A Deadly Weapon
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Posted:Mar 2, 2015 4:19 am
Last Updated:Mar 3, 2015 2:53 am 19306 Views
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Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; . . . they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Read: Nehemiah 4:1-10
Bible in a Year: Numbers 26-27; Mark 8:1-21
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali used several ring tactics to defeat his opponents; one tactic was taunting. In his fight with George Foreman in 1974, Ali taunted Foreman, Hit harder! Show me something, George. That don't hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad.Fuming, Foreman punched away furiously, wasting his energy and weakening his confidence.
It's an old tactic. By referring to Nehemia's efforts at rebuilding the broken wall of Jerusalem as nothing more than a fox's playground
(Neh. 4:3), Tobiah intended to weaken the workers with poisonous words of discouragement. Goliath tried it on David by despising the boy's simple weapons of a sling and stones
(1 Sam. 17:41-44).
A discouraging remark can be a deadly weapon. Nehemiah refused to surrender to Tobiah's discouragements, just as David rejected Goliath's diabolical teasing. Focusing on God and His help rather than on their discouraging situations, David and Nehemiah both achieved victory.
Taunting can come from anybody, including those who are close to us. Responding to them negatively only saps our energy. But God encourages us through His promises: He will never forsake us
(Ps. 9:10; Heb. 13:5), and He invites us to rely on His help
(Heb. 4:16).
Lord, it's easy to let discouragement sap my energy
and joy. Help me to reject all agents of
discouragement in my life and to trust in You for comfort and strength.
If you're in a tunnel of discouragement, keep walking toward the Light.
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A Consistent Life
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Posted:Feb 27, 2015 1:38 am
Last Updated:Feb 28, 2015 2:57 am 19531 Views
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He knelt down on his knees . . . and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10
Read: Daniel 6:1-10
Bible in a Year: Numbers 17-19; Mark 6:30-56
While studying the book of Daniel, I was struck by how easily he could have avoided being thrown into the den of lions. Daniel's jealous rivals in the government of Babylon laid a trap based on his consistent practice of daily prayer to God (Dan. 6:1-9). Daniel was fully aware of their plot and could have decided to pray privately for a month until things settled down. But that was not the kind of person he was.
When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days (v.10). Daniel did not panic, nor bargain with God. Instead, he continued just as he had done before
(v.10 niv). He was not intimidated by the pressure of persecution.
The lesson for me was the power of Daniel's
life of consistent devotion to the Lord. His strength came from God, whom Daniel wanted to please every day. When a crisis came, Daniel didn't need to change his daily practice to meet it. He simply stayed committed to his God.
Father, I want to stand for You when persecution
comes as Daniel did. Give me that same bold
commitment to pray and not to be ashamed of
knowing You. Help me to live my faith publicly.
God empowers us to stand for Him as we bow to pray.
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Changed Perspective
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Posted:Feb 26, 2015 3:10 am
Last Updated:Feb 26, 2015 3:11 am 19724 Views
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Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. cts 17.16
Read: Acts 17:16-23
Bible in a Year: Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29
As an early riser, my wife enjoys the quiet moments before the house wakes up and uses it to read the Bible and pray. Recently she settled into her favorite chair, only to be confronted by a rather messy couch left there by someone watching a football game the night before. The mess distracted her at first, and her frustration with me interrupted the warmth of the moment.
Then a thought hit her, and she moved to the couch. From there, she could look out our front windows to the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. The beauty of the scene God painted that morning changed her perspective.
As she told me the story, we both recognized the lesson of the morning. While we can't always control the things of life that impact our day, we do have a choice. We can continue to brood over the mess, or we can change our perspective. When Paul was in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols (Acts 17.16 . But when he changed his perspective, he used their interest in religion as an opportunity to proclaim the true God, Jesus Christ vv.22-23.
As my wife left for work, it was time for someone else to change his perspective for me to let the Lord help me to see my messes through her eyes and His.
Dear Lord, grant us the wisdom to change
our perspective rather than linger over messes.
Help us to see and fix the messes
we make for others.
Wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective.
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His Choice
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Posted:Feb 25, 2015 5:14 am
Last Updated:Feb 25, 2015 5:16 am 19664 Views
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God from the beginning chose you for salvation.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Bible in a Year: Numbers 12-14;
Mark 5:21-43
When our were small, I often prayed with them after we tucked them into bed. But before I prayed, I sometimes would sit on the edge of the bed and talk with them. I remember telling our Libby, If I could line up all the 4-year-old girls in the world, I would walk down the line looking for you. After going through the entire line, I would choose you to be my . That always put a big smile on Libby's face because she knew she was special.
If that was a smile-worthy moment for her, think of the grace-filled fact that the Creator-God of the universe from the beginning chose you for salvation 2 Thess. 2:13. Before time began, He desired to make you His own. This is why Scripture often uses the picture of adoption to communicate the amazing reality that, through no merit or worthiness of our own, we have been chosen by Him.
