything in this world BUT it is possible with God to overcome this world's strongholds.
How did we answer those questions above? What are you willing to give up? Is there something you are struggling with that God is asking you to release to Him? Understand you won't be able to let it go on your own, but it is possible to let it go with God's help.
Day 28
Ex 5:22-7:24; Matt 18:23-19:12; PS 23:1-6; PR 5:22-23
MT 18:23-35 Such a simple illustration about forgiveness. The biggest problem I think we have sometimes with forgiveness is that we lose sight of who we really are. We see ourselves as the victim in life. That everything has been done to us. I know that a lot of us have had horrible things happen in our lives and I'm not trying to trivialize that. I'm saying that Jesus Christ died on a cross so that we could overcome EVERYTHING in our life. We did not just gain eternal life but life more abundantly on this earth. The way that was accomplished was through the forgiveness of our sins and through the healing of not only our physical pain but also our emotional pain.
When I read this it strikes me that forgiveness must have been a problem back then as well. Jesus talked about it quite a bit. Not only that, but it is one sin that Jesus put a lot of attention on and went overboard explaining the importance and consequences for. If you don't forgive you won't be forgiven. His thought on how to get to that point of forgiveness. Don't ever forget how much you have been forgiven for. What I see is that it is almost impossible to truly forgive without the understanding of the full grace of God's love for us. He forgave us of so much, in return we are asked to forgive others. In comparison no amount of pain or hurt can come close to our eternal souls.
PS 23 Probably the most quoted Psalm in the bible. My favorite part is verse 4. There is no false hopes here. It says very plainly "though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death." There are going to be scary times in our lives but it continues on to say "I will fear no evil." Why? "For you are with me." We have nothing in life to fear because God is with us no matter where we go. Praise the Lord!
MT 18:23-35 Such a simple illustration about forgiveness. The biggest problem I think we have sometimes with forgiveness is that we lose sight of who we really are. We see ourselves as the victim in life. That everything has been done to us. I know that a lot of us have had horrible things happen in our lives and I'm not trying to trivialize that. I'm saying that Jesus Christ died on a cross so that we could overcome EVERYTHING in our life. We did not just gain eternal life but life more abundantly on this earth. The way that was accomplished was through the forgiveness of our sins and through the healing of not only our physical pain but also our emotional pain.
When I read this it strikes me that forgiveness must have been a problem back then as well. Jesus talked about it quite a bit. Not only that, but it is one sin that Jesus put a lot of attention on and went overboard explaining the importance and consequences for. If you don't forgive you won't be forgiven. His thought on how to get to that point of forgiveness. Don't ever forget how much you have been forgiven for. What I see is that it is almost impossible to truly forgive without the understanding of the full grace of God's love for us. He forgave us of so much, in return we are asked to forgive others. In comparison no amount of pain or hurt can come close to our eternal souls.
PS 23 Probably the most quoted Psalm in the bible. My favorite part is verse 4. There is no false hopes here. It says very plainly "though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death." There are going to be scary times in our lives but it continues on to say "I will fear no evil." Why? "For you are with me." We have nothing in life to fear because God is with us no matter where we go. Praise the Lord!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Day 27
Ex 4:1-5:21; Matt 18:1-22; PS 22:19-31; PR 5:15-21
Let me pick up where I left off yesterday. Even after all the great things God has said to encourage Moses, he is still struggling with His calling. So God gives him signs and wonders to perform. Finally Moses says, "O my Lod, I am not eloquent of speech." In today's terms he said, God I can't talk good. Moses had a stuttering problem. Here comes the greatest answer ever for all of us. God speaks to Moses and says to Him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?" In other words, God asks Moses this, "You don't think I know you have a stuttering problem? Did you forget who you're talking to?" Guys let's try to remember that when God asks you to do something, He already knows you can do it because He made you to do it.
PR - I really shouldn't have to explain this one but I couldn't help myself. Men, don't get sidetracked by the next pretty woman who walks past you. Fall in love everyday with your wife. Don't become sidetracked by women trying to lead you away. Proverbs is a book about wisdom. Don't be stupid, love your wife with all your heart and remember...God is watching...Always.
Day 26
Ex 2:11-3:22; Matt 17:10-27; PS 22:1-18; PR 5:7-14
EX 2:23-25 - The significance of the King of Egypt dying is that now Moses could return and not be afraid of the death penalty. At that time when the King died the authorities would drop all pending cases.
Now the king's death did not make anything easier for the Israelites. They began to cry out to God because of the bondage they were under in Egypt. What was the covenant that God had made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob? To bring their families to a land flowing with milk and honey. It was time for God to carry out His promise.
EX 3 - Have you ever wondered, "Why a burning bush?" What would God have done if Moses just tucked tail and ran away from that bush on fire? I like how God knows how to get our attention.
From verse 11 on, this part of Moses' story becomes very personal to me. When I first started in ministry I had a lot of insecurities. I didn't feel like I was prepared to do what God was asking me to do. Then I read this story and a lot of the questions Moses had were the same as the ones I had. Starting with "who am I" to go do what you want me to do. I can't tell you the number of times I've thought that. Who am I God? Why would you choose me? Then suddenly the tone of the question changed for me. It suddenly went from insecurity to wonder. Who am I? And yet you still chose me...Thank you. His answer to Moses became His answer to me as well. God said, "I will certainly be with you." How awesome is that? It's very awesome.
Secondly, Moses says I'm a nobody. What if they won't listen to me? God's answer...Tell them I AM has sent you. Greatest revelation I ever got came right here. God's name is I AM! For everything I am not, God says, "I AM." I don't care who you are, that's just awesome. I don't have to be great because God is great. Take that and run with it...I did.
EX 2:23-25 - The significance of the King of Egypt dying is that now Moses could return and not be afraid of the death penalty. At that time when the King died the authorities would drop all pending cases.
Now the king's death did not make anything easier for the Israelites. They began to cry out to God because of the bondage they were under in Egypt. What was the covenant that God had made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob? To bring their families to a land flowing with milk and honey. It was time for God to carry out His promise.
EX 3 - Have you ever wondered, "Why a burning bush?" What would God have done if Moses just tucked tail and ran away from that bush on fire? I like how God knows how to get our attention.
From verse 11 on, this part of Moses' story becomes very personal to me. When I first started in ministry I had a lot of insecurities. I didn't feel like I was prepared to do what God was asking me to do. Then I read this story and a lot of the questions Moses had were the same as the ones I had. Starting with "who am I" to go do what you want me to do. I can't tell you the number of times I've thought that. Who am I God? Why would you choose me? Then suddenly the tone of the question changed for me. It suddenly went from insecurity to wonder. Who am I? And yet you still chose me...Thank you. His answer to Moses became His answer to me as well. God said, "I will certainly be with you." How awesome is that? It's very awesome.
Secondly, Moses says I'm a nobody. What if they won't listen to me? God's answer...Tell them I AM has sent you. Greatest revelation I ever got came right here. God's name is I AM! For everything I am not, God says, "I AM." I don't care who you are, that's just awesome. I don't have to be great because God is great. Take that and run with it...I did.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Day 25
Gen 50:1-Ex 2:10; Matt 16:13-17:9; PS 21:1-13; PR 5:1-6
MT 17:1-9 Transfiguration (Joy asked me to explain this)
I've never really put this together until tonight. What happened on this mountain was that Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to see Himself in His true glory. Remember when Moses went up the mountain in the OT? While there he met with God and when he came down the people said his face shone with the glory of God. Well that's what happens here. Jesus came to earth as a man, but He was still God. What the disciples were seeing at this moment was Jesus revealing the glory of His Father in Him. What I've never put together was these two chapters...16 and 17. As most of you know, when the bible was originally written it wasn't broke down into chapter and verse. That was something translators did later to help the translation process. What that means is that they should be read with no break or separation. Near the end of Chapter 16 Jesus asks these same men, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's response was that He was "the Christ, the Son of the living God." The Holy Spirit had revealed to Peter that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the one talked about in the prophesies. And now that they had this understanding, Jesus was able to reveal His true glory to them. I think that speaks true in our lives as well. It is only after we come to the understanding of who Jesus is that He can reveal Himself to us.
The significance of Moses and Elijah being there was this:
Moses represented the old law, he was the one that God had passed down His law through.
Elijah is referred as the chief prophet. These prophets were the ones that gave the prophesies of who the Messiah would be.
What this meeting represents is the passing of the old law (Ten Commandments) to the new law (Jesus as the new covenant.) Also, the fulfillment of the prophesies about the Messiah.
GE 50:19-21 This is a realization we all need to come to in our own lives. Here his brothers are begging for forgiveness because they are afraid now that their father is dead Joseph is going to "take them out" for all they did to him. His response though is wonderful and such an incredible example. "Am I in the place of God?" In other words, it's not my place to judge you and certainly not my place to condemn you. You meant to harm me, but God took me and protected me and still got me to where He wanted me to be. We all need to step back when people try to harm us in anyway and realize that we are not God and it's not our place to be prosecutor or judge and jury. Leave it to God and believe that He can take all situations meant to harm us and turn them to good when we depend on Him.
EX 1 - Isn't it amazing what fear can make you do? The children of Israel are minding their own business, not causing any harm at all. Then this Pharaoh comes along and sees how many of them there are and says; "I need to wipe these people, just in case they decide to rise up against us." That is fear in a nutshell. It will make us destroy people because we are scared of what MIGHT happen. Ultimately this fear becomes Pharaoh's downfall. Don't let fear destroy you.
MT 17:1-9 Transfiguration (Joy asked me to explain this)
I've never really put this together until tonight. What happened on this mountain was that Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to see Himself in His true glory. Remember when Moses went up the mountain in the OT? While there he met with God and when he came down the people said his face shone with the glory of God. Well that's what happens here. Jesus came to earth as a man, but He was still God. What the disciples were seeing at this moment was Jesus revealing the glory of His Father in Him. What I've never put together was these two chapters...16 and 17. As most of you know, when the bible was originally written it wasn't broke down into chapter and verse. That was something translators did later to help the translation process. What that means is that they should be read with no break or separation. Near the end of Chapter 16 Jesus asks these same men, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's response was that He was "the Christ, the Son of the living God." The Holy Spirit had revealed to Peter that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the one talked about in the prophesies. And now that they had this understanding, Jesus was able to reveal His true glory to them. I think that speaks true in our lives as well. It is only after we come to the understanding of who Jesus is that He can reveal Himself to us.