This is stunning news! We are beloved by the Lord v.13 and enjoy the benefits of being part of His family. This glorious truth should fill our lives with humility and gratitude. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us . . . establish you in every good word and work vv.16-17.
I will be forever grateful that I am Your ,
Father, and that You love me! Teach me to remember
all the benefits of belonging to You, and may I
serve You faithfully as part of Your family.
It's God's choice to love you and to make you part of His family.
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Longing For Rescue
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Posted:Feb 24, 2015 4:25 am
Last Updated:Feb 24, 2015 4:28 am 19729 Views
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She will bring forth a , and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
Bible in a Year: Numbers 9-11; Mark 5:1-20
The movie Man of Steel, released in 2013, is a fresh imagining of the Superman story. Filled with breathtaking special effects and nonstop action, it drew crowds to movie theaters around the world. Some said that the film's appeal was rooted in its amazing technology. Others pointed to the enduring appeal of the Superman mythology.
Amy Adams, the actress who plays Lois Lane in the movie, has a different view of Superman's appeal. She says it is about a basic human longing: Who doesn't want to believe that there's one person who could come and save us from ourselves?
That';s a great question. And the answer is that someone has already come to save us from ourselves, and that someone is Jesus. Several announcements were made regarding the birth of Jesus. One of them was from the angel Gabriel to Joseph: She [Mary] will bring forth a , and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins Matt. 1:21
Jesus came He did so to save us from our sin and from ourselves. His name means the Lord saves and our salvation was His mission. The longing for rescue that fills the human heart ultimately is met by Jesus.
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Jesus name and mission are the same He came to save us.
INSIGHT: When the angel spoke to Joseph about Mary's baby, he said that the 's name would be a clue to His identity: You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins Matt. 1:21. Jesus would also be called Immanuel, which means God with us(v.23). Jesus came to rescue us.
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The Unseen World
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Posted:Feb 23, 2015 4:57 am
Last Updated:Feb 24, 2015 10:16 am 19672 Views
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The Angel of the Lord [was] standing in the way. Numbers 22:23
Read: Numbers 22:21-31
Bible in a Year: Numbers 7-8; Mark 4:21-41
Did you know that the microbes on just one of your hands outnumber all of the people on the earth? Or that millions of microbes could fit into the eye of a needle? These one-celled, living organisms are too small for us to see without a microscope, yet they live in the air, soil, water, and even in our bodies. We constantly interact with them, even though their world is completely beyond our senses.
The realities of the spiritual world are also often not visible to us humans, as the prophet Balaam discovered. He was trudging along the road with his two servants when his donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand (Num. 22:23). To avoid the angel, the animal walked into a field, crushed Balaam's foot against a wall, and lay down with Balaam still on her back. Balaam was angry and struck the donkey. He didn't realize something supernatural was going on until God opened his eyes (v.31).
The Bible tells us that a spiritual world does exist, and we may sometimes encounter realities from that realm both good and bad
(Heb. 13:2; Eph. 6:12). Because of this, we are encouraged to be watchful, prayerful, and prepared. Just as God rules the world we see, He also rules the unseen world.
Heavenly Father, help us to be strong in You
and in the power of Your might. Open our
eyes so that we may see the spiritual
realities You have for us.
All that is seen and unseen is under God's sovereign power.
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Weighed Down
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Posted:Feb 20, 2015 1:58 am
Last Updated:Feb 20, 2015 2:00 am 19848 Views
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Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
Read: Hebrews 12:1-5
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2
August 10, 1628, was a dark day in naval history. On that day the royal warship Vasa set out on her maiden voyage. After taking 2 years to build, being lavishly decorated and holding 64 cannons, the pride of the Swedish navy sank only one mile out to sea. What went wrong? The excessive load was too heavy to make her seaworthy. Excess weight pulled the Vasa to the bottom of the ocean.
The Christian life can also be weighed down by excess baggage. Encouraging us in our spiritual journey, the book of Hebrews says: Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (12:1-2).
Like the lavishly decorated ship, we may project to others an impressive exterior. But if on the inside we are weighed down with sin, our perseverance can be impaired. There is a remedy, however. By relying on God's guidance and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, our load can be lightened and our perseverance buoyant.
Forgiveness and grace are always available to the spiritual traveler.
Father in heaven, too often I try to mask the burden
and weight of sin in my life with the outward activities
of the Christian life. Forgive me. Help me to set aside
the things that keep me from running a good race.
Perseverance is as much about a strong won't as a strong will.
INSIGHT: We are told in today's passage to lay aside everything that hinders our daily walk of faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the example of a cloud of witnesses helps us to persevere (12:1). These witnesses are most likely the people listed in chapter 11 who walked in faith looking for the promises of God. We are also told to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (12:2), who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is our example of patient perseverance, having endured the cross and the hostility of sinners, and He is now seated at God's right hand (vv.2-3). With the saints behind us and Christ ahead of us we can press on.