The significance of Moses and Elijah being there was this:
Moses represented the old law, he was the one that God had passed down His law through.
Elijah is referred as the chief prophet. These prophets were the ones that gave the prophesies of who the Messiah would be.
What this meeting represents is the passing of the old law (Ten Commandments) to the new law (Jesus as the new covenant.) Also, the fulfillment of the prophesies about the Messiah.
GE 50:19-21 This is a realization we all need to come to in our own lives. Here his brothers are begging for forgiveness because they are afraid now that their father is dead Joseph is going to "take them out" for all they did to him. His response though is wonderful and such an incredible example. "Am I in the place of God?" In other words, it's not my place to judge you and certainly not my place to condemn you. You meant to harm me, but God took me and protected me and still got me to where He wanted me to be. We all need to step back when people try to harm us in anyway and realize that we are not God and it's not our place to be prosecutor or judge and jury. Leave it to God and believe that He can take all situations meant to harm us and turn them to good when we depend on Him.
EX 1 - Isn't it amazing what fear can make you do? The children of Israel are minding their own business, not causing any harm at all. Then this Pharaoh comes along and sees how many of them there are and says; "I need to wipe these people, just in case they decide to rise up against us." That is fear in a nutshell. It will make us destroy people because we are scared of what MIGHT happen. Ultimately this fear becomes Pharaoh's downfall. Don't let fear destroy you.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 24
GE 48-49; MT 15:29-16:12; PS 20; PR 4:20-27
GE 48 - There was so much emphasis place on the rights given to the first born child back then. Joseph became so upset when his father gave the greater blessing to his younger son. I was thinking about that and what struck me is that in today's society we'd probably think, "what's the big deal?" The crazy old man probably just got confused, it's not that important anyway. We have lost the understanding of how much power there is in our words. We have the power to speak blessings and curses. Remember that the next time you pray for your kids or anyone else for that matter. It made me think of my own dad. I talk to him from time to time and he tells me how he prays for me, Joy and our kids. He talks to me about the prayers he prays for my sister and brother-in-law and their kids. Each person has something specific he is praying and speaking over them. It just reminded me of how blessed I am to have the parents I have.
GE 49 - Could you imagine standing in that room as your father tells you what kind of future he sees for you? Just a side note that may be of interest. Jesus lineage is traced back to Judah. Go back and see what his dad said about him.
PS 20:7 - Some people try to find strength in themselves. They try to force their way through life. Just as in that day a kingdom was as great as it's army. But when we trust in the Lord, He will raise us up.
PR 4:23-27 These are some challenging verses.
23 - "Keep your heart...for out of it springs the issues of life." What am I allowing to be in my heart? What's closest to my heart will determine what happens in my life.
24 - What am I saying? Am I honest...about everything? Do I commit sin with my mouth? Beyond cussing and dirty jokes. Do I gossip, attack people with my words, or speak negativity?
25 - What am I looking at? Do I see things, people, or tasks through God's eyes?
26/27 - Am I thinking about where I am going? Am I letting God lead me?
Really...Honestly...How do we answer these questions?
GE 48 - There was so much emphasis place on the rights given to the first born child back then. Joseph became so upset when his father gave the greater blessing to his younger son. I was thinking about that and what struck me is that in today's society we'd probably think, "what's the big deal?" The crazy old man probably just got confused, it's not that important anyway. We have lost the understanding of how much power there is in our words. We have the power to speak blessings and curses. Remember that the next time you pray for your kids or anyone else for that matter. It made me think of my own dad. I talk to him from time to time and he tells me how he prays for me, Joy and our kids. He talks to me about the prayers he prays for my sister and brother-in-law and their kids. Each person has something specific he is praying and speaking over them. It just reminded me of how blessed I am to have the parents I have.
GE 49 - Could you imagine standing in that room as your father tells you what kind of future he sees for you? Just a side note that may be of interest. Jesus lineage is traced back to Judah. Go back and see what his dad said about him.
PS 20:7 - Some people try to find strength in themselves. They try to force their way through life. Just as in that day a kingdom was as great as it's army. But when we trust in the Lord, He will raise us up.
PR 4:23-27 These are some challenging verses.
23 - "Keep your heart...for out of it springs the issues of life." What am I allowing to be in my heart? What's closest to my heart will determine what happens in my life.
24 - What am I saying? Am I honest...about everything? Do I commit sin with my mouth? Beyond cussing and dirty jokes. Do I gossip, attack people with my words, or speak negativity?
25 - What am I looking at? Do I see things, people, or tasks through God's eyes?
26/27 - Am I thinking about where I am going? Am I letting God lead me?
Really...Honestly...How do we answer these questions?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Day 23
Gen 46:1-47:31; Matt 15:1-28; PS 19:1-14; PR 4:14-19
PS 19:1-3 I love the imagery these verses create. I'm sitting in my living room and as a read this I couldn't help but stop and look out the window. God's glory is revealed through His creation. So often we just think about God being revealed through us because we are created in His image but according to this passage God speaks to us through the world around us as well. I love the fact that no matter what language you speak or where you live you can learn about God through the sights and scenes of glorious creation. As you look into the way our universe operates it is impossible not to realize the greatness of God.
PR - The last two days of Proverbs really shows the contrasting effects of good versus evil. The path of the wise is straight, unobstructed, and safe. The path of the wicked hazardous and dangerous. One is filled with light and the other with darkness. Wisdom leads to a promise and wickedness leads to destruction. I think taking a good honest look at our lives can answer the question for us as to whether we are on the path of wisdom or wickedness.
MT - As usual the Pharisees are trying to corner Jesus into incriminating Himself because He didn't do what their laws instructed. The problem with the Pharisees is that they built a whole religion based on interpretation of God's commands instead of just following God's commands. They created a system of traditions thereby demeaning God's commands. That's why He calls them hypocrites, because they were acting so holy and yet they were manipulating the system for their own gain. In this particular case you have to understand the customs of that day based on God's command to "honor your father and mother." It meant not only to respect them but also to take care of them as they had needs. What people in the church were doing was saying that they had dedicated their finances to the Lord and therefore could not give anything to their parents. God's command was to take care of our families, not to use the money for our own gain by "saying" it was for God. If it was really for God, you'd use it to obey Him by keeping His command to "honor" your parents.
That's why He goes on to quote the prophecy of Isaiah where it said that they would teach doctrine or "interpretation" as law or "absolute."
Vs 10-11 This whole discussion had started because the disciples didn't wash their hands before eating as the law stated they should. Unsanitary? Yes. Would it defile your very soul? Uhhh...no. Jesus made the point, it's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you, but what comes out. Why? Because that is what exposes what is in your heart. Remember we read a few days ago..."out of the abundance of the heart a man speaketh.
Vs 12-14 I think it's funny how the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him if He realized that He just offended the Pharisees. His response is a great lesson for us as well. We can't worry about offending those that believe differently than us. We also can't get caught up in arguing with them. If their doctrine is not true (not planted by God) then it will be exposed on it's own. All we can do is preach His gospel, sharing the truth without shame.
Vs 21-28 At first glance some might think Jesus was a little harsh on this woman. She was a Gentile (non-Jew). Jesus would always give the Jews the first chance to respond to Him. They were God's chosen people. The Gentiles weren't looking for a Messiah, that was only in the Jewish teaching. This is why Jesus was so excited by her faith. (did you notice the exclamation mark? NKJV) She believed in Him even though she had presumably never been taught about who He could be.
PS 19:1-3 I love the imagery these verses create. I'm sitting in my living room and as a read this I couldn't help but stop and look out the window. God's glory is revealed through His creation. So often we just think about God being revealed through us because we are created in His image but according to this passage God speaks to us through the world around us as well. I love the fact that no matter what language you speak or where you live you can learn about God through the sights and scenes of glorious creation. As you look into the way our universe operates it is impossible not to realize the greatness of God.
PR - The last two days of Proverbs really shows the contrasting effects of good versus evil. The path of the wise is straight, unobstructed, and safe. The path of the wicked hazardous and dangerous. One is filled with light and the other with darkness. Wisdom leads to a promise and wickedness leads to destruction. I think taking a good honest look at our lives can answer the question for us as to whether we are on the path of wisdom or wickedness.
MT - As usual the Pharisees are trying to corner Jesus into incriminating Himself because He didn't do what their laws instructed. The problem with the Pharisees is that they built a whole religion based on interpretation of God's commands instead of just following God's commands. They created a system of traditions thereby demeaning God's commands. That's why He calls them hypocrites, because they were acting so holy and yet they were manipulating the system for their own gain. In this particular case you have to understand the customs of that day based on God's command to "honor your father and mother." It meant not only to respect them but also to take care of them as they had needs. What people in the church were doing was saying that they had dedicated their finances to the Lord and therefore could not give anything to their parents. God's command was to take care of our families, not to use the money for our own gain by "saying" it was for God. If it was really for God, you'd use it to obey Him by keeping His command to "honor" your parents.
That's why He goes on to quote the prophecy of Isaiah where it said that they would teach doctrine or "interpretation" as law or "absolute."
Vs 10-11 This whole discussion had started because the disciples didn't wash their hands before eating as the law stated they should. Unsanitary? Yes. Would it defile your very soul? Uhhh...no. Jesus made the point, it's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you, but what comes out. Why? Because that is what exposes what is in your heart. Remember we read a few days ago..."out of the abundance of the heart a man speaketh.
Vs 12-14 I think it's funny how the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him if He realized that He just offended the Pharisees. His response is a great lesson for us as well. We can't worry about offending those that believe differently than us. We also can't get caught up in arguing with them. If their doctrine is not true (not planted by God) then it will be exposed on it's own. All we can do is preach His gospel, sharing the truth without shame.
Vs 21-28 At first glance some might think Jesus was a little harsh on this woman. She was a Gentile (non-Jew). Jesus would always give the Jews the first chance to respond to Him. They were God's chosen people. The Gentiles weren't looking for a Messiah, that was only in the Jewish teaching. This is why Jesus was so excited by her faith. (did you notice the exclamation mark? NKJV) She believed in Him even though she had presumably never been taught about who He could be.
Day 22
Gen 44:1-45:28; Matt 14:14-36; PS 18:35-50; PR 4:11-13
GE 45:5 - "God sent me before you to preserve life." This is the OT version of the principle that God can take what our enemies meant for evil and use it for good. When you live your life for God and you strive to serve Him in all situations, it doesn't matter what people try to do to keep you down because God will always be sure you fulfill the dreams He put in your heart. I'm constantly reminded of what we read a few days ago..."The Lord was with Joseph." Those are some mighty powerful words and they keep resonating in my spirit.
MT 14:16-21 Have you ever really thought about this story. It says Jesus took the loaves, blessed them and then gave them to the disciples and they passed them out. That means the disciples started walking through the crowd breaking of chunks of bread and it never ran out. Stop for a second and picture that, cause when you do it kinda blows your mind.
MT 14:28-31 This is a very often quoted story. We all tell each other to "step out of the boat." I'm reading this story today and something really jumps out to me for the first time. Peter stepped out of the boat in the midst of a storm because Jesus said "come." Then when Peter starts to sink Jesus reaches out His hand, helps Peter back up and then says to him; "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Can you imagine that? You've just stepped out of a boat to walk on water and you're not the Son of God and when you start to sink after a few steps, you're told you are lacking faith. I think though I can relate to this story. I have to say, when God leads me to do something outside my comfort zone I'm a little nervous and a little excited and it doesn't take a whole lot of convincing for me to "step out of the boat." However, once past the initial excitement the shine wears off and suddenly I'm very aware of the fact that I'm out of the comfort zone. Once that awareness kicks in I become very nervous and I start to doubt whether I really belong where I am out there "on the water." When that happens I begin to sink spiritually, I panic and try to get myself out of it of course with no success. It takes faith to "step out of the boat." But it doesn't stop there. Do you have enough faith to see it through when the situation God calls you into starts getting rougher than you expected? Faith isn't a one time decision, it's a daily one.
GE 45:5 - "God sent me before you to preserve life." This is the OT version of the principle that God can take what our enemies meant for evil and use it for good. When you live your life for God and you strive to serve Him in all situations, it doesn't matter what people try to do to keep you down because God will always be sure you fulfill the dreams He put in your heart. I'm constantly reminded of what we read a few days ago..."The Lord was with Joseph." Those are some mighty powerful words and they keep resonating in my spirit.
MT 14:16-21 Have you ever really thought about this story. It says Jesus took the loaves, blessed them and then gave them to the disciples and they passed them out. That means the disciples started walking through the crowd breaking of chunks of bread and it never ran out. Stop for a second and picture that, cause when you do it kinda blows your mind.
MT 14:28-31 This is a very often quoted story. We all tell each other to "step out of the boat." I'm reading this story today and something really jumps out to me for the first time. Peter stepped out of the boat in the midst of a storm because Jesus said "come." Then when Peter starts to sink Jesus reaches out His hand, helps Peter back up and then says to him; "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Can you imagine that? You've just stepped out of a boat to walk on water and you're not the Son of God and when you start to sink after a few steps, you're told you are lacking faith. I think though I can relate to this story. I have to say, when God leads me to do something outside my comfort zone I'm a little nervous and a little excited and it doesn't take a whole lot of convincing for me to "step out of the boat." However, once past the initial excitement the shine wears off and suddenly I'm very aware of the fact that I'm out of the comfort zone. Once that awareness kicks in I become very nervous and I start to doubt whether I really belong where I am out there "on the water." When that happens I begin to sink spiritually, I panic and try to get myself out of it of course with no success. It takes faith to "step out of the boat." But it doesn't stop there. Do you have enough faith to see it through when the situation God calls you into starts getting rougher than you expected? Faith isn't a one time decision, it's a daily one.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Day 21
Gen 42:18-43:34; Matt 13:47-14:13; PS 18:16-34; PR 4:7-10
GE 42:21-22 I just found it interesting how they automatically assumed they were being punished or judged by God for what they did for Joseph. Can anyone say; "guilty conscience?" It's been 20 years and that's their reaction. I guess this is an example of "beware, your sins will find you out."
PS 18:29 just became my new favorite verse. Me and my youth pastor from McEwen used to talk about "running through walls." It was what we said when we got really passionate about something. This verse reminded me of Scott.
"For by You I can run against a troop.
By my God I can leap over a wall."
PR 4:7-9 "Wisdom is the principal thing." That word "principal" is translated to mean "the first in order or importance." In other words, wisdom is the most important thing we can obtain in this life. The wisdom that God gives us. Then it goes on to say that if you place this wisdom first in your life, you in return will be exalted for it. Isn't it amazing that if we will just listen to God, He will raise so far above where we could ever get on our own.
MT 13:47-50 Parable of the dragnet
The type of dragnet used in this parable was used to drag a wide sweep of water along the bottom of the sea. It would then pull up all types of fish which would then need to be separated. Remember Jesus is giving His disciples instructions here and in this particular parable they are being instructed to go out and gather all types of people. To not discriminate race, economical stature, age or anything else. In the end those brought in will be judged and those found to be false conversions will be cast into the fiery furnace or hell.
57-58 It's sad sometimes to see people who have changed their lives through Jesus Christ not taken seriously because of their past. Sometimes it is because they have had a horribly sinful past and people just can't get past that. Other times it is because people knew them before they began to preach or teach and won't take them seriously because of familiarity. Remember Jesus grew up in a town just like the rest of us. He went to school and to church. He had parents and siblings. He had a normal childhood. And so when He shows up back in town and starts trying to preach this new gospel message they look at Him like; "who does little Jesus think he is now?" Sadly I've seen people do that in our own culture and society. They see someone that grew up with them and they refuse to take them seriously in ministry. I've seen people discouraged to pursue their dreams and callings because the ones they discussed it with couldn't see past the familiarity of that person. They couldn't see them accomplishing anything great because they had never done anything great before. It says in verse 58 that Jesus couldn't do many miracles in that place because of their unbelief. How many miracles and moves of God have we missed out on because we won't let people rise to their full potential. Never let anyone hold you back from who God has called you to be!!
GE 42:21-22 I just found it interesting how they automatically assumed they were being punished or judged by God for what they did for Joseph. Can anyone say; "guilty conscience?" It's been 20 years and that's their reaction. I guess this is an example of "beware, your sins will find you out."
PS 18:29 just became my new favorite verse. Me and my youth pastor from McEwen used to talk about "running through walls." It was what we said when we got really passionate about something. This verse reminded me of Scott.
"For by You I can run against a troop.
By my God I can leap over a wall."
PR 4:7-9 "Wisdom is the principal thing." That word "principal" is translated to mean "the first in order or importance." In other words, wisdom is the most important thing we can obtain in this life. The wisdom that God gives us. Then it goes on to say that if you place this wisdom first in your life, you in return will be exalted for it. Isn't it amazing that if we will just listen to God, He will raise so far above where we could ever get on our own.
MT 13:47-50 Parable of the dragnet
The type of dragnet used in this parable was used to drag a wide sweep of water along the bottom of the sea. It would then pull up all types of fish which would then need to be separated. Remember Jesus is giving His disciples instructions here and in this particular parable they are being instructed to go out and gather all types of people. To not discriminate race, economical stature, age or anything else. In the end those brought in will be judged and those found to be false conversions will be cast into the fiery furnace or hell.
57-58 It's sad sometimes to see people who have changed their lives through Jesus Christ not taken seriously because of their past. Sometimes it is because they have had a horribly sinful past and people just can't get past that. Other times it is because people knew them before they began to preach or teach and won't take them seriously because of familiarity. Remember Jesus grew up in a town just like the rest of us. He went to school and to church. He had parents and siblings. He had a normal childhood. And so when He shows up back in town and starts trying to preach this new gospel message they look at Him like; "who does little Jesus think he is now?" Sadly I've seen people do that in our own culture and society. They see someone that grew up with them and they refuse to take them seriously in ministry. I've seen people discouraged to pursue their dreams and callings because the ones they discussed it with couldn't see past the familiarity of that person. They couldn't see them accomplishing anything great because they had never done anything great before. It says in verse 58 that Jesus couldn't do many miracles in that place because of their unbelief. How many miracles and moves of God have we missed out on because we won't let people rise to their full potential. Never let anyone hold you back from who God has called you to be!!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Day 20
GE 41:17-42:17; MT 13:24-46: PS 18:1-15; PR 4:1-6
GE 37:2 tells us that Joseph was just 17 years old when he had his dream about his brothers bowing down to him. GE 41:46 says he was 30 years old when he was made second in command over Egypt. After that was seven years of plenty and then came the famine, and along came Joseph's brothers. What does all that mean? 20 years went by before Joseph saw his dream come true. A lot of bad stuff happened along the way, but he remained faithful. How long are you willing to wait to see your dreams come true? Can you stand through the trials? What God promised He will see through.
PS 18:1-2 - We all see God in terms we understand. If your a sports fan, He may be your quarterback in this game of life. If you are into comic books, He may be your Superman. If you're a nerd, He may be the greatest Jedi ever. Just kidding Jason. David was a military man, so when he talked about God he used terms that related to the battles he fought.
Rock - when they needed to find rest from the fight David and his men would to the rocks and find shelter within the caves and crevices. No one could attack when they were hidden there.
Fortress - they would find a place surrounded on three sides by rock so there was only one way in. It was easier to defend one gate then many. When we surround ourselves with God, they have to go through Him to get to us. Which leads us to...
Shield - this refers to a type of shield that would cover a man almost from head to toe. It designed in such a way that it could link together with other shields and form an impenetrable wall. Protection against arrows, swords, and spears. Hide behind God and let Him protect every area of your life.
Horn of salvation - this was a helmet worn by the general in the army. When they returned from battle, if he was wearing this helmet with the horn turned up it meant they had won the battle. We have victory in God.