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Whose Will?
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Posted:Feb 19, 2015 2:44 am
Last Updated:May 3, 2024 11:7 am 19741 Views
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O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. Matthew 26:39
Read: Genesis 39:1-6,20-23
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23-45
May all things happen according to your will, is a greeting frequently exchanged during Chinese New Year. As wonderful as that may sound, events turn out best when God's will plays out and not mine.
Given a choice, Joseph would not have wished to be a slave in Egypt (Gen. 39:1). But despite his captivity, he was âsuccessful because the Lord was with [him] (v.2). The Lord even blessed his master's home for Joseph's sake (v.5).
Joseph would never have chosen to go to prison in Egypt. But he did when falsely accused of sexual assault. However, for the second time we read: the Lord was with Joseph (v.21). There, he gained the trust of the warden (v.22) so that whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper v.23. His downward spiral into prison turned out to be the start of his rise to the top position in Egypt. Few people would choose to be promoted the way God promoted Joseph. But Joseph's God blesses, despite, and even through, adverse circumstances.
God had a purpose for bringing Joseph to Egypt, and He has a purpose for placing us where we are. Instead of wishing that all things happened according to our will, we could say, as our Savior did before going to the cross, Not as I will, but as You will Matt. 26:39.
Lord, it is far too easy to chase my own desires and
passions. Forgive me for my selfish wants and pursuit of
self-centered activities. Help me to place You first and to
look for what You are doing and want to do in my life.
Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's will.
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Whose Will?
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Posted:Feb 19, 2015 2:37 am
Last Updated:Feb 19, 2015 2:43 am 19371 Views
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O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. Matthew 26:39
Read: Genesis 39:1-6,20-23
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23-45
May all things happen according to your will, is a greeting frequently exchanged during Chinese New Year. As wonderful as that may sound, events turn out best when God's will plays out and not mine.
Given a choice, Joseph would not have wished to be a slave in Egypt (Gen. 39:1). But despite his captivity, he was successful because ÂÂthe Lord was with [him](v.2). The Lord even blessed his master's home for Joseph's sake (v.5).
Joseph would never have chosen to go to prison in Egypt. But he did when falsely accused of sexual assault. However, for the second time we read: the Lord was with Joseph (v.21). There, he gained the trust of the warden (v.22) so that whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper v.23. His downward spiral into prison turned out to be the start of his rise to the top position in Egypt. Few people would choose to be promoted the way God promoted Joseph. But Joseph's God blesses, despite, and even through, adverse circumstances.
God had a purpose for bringing Joseph to Egypt, and He has a purpose for placing us where we are. Instead of wishing that all things happened according to our will, we could say, as our Savior did before going to the cross, Not as I will, but as You will Matt. 26:39.
Lord, it is far too easy to chase my own desires and
passions. Forgive me for my selfish wants and pursuit of
self-centered activities. Help me to place You first and to
look for what You are doing and want to do in my life.
Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's will.
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Mirror, Mirror
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Posted:Feb 18, 2015 5:48 am
Last Updated:Feb 18, 2015 5:51 am 19340 Views
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He who . . . is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25
Read: James 1:19-27
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 23-24; Mark 1:1-22
How often do you see your reflection in a mirror? Some studies say that the average person looks in a mirror 8 to 10 times a day. Other surveys say it could be as many as 60 to 70 times a day, if glancing at our reflection in store windows and smart phone screens is included.
Why do we look so often? Most experts agree that itâs to check our appearance, especially before meetings or social gatherings. If something is amiss, we want to fix it. Why look if we don't plan to change what's wrong?
The apostle James said that reading or hearing God's Word without acting on it is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what we've seen (1:22-24). But the better alternative is to look closely and act on what we see. James said, He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (v.25).
If we hear God's Word without taking action, we fool only ourselves (v.22). But when we examine ourselves in light of Godâs Word and obey His instructions, God liberates us from all that keeps us from looking more and more like Him each day.
Thank You, Lord, for the Bible, Your Word to us.
Give us wisdom and guidance as we
read its pages. Make us sensitive to Your
voice and give us hearts to obey.
The Bible is a mirror that lets us see ourselves as God sees us.
INSIGHT: Various metaphors are used in Scripture to describe God's Word: a mirror (James 1:23); fire and a hammer (Jer. 23:29), a lamp
(Ps. 119:105), water (Eph. 5:26), a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), a seed (1 Peter 1:23), food (Job 23:12), and milk (1 Peter 2:2). The Word of God reveals, consumes, breaks, illuminates, purifies, convicts, regenerates, satisfies, and nourishes the believer. It is not enough to know God's Word; we need to obey it (James 1:22-25).
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