Stronghold or High Tower (KJV) - the last line of defense. If the walls were breached to the fortress there was a high tower within those walls that the people could run into. Inside those walls was food, weapons and other supplies. Enough to wait out any attack. When everything else in life fails you, find shelter in God's high tower. Run to Him as David did and He will give you victory.
MT - Parable of wheat and tares
Why doesn't God destroy evil people? Because in the process innocent people may be hurt that could be saved. So we are allowed to live together for now but in the end God's perfect judgement will be passed down and no wickedness will be spared.
Parable of the treasure
Heaven and therefore our salvation is worth giving up everything we have and are in order to obtain that promise. Hold nothing back from God and He will hold nothing back from you.
Parable of the pearl - basically the same principle as the treasure.
Parable of the mustard seed
A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in nature but it produces one of the largest trees. A tree large enough for birds to nest in was considered a sign of prosperity in the OT. So what this is saying is that even though the number of people who will inherit the earth may have started small in Jesus day, that number will grow larger.
Parable of Yeast
Yeast grows dough from within. The kingdom of heaven does not grow from an external force. In other words, God doesn't use an army to force people to believe in Him but rather He uses the power of the Holy Spirit to help us to grow from the inside.
GE 37:2 tells us that Joseph was just 17 years old when he had his dream about his brothers bowing down to him. GE 41:46 says he was 30 years old when he was made second in command over Egypt. After that was seven years of plenty and then came the famine, and along came Joseph's brothers. What does all that mean? 20 years went by before Joseph saw his dream come true. A lot of bad stuff happened along the way, but he remained faithful. How long are you willing to wait to see your dreams come true? Can you stand through the trials? What God promised He will see through.
PS 18:1-2 - We all see God in terms we understand. If your a sports fan, He may be your quarterback in this game of life. If you are into comic books, He may be your Superman. If you're a nerd, He may be the greatest Jedi ever. Just kidding Jason. David was a military man, so when he talked about God he used terms that related to the battles he fought.
Rock - when they needed to find rest from the fight David and his men would to the rocks and find shelter within the caves and crevices. No one could attack when they were hidden there.
Fortress - they would find a place surrounded on three sides by rock so there was only one way in. It was easier to defend one gate then many. When we surround ourselves with God, they have to go through Him to get to us. Which leads us to...
Shield - this refers to a type of shield that would cover a man almost from head to toe. It designed in such a way that it could link together with other shields and form an impenetrable wall. Protection against arrows, swords, and spears. Hide behind God and let Him protect every area of your life.
Horn of salvation - this was a helmet worn by the general in the army. When they returned from battle, if he was wearing this helmet with the horn turned up it meant they had won the battle. We have victory in God.
Stronghold or High Tower (KJV) - the last line of defense. If the walls were breached to the fortress there was a high tower within those walls that the people could run into. Inside those walls was food, weapons and other supplies. Enough to wait out any attack. When everything else in life fails you, find shelter in God's high tower. Run to Him as David did and He will give you victory.
MT - Parable of wheat and tares
Why doesn't God destroy evil people? Because in the process innocent people may be hurt that could be saved. So we are allowed to live together for now but in the end God's perfect judgement will be passed down and no wickedness will be spared.
Parable of the treasure
Heaven and therefore our salvation is worth giving up everything we have and are in order to obtain that promise. Hold nothing back from God and He will hold nothing back from you.
Parable of the pearl - basically the same principle as the treasure.
Parable of the mustard seed
A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in nature but it produces one of the largest trees. A tree large enough for birds to nest in was considered a sign of prosperity in the OT. So what this is saying is that even though the number of people who will inherit the earth may have started small in Jesus day, that number will grow larger.
Parable of Yeast
Yeast grows dough from within. The kingdom of heaven does not grow from an external force. In other words, God doesn't use an army to force people to believe in Him but rather He uses the power of the Holy Spirit to help us to grow from the inside.
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Day 19
Gen 39:1-41:16; Matt 12:46-13:23; PS 17:1-15; PR 3:33-35
GE 39 - One thing I notice about this chapter is that it begins and ends with these words; "The Lord was with Joseph." Verse 2 and verse 23 are bookends on this chapter of Joseph's life. In between we see a man trying his hardest to live his life honorable before God and yet he gets thrown in prison. Sometimes the road to our dreams are paved with hardships but I think it's important to note that no matter how bad our situation seems at times, it doesn't mean that the Lord is not with us. Everything Joseph touched turned to gold, he was highly blessed. We don't always understand why bad things happen to good people but we lived in a sinful world and the devil doesn't want us to prosper. Hold onto your faith and know that the Lord is always with you.
GE 39 - One thing I notice about this chapter is that it begins and ends with these words; "The Lord was with Joseph." Verse 2 and verse 23 are bookends on this chapter of Joseph's life. In between we see a man trying his hardest to live his life honorable before God and yet he gets thrown in prison. Sometimes the road to our dreams are paved with hardships but I think it's important to note that no matter how bad our situation seems at times, it doesn't mean that the Lord is not with us. Everything Joseph touched turned to gold, he was highly blessed. We don't always understand why bad things happen to good people but we lived in a sinful world and the devil doesn't want us to prosper. Hold onto your faith and know that the Lord is always with you.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Day 18
Gen 37:1-38:30; Matt 12:22-45; PS 16:1-11; PR 3:27-32
MT 12:31-32 - The unforgivable sin...This is and has always been a big question on the heart of believers new and old. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? If you will allow me to, I'm going to get a little teachy here for a moment.
Blasphemy is a Greek word literally defined as "to speak harm." In the biblical context it is a disrespect toward the character of God. The sin of blasphemy is a forgivable sin. In fact Paul himself says that he was forgiven of that sin in 1 Timothy 1:13. However, the sin of blasphemy AGAINST the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. I think one very important thing to remember here is that it is the Holy Spirit that draws us to God and fills us with conviction when we sin. To commit the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to willinglyy and consciously reject God's saving grace despite being presented with all the proof of Jesus as our savior. It is not simply to say I don't believe but rather to say I believe but I refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit's convictions. As I say to people who worry about having committed this "unpardonable sin," it is impossible to have committed it and still be worried about it. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin and so if you are wanting to repent of the this sin, you have not committed it.
vs 33-37 We can sometimes have a misconception about ourselves. Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought "I look pretty good." But then you see a photo or video of yourself and the truth is revealed. I have, it's not fun. I'm going back to the gym soon. The same can be said for what we think of what our heart is really like. Have you ever thought you were a pretty good person but someone told you somethings you needed to work on in your life? It can hurt and be confusing sometimes. But what Jesus is saying here is a lesson we ALL need to take and apply to our lives, probably everyday. If you want to know what is in your heart, start listening to the words that come out of your mouth. Does it seem like problems follow you everywhere you go? What are you saying? Are you creating chaos? Are you creating discord among your friends, family and church family? Verse 36 tells us that we will be judged by God for EVERY idle word that comes out of our mouths. It also says that we will be justified or condemned by the words that we speak. Gives new meaning to the phrase "watch what you say" doesn't it?
That's it for today...
MT 12:31-32 - The unforgivable sin...This is and has always been a big question on the heart of believers new and old. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? If you will allow me to, I'm going to get a little teachy here for a moment.
Blasphemy is a Greek word literally defined as "to speak harm." In the biblical context it is a disrespect toward the character of God. The sin of blasphemy is a forgivable sin. In fact Paul himself says that he was forgiven of that sin in 1 Timothy 1:13. However, the sin of blasphemy AGAINST the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. I think one very important thing to remember here is that it is the Holy Spirit that draws us to God and fills us with conviction when we sin. To commit the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to willinglyy and consciously reject God's saving grace despite being presented with all the proof of Jesus as our savior. It is not simply to say I don't believe but rather to say I believe but I refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit's convictions. As I say to people who worry about having committed this "unpardonable sin," it is impossible to have committed it and still be worried about it. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin and so if you are wanting to repent of the this sin, you have not committed it.
vs 33-37 We can sometimes have a misconception about ourselves. Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought "I look pretty good." But then you see a photo or video of yourself and the truth is revealed. I have, it's not fun. I'm going back to the gym soon. The same can be said for what we think of what our heart is really like. Have you ever thought you were a pretty good person but someone told you somethings you needed to work on in your life? It can hurt and be confusing sometimes. But what Jesus is saying here is a lesson we ALL need to take and apply to our lives, probably everyday. If you want to know what is in your heart, start listening to the words that come out of your mouth. Does it seem like problems follow you everywhere you go? What are you saying? Are you creating chaos? Are you creating discord among your friends, family and church family? Verse 36 tells us that we will be judged by God for EVERY idle word that comes out of our mouths. It also says that we will be justified or condemned by the words that we speak. Gives new meaning to the phrase "watch what you say" doesn't it?
That's it for today...
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 17
GE 35-36; MT 12:1-21; PS 14; PR 3:19-20
MT 12:9-14 showed me several things. The Pharisees are out to get Jesus and they are doing everything they can to trap Him in disobeying their rules. I know, it sounds dumb to us now but I'm sure it made perfect sense to them back then. But hey, we can all be guilty of wanting God to play by our rules every now and then right? Well it didn't work out for them any better than it works for us now. Jesus makes it perfectly clear that the little box they want Him to fit in isn't really going to work for Him. His point was this...If there is somebody that is hurting and I can help them, I'm going to help them. I don't really care what you think about it or if it steps on your toes or you don't think I should be associating with those folks. I think we can learn so much from that example. To not get caught up in the rules of society but rather see people the way that He does. It's great to plan great acts of kindness but He also wants us to react to the needs as they present themselves. I think, if we are not careful we can get so distracted by serving Jesus in our planned and scheduled ministries that we fail to see the opportunities arise around us.
vs 13- I've always liked the image of this miracle. Here was a man with a withered hand. The description leads us to believe that it had been that way for some time, probably from birth. But when Jesus spoke to him he reached out his hand and it was made "as whole as the other." There was no rehab, no special treatments, an no follow-up visits. When Jesus speaks healing it is immediate, complete and whole. That's just awesome, I don't care who you are.
PR - When you read something like this I think you just need to take hope in that God knows...everything. We are surrounded by conspiracy theories and doomsday prophecies that can cause a lot of worry. But they don't mean anything when you realize that God created this world and nothing will destroy until He says it's time. Nothing happens without His knowledge. Take comfort and peace in that knowledge.
MT 12:9-14 showed me several things. The Pharisees are out to get Jesus and they are doing everything they can to trap Him in disobeying their rules. I know, it sounds dumb to us now but I'm sure it made perfect sense to them back then. But hey, we can all be guilty of wanting God to play by our rules every now and then right? Well it didn't work out for them any better than it works for us now. Jesus makes it perfectly clear that the little box they want Him to fit in isn't really going to work for Him. His point was this...If there is somebody that is hurting and I can help them, I'm going to help them. I don't really care what you think about it or if it steps on your toes or you don't think I should be associating with those folks. I think we can learn so much from that example. To not get caught up in the rules of society but rather see people the way that He does. It's great to plan great acts of kindness but He also wants us to react to the needs as they present themselves. I think, if we are not careful we can get so distracted by serving Jesus in our planned and scheduled ministries that we fail to see the opportunities arise around us.
vs 13- I've always liked the image of this miracle. Here was a man with a withered hand. The description leads us to believe that it had been that way for some time, probably from birth. But when Jesus spoke to him he reached out his hand and it was made "as whole as the other." There was no rehab, no special treatments, an no follow-up visits. When Jesus speaks healing it is immediate, complete and whole. That's just awesome, I don't care who you are.
PR - When you read something like this I think you just need to take hope in that God knows...everything. We are surrounded by conspiracy theories and doomsday prophecies that can cause a lot of worry. But they don't mean anything when you realize that God created this world and nothing will destroy until He says it's time. Nothing happens without His knowledge. Take comfort and peace in that knowledge.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Day 16
Gen 32:13-34:31; Matt 11:7-30; PS14:1-7; PR3:19-20
Jacob had to fight his whole life. He struggled with Esau coming out of the womb. He fought with Laban for his wife. Now he finds himself face to face wrestling with God Himself. Now this is one of those stories that is not clearly defined in the bible. Some think this "man" was God in human form. Some think it was Jesus and others that it was an angel. Regardless of who exactly there is no question that it was at the very least a representative of God. With that said it would have been easy for this "man" to defeat Jacob. However, he wrestled all night with Jacob. When you read about Jacob's life it's easy to see a life of deception in his youth, but then as he gets older you see God's blessing on his life. It makes you wonder what this "fight" is all about. I think Jacob was being forced to make a decision. Was he going to continue to take the easy way out or was he going to see this fight through to the end? In the middle of the night this "man" touches his hip and knocks it out of its socket but Jacob fights on. When morning comes the "man" begs to be let go but Jacob demands a blessing before he'll do it. The "man" asks Jacob's name. I think this was because names have such significance in the bible. Remember Jacob's name has a terrible meaning. He was a "supplanter or deceiver." Now he is given the name Israel or "Prince of God." At the end of it all Jacob comes out of this struggle with a new name and a limp. Here's what I get out of this. When God wants to change our lives a struggle ensues. Here's the deal, He could dominate this fight if He wanted to, but He chooses not to do that. In the end it's our choice to let God bless us. I think the name thing carries a lot of meaning because I think God wants us to be completely aware of who we are before he changes us. He may not change our names today, but He does want to change our identity. When you let God bless you and make you His own (prince or princess) you are no longer who you used to be but are a new person. Whatever you used to be called doesn't matter anymore because God has called you son or daughter. Finally, the limp. When God changes you, everyone should notice something different about you. Something should change in your physical presence. That doesn't mean we as Christians should walk around with canes and or develop a swagger. For some it means they lose the attitude they use to have. For others it's a habit or way of life. For some it's the language they use. The point is we walk away different.
GE 34 - Big brother payback OT style.
Jacob had to fight his whole life. He struggled with Esau coming out of the womb. He fought with Laban for his wife. Now he finds himself face to face wrestling with God Himself. Now this is one of those stories that is not clearly defined in the bible. Some think this "man" was God in human form. Some think it was Jesus and others that it was an angel. Regardless of who exactly there is no question that it was at the very least a representative of God. With that said it would have been easy for this "man" to defeat Jacob. However, he wrestled all night with Jacob. When you read about Jacob's life it's easy to see a life of deception in his youth, but then as he gets older you see God's blessing on his life. It makes you wonder what this "fight" is all about. I think Jacob was being forced to make a decision. Was he going to continue to take the easy way out or was he going to see this fight through to the end? In the middle of the night this "man" touches his hip and knocks it out of its socket but Jacob fights on. When morning comes the "man" begs to be let go but Jacob demands a blessing before he'll do it. The "man" asks Jacob's name. I think this was because names have such significance in the bible. Remember Jacob's name has a terrible meaning. He was a "supplanter or deceiver." Now he is given the name Israel or "Prince of God." At the end of it all Jacob comes out of this struggle with a new name and a limp. Here's what I get out of this. When God wants to change our lives a struggle ensues. Here's the deal, He could dominate this fight if He wanted to, but He chooses not to do that. In the end it's our choice to let God bless us. I think the name thing carries a lot of meaning because I think God wants us to be completely aware of who we are before he changes us. He may not change our names today, but He does want to change our identity. When you let God bless you and make you His own (prince or princess) you are no longer who you used to be but are a new person. Whatever you used to be called doesn't matter anymore because God has called you son or daughter. Finally, the limp. When God changes you, everyone should notice something different about you. Something should change in your physical presence. That doesn't mean we as Christians should walk around with canes and or develop a swagger. For some it means they lose the attitude they use to have. For others it's a habit or way of life. For some it's the language they use. The point is we walk away different.
GE 34 - Big brother payback OT style.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Day 15
GE 31:17-32:12, MT 10:27-11:6, PS 13, PR 3:16-18
Short and not very sweet today guys. God is burning it in my heart for us to draw closer to Him than ever before. These were the instructions to the disciples (us) as Jesus sent them out to minister. This is what is required of us. Read it carefully.
MT is a powerful passage of scripture. We have to take all that God has told us and let people know. God uses everything in our lives for the good of His message if we will allow Him to. Don't fear people or the devil, we've already established the devil has absolutly no power over us. He goes on to say the sparrows have almost no monetary value and yet nothing happens to them that God doesn't know about. Believe me God cares more about you than a bird...trust Him. VS 32-33 tells us that if we deny Him before man He will deny us as well. We can't be ashamed of Jesus and expect to sneak in the back door of heaven. You think that's a strong statement? Keep reading. It tells us that if we put anyone, even family, before what God is telling us in our lives...we are not worthy of Him. Life is not what YOU make of it. Life is what you allow GOD to make of it. If we are not willing to give up everything for Him why bother pretending to be a follower at all. Yes, it means denying ourselves...He told you that! So you're either in or your out, it's up to you!
Short and not very sweet today guys. God is burning it in my heart for us to draw closer to Him than ever before. These were the instructions to the disciples (us) as Jesus sent them out to minister. This is what is required of us. Read it carefully.
MT is a powerful passage of scripture. We have to take all that God has told us and let people know. God uses everything in our lives for the good of His message if we will allow Him to. Don't fear people or the devil, we've already established the devil has absolutly no power over us. He goes on to say the sparrows have almost no monetary value and yet nothing happens to them that God doesn't know about. Believe me God cares more about you than a bird...trust Him. VS 32-33 tells us that if we deny Him before man He will deny us as well. We can't be ashamed of Jesus and expect to sneak in the back door of heaven. You think that's a strong statement? Keep reading. It tells us that if we put anyone, even family, before what God is telling us in our lives...we are not worthy of Him. Life is not what YOU make of it. Life is what you allow GOD to make of it. If we are not willing to give up everything for Him why bother pretending to be a follower at all. Yes, it means denying ourselves...He told you that! So you're either in or your out, it's up to you!
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Friday, January 14, 2011
Day 14
GE 30-31:16; MT 10:1-26; PS 12; PR 3:13-15
GE 30:1-2: How often do we get upset with other or with ourselves over things in our lives that don't go the way we want them to. We really need to get to a place in our lives where we stop looking around at ourselves and others to place blame and instead begin to look up to God. It is Him that has answers to so many of life's questions. I can remember a few years ago, when Joy and I were trying to have another baby. We went months and nothing happened. I don't think we said too much to each other but I know we were both wondering what was wrong with us. Worry, discouragement, fear and any number of other emotions began to creep into my heart and then I read this verse. No I wasn't angry, but it served as a reminder that God is in control and He knows what he is doing. It's amazing how often we need to be reminded of that. I think God is trying to remind me to get my eyes off the things, people, situations around me and look to Him in everything.
This whole passage really shows that when you live your life for God, as Jacob was doing, there is nothing anyone can do to hurt you. Laban was trying everything possible to come out on the better end of their agreement but no matter what He did Jacob got blessed. We would be so much wiser to let God fight our battles for us. Again, just put your trust in Him and let Him be your provider and protector.
MT 10:16-20: This is another passage that shows the same point as above. This shows us again that we must simply do what God asks us to do and to be faithful in that. When we do that we can trust that He will take care of us. It says that He will send out and there will be those (wolves) out to harm us. So we must be smart to not put ourselves into bad situations (wise as serpents) but at the same time we must keep our integrity and not be sneaky and deceptive (harmless as doves.) As we follow these directions He tells us that we will be persecuted for our faith but not to worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. He truly is our advocate. We spend so much time defending and fighting for ourselves and we really don't win anything.
PS 12 - Let's just continue with the theme shall we? I love how this starts..."Help." That's what we are required to do. Ask God for help and do our best to live with integrity and righteousness. As we've been learning in Proverbs to ask for help and then ignore His counsel. This is what is known as a Psalm of Lament. That is a Psalm that cries out to God and follows a certain format. I thought I'd explain this because you will see a few of these as you read through Psalms. Here's what they normally look like:
GE 30:1-2: How often do we get upset with other or with ourselves over things in our lives that don't go the way we want them to. We really need to get to a place in our lives where we stop looking around at ourselves and others to place blame and instead begin to look up to God. It is Him that has answers to so many of life's questions. I can remember a few years ago, when Joy and I were trying to have another baby. We went months and nothing happened. I don't think we said too much to each other but I know we were both wondering what was wrong with us. Worry, discouragement, fear and any number of other emotions began to creep into my heart and then I read this verse. No I wasn't angry, but it served as a reminder that God is in control and He knows what he is doing. It's amazing how often we need to be reminded of that. I think God is trying to remind me to get my eyes off the things, people, situations around me and look to Him in everything.
This whole passage really shows that when you live your life for God, as Jacob was doing, there is nothing anyone can do to hurt you. Laban was trying everything possible to come out on the better end of their agreement but no matter what He did Jacob got blessed. We would be so much wiser to let God fight our battles for us. Again, just put your trust in Him and let Him be your provider and protector.
MT 10:16-20: This is another passage that shows the same point as above. This shows us again that we must simply do what God asks us to do and to be faithful in that. When we do that we can trust that He will take care of us. It says that He will send out and there will be those (wolves) out to harm us. So we must be smart to not put ourselves into bad situations (wise as serpents) but at the same time we must keep our integrity and not be sneaky and deceptive (harmless as doves.) As we follow these directions He tells us that we will be persecuted for our faith but not to worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. He truly is our advocate. We spend so much time defending and fighting for ourselves and we really don't win anything.
PS 12 - Let's just continue with the theme shall we? I love how this starts..."Help." That's what we are required to do. Ask God for help and do our best to live with integrity and righteousness. As we've been learning in Proverbs to ask for help and then ignore His counsel. This is what is known as a Psalm of Lament. That is a Psalm that cries out to God and follows a certain format. I thought I'd explain this because you will see a few of these as you read through Psalms. Here's what they normally look like:
1. An initial cry out to God
2. The lament itself
"I am hurting"
"You do not care"
"The enemy is winning"
3. A confession of trust
4. Reasons for God to act
5. Requests
"Hear me"
"Save me"
"Punish them"
6. A vow to praise God
The reason I wanted to show this is because this is a model of a godly response to suffering. The Lord does not expect us to remain passive when we face suffering. We can pour out our souls to the Lord. However in the middle of our cry, we must remember God’s loving care for us in the past so we can willingly trust Him with the future. As we remember, it gives us cause to praise Him not only for what has happened but for what will happen.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Day 13
I just wanted to say that I'm so excited about how God is speaking to different people through His word. I know there are many who don't want to comment and that's okay. I do want to encourage you to click on the "FOLLOW" to the right of the screen though. This will allow everyone to see who is with them on this journey through the bible. You don't have to talk and I won't send you crazy messages, I just really want people to know they aren't alone on this trip. So press the button...come on.....click it. Thanks everyone.
GE 28-29; MT 9:18-38; PS 11; PR 3:11-12
GE 29 - Talk about your love at first sight stories. The first time Jacob sees Rachel he kisses her and then starts to cry. That's quite a first impression he must have made on her. But really, you have to remember how his mom and dad met. Remember when Abraham's servant went out and prayed and as soon as he arrived he found the right woman. Well I'm sure Jacob had heard that story a couple times and now here he is looking for a wife in a certain town at a certain time from a certain family and BOOM there she is. So with that said I believe the weeping was out of thankfulness to God. But it really is quite a love story. He is so taken by her that he agrees to work for 7 years to earn her hand in marriage. Then it says that he was so in love with her it was like only a few days. Finally the 7 years is up and he asks for her hand in marriage and Laban pulls a fast one on Jacob and switches daughters. The custom at the time was for them to head into the bridal chamber that night, so it was presumably dark and the bride wore a veil until it was time to consummate the marriage so Jacob had no idea what was going on until the light of day showed that he had just married the wrong girl. He is understandably upset and still in love with Rachel so he agrees to work another 7 years for his true love but out of obligation he stays married to Leah as well. In case your wondering what the whole "give Leah her week" thing is about. The marriage celebration lasted for a whole week not just one day. So Laban was saying let the people celebrate Leah's marriage and then I'll let you marry my other daughter. This chapter and chapters to come are the very definition of "what goes around, comes around." Jacob deceived his brother, Laban deceives Jacob, and in just a minute you are going to see Laban get his. What you sow, you shall surely reap.
PS 11 - You kind of have to read the first verse and the last verse of this Psalm to really see what David is saying. "(1) In the Lord I put my trust...(7) For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright." No matter what happens in between, He is going to trust God because God is righteous.
PR - Don't get mad at God when He corrects you. He is only doing it because He loves you. I really believe it hurts Him more than it hurts you.
MT - Great stories of faith in these verses today:
1. The man with a dead daughter. - Amazing faith just to ask Jesus to come. How many things have you ever given up on because it looked dead and gone to you?
2. Woman with the issue of blood. - All she wanted was to touch his clothes. Her faith didn't need a big dramatic encounter with Jesus. She just needed to be close enough to touch Him. I think sometimes we get distracted and discouraged when we don't see the "mighty" moves of God. We want to hear God with some big booming voice. But sometimes I think we need to take comfort and have faith in those times when we don't necessarily hear Him talking but we can feel him close enough to touch.
3. The two blind men. - "do you believe I can do this?" Jesus was like a polygraph machine. It wasn't enough for the two men to ask Jesus to heal them, He wanted to know if they really believed that He could. See it wasn't simply His touch that healed them. Jesus made it very clear, it was their faith in Him that healed them. A lack of faith is like spiritual kryptonite. God won't move where there is a lack of faith in our lives.
vs. 35 - He healed EVERY sickness and EVERY disease.
vs 36 - He was moved with compassion not because of their physical state but with their spiritual state. They were ready, hungry but no one was there to lead them. They were ripe for the picking but no one there to harvest. How often are we surrounded by people who are ready to be lead to Christ and we are not available to help? We are the laborers Jesus was praying for.
GE 28-29; MT 9:18-38; PS 11; PR 3:11-12
GE 29 - Talk about your love at first sight stories. The first time Jacob sees Rachel he kisses her and then starts to cry. That's quite a first impression he must have made on her. But really, you have to remember how his mom and dad met. Remember when Abraham's servant went out and prayed and as soon as he arrived he found the right woman. Well I'm sure Jacob had heard that story a couple times and now here he is looking for a wife in a certain town at a certain time from a certain family and BOOM there she is. So with that said I believe the weeping was out of thankfulness to God. But it really is quite a love story. He is so taken by her that he agrees to work for 7 years to earn her hand in marriage. Then it says that he was so in love with her it was like only a few days. Finally the 7 years is up and he asks for her hand in marriage and Laban pulls a fast one on Jacob and switches daughters. The custom at the time was for them to head into the bridal chamber that night, so it was presumably dark and the bride wore a veil until it was time to consummate the marriage so Jacob had no idea what was going on until the light of day showed that he had just married the wrong girl. He is understandably upset and still in love with Rachel so he agrees to work another 7 years for his true love but out of obligation he stays married to Leah as well. In case your wondering what the whole "give Leah her week" thing is about. The marriage celebration lasted for a whole week not just one day. So Laban was saying let the people celebrate Leah's marriage and then I'll let you marry my other daughter. This chapter and chapters to come are the very definition of "what goes around, comes around." Jacob deceived his brother, Laban deceives Jacob, and in just a minute you are going to see Laban get his. What you sow, you shall surely reap.
PS 11 - You kind of have to read the first verse and the last verse of this Psalm to really see what David is saying. "(1) In the Lord I put my trust...(7) For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright." No matter what happens in between, He is going to trust God because God is righteous.
PR - Don't get mad at God when He corrects you. He is only doing it because He loves you. I really believe it hurts Him more than it hurts you.
MT - Great stories of faith in these verses today:
1. The man with a dead daughter. - Amazing faith just to ask Jesus to come. How many things have you ever given up on because it looked dead and gone to you?
2. Woman with the issue of blood. - All she wanted was to touch his clothes. Her faith didn't need a big dramatic encounter with Jesus. She just needed to be close enough to touch Him. I think sometimes we get distracted and discouraged when we don't see the "mighty" moves of God. We want to hear God with some big booming voice. But sometimes I think we need to take comfort and have faith in those times when we don't necessarily hear Him talking but we can feel him close enough to touch.
3. The two blind men. - "do you believe I can do this?" Jesus was like a polygraph machine. It wasn't enough for the two men to ask Jesus to heal them, He wanted to know if they really believed that He could. See it wasn't simply His touch that healed them. Jesus made it very clear, it was their faith in Him that healed them. A lack of faith is like spiritual kryptonite. God won't move where there is a lack of faith in our lives.
vs. 35 - He healed EVERY sickness and EVERY disease.
vs 36 - He was moved with compassion not because of their physical state but with their spiritual state. They were ready, hungry but no one was there to lead them. They were ripe for the picking but no one there to harvest. How often are we surrounded by people who are ready to be lead to Christ and we are not available to help? We are the laborers Jesus was praying for.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Day 12
GE 26:17-27:46; MT 9:1-7; PS 10:6-18; PR 3:9-10
I always find it interesting how they name everything when something happens. In Genesis they dig a well get in fight and name the place "Esek" = Quarrel. Dig another well, get in a dispute and call it "Sitnah" = Enmity. Dig another well, everything goes good so they call it "Rehoboth" = Spaciousness. I don't know why, I just find the names interesting.
vs 26-31: This is a great passage of scripture that truly demonstrates the idea that if God be for us than who can stand against us. Here these guys are causing all these problems then one day they show up and want to make peace. Why? Verse 28 "We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you..." They realized they better make peace because if anything were to really go down they were going to be on the wrong side of the fight. Be patient and loving and peaceful in all that you do and let God work on the hearts of your enemies.
vs. 34-35: It wasn't just the fact that Esau took two wives but it was the women themselves that caused the grief. Every parent wants the best for their kids right? Well these women weren't the best. They came from a tribe of people who were idol worshippers and Isaac and Rebekah knew that they would be a bad influence on their already straying son.
Ch. 27 just made me think about what we are capable and willing to do to get ahead in life. Are we willing to lie, cheat and steal? What about pretending to be something or someone we aren't? We see it spelled out on the pages and think what a horrible person this guy is, but really how often have we done the same thing. Could you imagine reading your life in a book? There are probably some chapters and stories we would rather didn't get told. Yet one day they will. And all these things are done for temporary gain. God help us!
PR - I like the way this is worded. "Honor the Lord with your possessions." We always talk about the command to give and tithe. Which it has been said that we are to tithe from our 1st fruits but what if we stopped looking at the "command" and started looking at what it really is...giving honor to God. I can give because I'm told I have to or I can give because I want to honor my God. When we do this, we will have all we ever need.
MT vs 12-13: Jesus spent time with those who needed Him the most. This is why we have to take the church outside of our walls and go to where the people are hurting and most in need.
vs 14-17: I'm still studying these but it may be later tonight before I get to them.
I always find it interesting how they name everything when something happens. In Genesis they dig a well get in fight and name the place "Esek" = Quarrel. Dig another well, get in a dispute and call it "Sitnah" = Enmity. Dig another well, everything goes good so they call it "Rehoboth" = Spaciousness. I don't know why, I just find the names interesting.
vs 26-31: This is a great passage of scripture that truly demonstrates the idea that if God be for us than who can stand against us. Here these guys are causing all these problems then one day they show up and want to make peace. Why? Verse 28 "We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you..." They realized they better make peace because if anything were to really go down they were going to be on the wrong side of the fight. Be patient and loving and peaceful in all that you do and let God work on the hearts of your enemies.
vs. 34-35: It wasn't just the fact that Esau took two wives but it was the women themselves that caused the grief. Every parent wants the best for their kids right? Well these women weren't the best. They came from a tribe of people who were idol worshippers and Isaac and Rebekah knew that they would be a bad influence on their already straying son.
Ch. 27 just made me think about what we are capable and willing to do to get ahead in life. Are we willing to lie, cheat and steal? What about pretending to be something or someone we aren't? We see it spelled out on the pages and think what a horrible person this guy is, but really how often have we done the same thing. Could you imagine reading your life in a book? There are probably some chapters and stories we would rather didn't get told. Yet one day they will. And all these things are done for temporary gain. God help us!
PR - I like the way this is worded. "Honor the Lord with your possessions." We always talk about the command to give and tithe. Which it has been said that we are to tithe from our 1st fruits but what if we stopped looking at the "command" and started looking at what it really is...giving honor to God. I can give because I'm told I have to or I can give because I want to honor my God. When we do this, we will have all we ever need.
MT vs 12-13: Jesus spent time with those who needed Him the most. This is why we have to take the church outside of our walls and go to where the people are hurting and most in need.
vs 14-17: I'm still studying these but it may be later tonight before I get to them.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day 11
Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to welcome my dad as the newest follower to our little discussion group.
Gen. 24:52-26:16; Matt. 8:18-34; Ps.10:1-5; Prov. 3:7-8
Psalm: You get the distinction impression that the bottom is going to fall out for this "wicked man." You can see where David sincerely believes these people are so blind to their wrongs. It sometimes looks as though they are prospering in their wickedness, and for a season they are, but in reality their judgement will come in God's time.
Proverbs: Stop wanting to be right all the time. There is a word for that...PRIDE! For some reason we think we can outsmart God don't we. Come on, be honest. We find perfectly logical reasons to act the way we want to so we feel better about ourselves. Heck, sometimes we can even find a verse or two we can take out of context to sound really spiritual. Give Him the honor and respect due Him as your Lord and leave your sinful ways completely behind you.
Matt. 8:18-23: Have you fully counted the cost to follow Jesus? He is asking for everything. What are you willing to give up? It's not always going to be comfortable. You won't always be able to do what you want. Notice Jesus doesn't promise fame or fortune in return for their sacrifice? Just the sacrifice, just what it's going to cost them. We don't follow Christ for the reward, but rather for our own lives.
Matt 8:28-34: This is an amazing story. Jesus comes down the road and two demon possessed men jump out and won't let them pass. That is until they see Jesus. Then they start backing up a little bit. "Uh...hey Jesus. Listen we don't have a problem here with you." They immediately resign themselves to the fact that they are going to be cast out of these men. That's cool enough right there. There is no fight in the demon when they see Jesus, they already know it's over. All they have left to do is negotiate an agreement for their release. Instead of being cast away completely the ask for permission to enter the nearby herd of pigs. The folks there watching run to town and tell everyone what just happened. Now look at the reaction in the last verse. Were they excited Jesus had set these men free? Nope, they begged Him to leave town. Those pigs were someone's way of life. Their career. He was upsetting their way of life. How many times do we do the same thing. Jesus comes to do something miraculous in our lives and we ask Him to leave because that might disrupt our lives too much. God open our eyes to what you want to do and help us not to turn you away.
Gen. 24:52-26:16; Matt. 8:18-34; Ps.10:1-5; Prov. 3:7-8
Psalm: You get the distinction impression that the bottom is going to fall out for this "wicked man." You can see where David sincerely believes these people are so blind to their wrongs. It sometimes looks as though they are prospering in their wickedness, and for a season they are, but in reality their judgement will come in God's time.
Proverbs: Stop wanting to be right all the time. There is a word for that...PRIDE! For some reason we think we can outsmart God don't we. Come on, be honest. We find perfectly logical reasons to act the way we want to so we feel better about ourselves. Heck, sometimes we can even find a verse or two we can take out of context to sound really spiritual. Give Him the honor and respect due Him as your Lord and leave your sinful ways completely behind you.
Matt. 8:18-23: Have you fully counted the cost to follow Jesus? He is asking for everything. What are you willing to give up? It's not always going to be comfortable. You won't always be able to do what you want. Notice Jesus doesn't promise fame or fortune in return for their sacrifice? Just the sacrifice, just what it's going to cost them. We don't follow Christ for the reward, but rather for our own lives.
Matt 8:28-34: This is an amazing story. Jesus comes down the road and two demon possessed men jump out and won't let them pass. That is until they see Jesus. Then they start backing up a little bit. "Uh...hey Jesus. Listen we don't have a problem here with you." They immediately resign themselves to the fact that they are going to be cast out of these men. That's cool enough right there. There is no fight in the demon when they see Jesus, they already know it's over. All they have left to do is negotiate an agreement for their release. Instead of being cast away completely the ask for permission to enter the nearby herd of pigs. The folks there watching run to town and tell everyone what just happened. Now look at the reaction in the last verse. Were they excited Jesus had set these men free? Nope, they begged Him to leave town. Those pigs were someone's way of life. Their career. He was upsetting their way of life. How many times do we do the same thing. Jesus comes to do something miraculous in our lives and we ask Him to leave because that might disrupt our lives too much. God open our eyes to what you want to do and help us not to turn you away.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Day 10
Genesis 23:1-24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6
Snow is on the ground, it's day ten of our journey through the bible and day one of a 21 day fast at FWO. God isn't just good...He's awesome. Let's go!!
Matthew 8:1 - To me this speaks of what faith should look like in all of us. The leper comes to Jesus and says, "Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean." The wording of this statement is so important. He didn't just come to Jesus and say, "you can make me clean." See many of us come to Jesus with an expectation of great things and then lose our faith if it doesn't work out the way we had planned or hoped. The fact that he preceded this statement with, "Lord if you are willing" implies that even if Jesus didn't heal him he was still going to believe in Him as Lord. We all need to get to that place in our lives where we can say "Lord this is what I am believing for, but in your greater wisdom, discernment and timing I yield myself to your will and no matter what happens You are still my Lord."
Vs 12 - "the sons of the kingdom" refers to those Jewish people who would not believe that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. In the preceding verse Jesus is amazed by the faith of this centurion. A man born outside of the Jewish race. A Gentile. In essence a heathen, and yet he has this great faith in Jesus. The point that Jesus is making is that the Jewish people looked down on this man and thought of him as lost because he was born a Gentile. But in reality, those that were born Jews, God's chosen people, would also be destined for an eternity in hell if they did not put their faith in Jesus Christ. Even as "sons of the kingdom" they needed to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It's the same today, your mom or dad being a Christian is not a get into heaven free card. We all need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 3:1-6
What jumped out to me today was how everything we are instructed to do, we are told to do it with our hearts not our heads.
vs 1 - "let your heart keep my commands"
vs 3 - "tablet of your heart"
vs 5 - "Trust...with all your heart"
We have to get out of our minds for God. Notice in verse 1 it says "do not forget my law." Where do we forget things? In our minds. It's so easy for us to be shallow with God and think everything is okay. We can get into the routine of keeping a surface relationship with Him where we just simply go to church, read occasionally, etc. but nothing ever moves past our minds and penetrates our hearts. How do we combat this? Verse one continues "let your heart" not your minds "keep my commands." Same in verse 5. We are to trust God with our heart, and not lean on our own understanding when we look at the situations around us. It doesn't matter what we see with our eyes and process with our minds, we must allow the truth of God in our hearts to steer us through everything in life.
Psalm 9:20 - loved verse 20 and how the cry goes out that "the nations would know themselves to be but men." When we realize that we are "but men" we will realize our need for God.
Genesis - This is the end of Abraham's life and the beginning of the story of Isaac finding a wife. It also marks one of the craziest oaths I've ever seen in the bible. There are a lot of odd things done to make an oath in the bible but this one takes the cake. I don't know why I've never seen it before but Abraham calls in his servant and says; "Please, put your hand under my thigh..." Now that's an oath!!
Thought it was kind of interesting so I looked into it a little more and thought I'd share my findings with you. Basically, it goes back to the covenant made with God through circumcision. They would place their hand on the mark of circumcision and the basic meaning of the oath was like saying: "As the Lord God is unchangeable in all His ways and in His promises, so also will I be in the task which I have sworn to you." Thankfully, in the NT we have "let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no."
Snow is on the ground, it's day ten of our journey through the bible and day one of a 21 day fast at FWO. God isn't just good...He's awesome. Let's go!!
Matthew 8:1 - To me this speaks of what faith should look like in all of us. The leper comes to Jesus and says, "Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean." The wording of this statement is so important. He didn't just come to Jesus and say, "you can make me clean." See many of us come to Jesus with an expectation of great things and then lose our faith if it doesn't work out the way we had planned or hoped. The fact that he preceded this statement with, "Lord if you are willing" implies that even if Jesus didn't heal him he was still going to believe in Him as Lord. We all need to get to that place in our lives where we can say "Lord this is what I am believing for, but in your greater wisdom, discernment and timing I yield myself to your will and no matter what happens You are still my Lord."
Vs 12 - "the sons of the kingdom" refers to those Jewish people who would not believe that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. In the preceding verse Jesus is amazed by the faith of this centurion. A man born outside of the Jewish race. A Gentile. In essence a heathen, and yet he has this great faith in Jesus. The point that Jesus is making is that the Jewish people looked down on this man and thought of him as lost because he was born a Gentile. But in reality, those that were born Jews, God's chosen people, would also be destined for an eternity in hell if they did not put their faith in Jesus Christ. Even as "sons of the kingdom" they needed to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It's the same today, your mom or dad being a Christian is not a get into heaven free card. We all need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 3:1-6
What jumped out to me today was how everything we are instructed to do, we are told to do it with our hearts not our heads.
vs 1 - "let your heart keep my commands"
vs 3 - "tablet of your heart"
vs 5 - "Trust...with all your heart"
We have to get out of our minds for God. Notice in verse 1 it says "do not forget my law." Where do we forget things? In our minds. It's so easy for us to be shallow with God and think everything is okay. We can get into the routine of keeping a surface relationship with Him where we just simply go to church, read occasionally, etc. but nothing ever moves past our minds and penetrates our hearts. How do we combat this? Verse one continues "let your heart" not your minds "keep my commands." Same in verse 5. We are to trust God with our heart, and not lean on our own understanding when we look at the situations around us. It doesn't matter what we see with our eyes and process with our minds, we must allow the truth of God in our hearts to steer us through everything in life.
Psalm 9:20 - loved verse 20 and how the cry goes out that "the nations would know themselves to be but men." When we realize that we are "but men" we will realize our need for God.
Genesis - This is the end of Abraham's life and the beginning of the story of Isaac finding a wife. It also marks one of the craziest oaths I've ever seen in the bible. There are a lot of odd things done to make an oath in the bible but this one takes the cake. I don't know why I've never seen it before but Abraham calls in his servant and says; "Please, put your hand under my thigh..." Now that's an oath!!
Thought it was kind of interesting so I looked into it a little more and thought I'd share my findings with you. Basically, it goes back to the covenant made with God through circumcision. They would place their hand on the mark of circumcision and the basic meaning of the oath was like saying: "As the Lord God is unchangeable in all His ways and in His promises, so also will I be in the task which I have sworn to you." Thankfully, in the NT we have "let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Day 9
Gen. 20-22, Matt. 7:15-29, Psalm 9:1-12, Prov. 2:16-22
Remember how I said Abraham didn't always display that faith that made him the "father of our faith?" Well, here we are again and he's telling someone else that his wife is his sister because he is afraid of what might happen if he doesn't. By doing so, once again he put someone else (Abimelech) at risk of sinning greatly. God spares the king because of his innocence and when confronted about it, Abraham goes to justifying his actions. I have a little saying I use when people start justifying their actions to me. "If you have to justify it, you already know it's wrong." All you are doing when you try to justify your actions is convince everyone around you that you aren't nearly as bad as it seems. "There is a reason I don't like that person." "Here's why I think it's okay to act this way." "It's okay for me to get divorced because...." Hang with me in reading through the bible and we are going to see God sees through our excuses and into our hearts. Scary!
By the way Sarah was believed to be Abraham's half-sister which at the time was a some what common practice to marry in order to keep the family lineage close. It wasn't until later that those types of close relational marriages were prohibited.
Sarah concieves and has a son. They name him Isaac. Why? His name means "he laughs." Which is what Abraham and Sarah both did when God said they would have a son at such a late age.
Side note for you here. This is where I got the name for my son. I was reading this one day while Joy was pregnant. I'm not even sure if we knew we were having a boy yet. But I read this and thought, "what a great name." If any of you know my son, you know he lives up to this name. He is one of the goofiest kids I've ever met and he loves to laugh and make me laugh. There really is something to a name.
Chapter 22 - Now we see the true faith of Abraham come out. All you parents out there, read this again. Could you do this? Talk about a last minute intervention. Abraham has his son tied laying on the altar and the knife over his head before God intervenes. We are all willing to be tested by God...to a point. But where is the line that you cross before you say, "that's it God, no more?" Abraham traveled for three days just to get to where God was leading them to build the altar. He had three days to think about this. What conversation do you have with your son while you are traveling? What do you think about? Are you looking behind every rock and bush for some sort of deliverance? Yet, nothing came. They just kept walking. All the way to the place, all the way up the hill, all the way to the point of near death. THEN, God shows his provision. This is what it takes to have the faith of Abraham. Being willing to go...until God shows Himself. We give up too soon sometimes I believe. We have great faith in the beginning but when things start to get rough we start taking back control of the situation. Soon we have completly strayed from the path and never arrive at the point of God's salvation. Stay with God's plan, see it all the way through. There will be provision at the place of His choosing.
Matthew - We need to not get caught up in the carisma of man. We can't become followers of someone's teaching just because they have a great delivery, they look good and it sounds good to our ears. Jesus is telling us in this passage you need to look at the whole package and to weigh it against the word of God. Fruits here includes their actions and their words. Do they practice what they preach? Are they living a godly lifestyle? What is their language like outside the pulpit? Do they become a different person on stage then they are off stage? Don't get caught up in the public character but dig into their private character.
21-23 - We all know about God, but do you really know Him. I coined a phrase a couple years ago in a message I preached on this passage. "God-stalkers" If we are not careful that's what we become. We read His word, we go to His house, we talk about Him a lot to other people, but we never really know Him. Just like people can talk about their favorite celebrity. They feel like they know them becuase they have observed them on screen, through magazines, etc... Let's be honest though, if they went up to them on the street, that celebrity will look at them and say, "I don't know you." The same will be said of us if we never persue a true relationship with God. He is not some far off being that is unaccessible. He's right there waiting for us to truely get to know Him.
24-27 - Notice both men heard the words of Jesus? The only difference was the wise man acted on them and foolish man did not. The foundation of our lives is not simply hearing the word of God, but rather doing the word of God. Act out your faith.
Proverbs 2:16 - This kind of goes along with the passage from Matthew. Notice what the "seductress" uses? She "flatters with her words." Again, we have to start looking past the words of man and look into their hearts. This is why Proverbs encourages us to pray for wisdom and discernment. We need that discernment in our lives everyday.
Remember how I said Abraham didn't always display that faith that made him the "father of our faith?" Well, here we are again and he's telling someone else that his wife is his sister because he is afraid of what might happen if he doesn't. By doing so, once again he put someone else (Abimelech) at risk of sinning greatly. God spares the king because of his innocence and when confronted about it, Abraham goes to justifying his actions. I have a little saying I use when people start justifying their actions to me. "If you have to justify it, you already know it's wrong." All you are doing when you try to justify your actions is convince everyone around you that you aren't nearly as bad as it seems. "There is a reason I don't like that person." "Here's why I think it's okay to act this way." "It's okay for me to get divorced because...." Hang with me in reading through the bible and we are going to see God sees through our excuses and into our hearts. Scary!
By the way Sarah was believed to be Abraham's half-sister which at the time was a some what common practice to marry in order to keep the family lineage close. It wasn't until later that those types of close relational marriages were prohibited.
Sarah concieves and has a son. They name him Isaac. Why? His name means "he laughs." Which is what Abraham and Sarah both did when God said they would have a son at such a late age.
Side note for you here. This is where I got the name for my son. I was reading this one day while Joy was pregnant. I'm not even sure if we knew we were having a boy yet. But I read this and thought, "what a great name." If any of you know my son, you know he lives up to this name. He is one of the goofiest kids I've ever met and he loves to laugh and make me laugh. There really is something to a name.
Chapter 22 - Now we see the true faith of Abraham come out. All you parents out there, read this again. Could you do this? Talk about a last minute intervention. Abraham has his son tied laying on the altar and the knife over his head before God intervenes. We are all willing to be tested by God...to a point. But where is the line that you cross before you say, "that's it God, no more?" Abraham traveled for three days just to get to where God was leading them to build the altar. He had three days to think about this. What conversation do you have with your son while you are traveling? What do you think about? Are you looking behind every rock and bush for some sort of deliverance? Yet, nothing came. They just kept walking. All the way to the place, all the way up the hill, all the way to the point of near death. THEN, God shows his provision. This is what it takes to have the faith of Abraham. Being willing to go...until God shows Himself. We give up too soon sometimes I believe. We have great faith in the beginning but when things start to get rough we start taking back control of the situation. Soon we have completly strayed from the path and never arrive at the point of God's salvation. Stay with God's plan, see it all the way through. There will be provision at the place of His choosing.
Matthew - We need to not get caught up in the carisma of man. We can't become followers of someone's teaching just because they have a great delivery, they look good and it sounds good to our ears. Jesus is telling us in this passage you need to look at the whole package and to weigh it against the word of God. Fruits here includes their actions and their words. Do they practice what they preach? Are they living a godly lifestyle? What is their language like outside the pulpit? Do they become a different person on stage then they are off stage? Don't get caught up in the public character but dig into their private character.
21-23 - We all know about God, but do you really know Him. I coined a phrase a couple years ago in a message I preached on this passage. "God-stalkers" If we are not careful that's what we become. We read His word, we go to His house, we talk about Him a lot to other people, but we never really know Him. Just like people can talk about their favorite celebrity. They feel like they know them becuase they have observed them on screen, through magazines, etc... Let's be honest though, if they went up to them on the street, that celebrity will look at them and say, "I don't know you." The same will be said of us if we never persue a true relationship with God. He is not some far off being that is unaccessible. He's right there waiting for us to truely get to know Him.
24-27 - Notice both men heard the words of Jesus? The only difference was the wise man acted on them and foolish man did not. The foundation of our lives is not simply hearing the word of God, but rather doing the word of God. Act out your faith.
Proverbs 2:16 - This kind of goes along with the passage from Matthew. Notice what the "seductress" uses? She "flatters with her words." Again, we have to start looking past the words of man and look into their hearts. This is why Proverbs encourages us to pray for wisdom and discernment. We need that discernment in our lives everyday.
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