An Emergency Of The Spirit
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Posted:Sep 23, 2014 6:13 am
Last Updated:Sep 23, 2014 6:15 am 19039 Views
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Read: 2 Samuel 1:17-27
David lamented with this lamenttion over Saul and over Jonathan his . 2 Samuel 1:17
Bible in a Year:
Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2
In March 2011, a devastating tsunami struck Japan, taking nearly 16,000 lives as it obliterated towns and villages along the coast. Writer and poet Gretel Erlich visited Japan to witness and document the destruction. When she felt inadequate to report what she was seeing, she wrote a poem about it. In a PBS NewsHour interview she said, My old friend William Stafford, a poet now gone, said, A poem is an emergency of the spirit.
We find poetry used throughout the Bible to express deep emotion, ranging from joyful praise to anguished loss. When King Saul and his Jonathan were killed in battle, David was overwhelmed with grief
(2 Sam. 1:1-12). He poured out his soul in a poem he called the Song of the Bow: Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. . . . How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! . . . I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me (vv.23-26).
When we face an emergency of the spirit whether glad or sad our prayers can be a poem to the Lord. While we may stumble to articulate what we feel, our heavenly Father hears our words as a true expression of our hearts.
Sometimes I do not pray in words
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord
I am so glad He understands.
God does more than hear words; He reads hearts.
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Repeat Warnings
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Posted:Sep 22, 2014 3:04 am
Last Updated:Sep 23, 2014 6:13 am 18888 Views
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Read: Galatians 1:6-10
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel. âGalatians 1:6
Bible in a Year:
Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1
Caution, the moving walkway is ending. Caution, the moving walkway is ending. If you've ever used an automated walkway at an airport, you've heard this kind of announcement repeatedly.
Why do airports repeat this announcement over and over? To ensure safety and to protect them from liability if someone were to be injured.
Repeated announcements can be annoying, but they do have value. As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul thought repeating a warning was so vital that he did it in the text of Galatians. But his statement had value far beyond the danger of tripping at the airport. Paul warned them not to listen to, nor believe, him or an angel from heaven if they preached âany other gospel than what they had already heard(1.8. In the next verse, Paul said it again. It was a warning worth repeating. The Galatians had begun to believe that their salvation was dependent on good works instead of the true gospel: faith in Christ's work.
The gospel of Jesus His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins is the story that we have the privilege and responsibility to share. When we present the gospel, let's share that the risen Jesus is the only solution to the problem of sin.
He is the way, the truth, the life
That One whose name is Jesus;
There is no other name on earth
That has the power to save us.
Only one road leads to heaven Jesus Christ is the way.
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On Being Known
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Posted:Sep 19, 2014 6:45 am
Last Updated:Sep 19, 2014 6:46 am 18835 Views
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Read: James 5:16-20
I acknowledged my sin to You . . . . I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:5
Bible in a Year:
Ecclesiastes 1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
One of the most difficult inner conflicts we have is our desire to be known versus our fear of being known. As beings created in the image of God we are made to be known known by God and also by others. Yet due to our fallen nature, all of us have sins and weaknesses that we don't want others to know about. We use the phrase dark side to refer to aspects of our lives that we keep hidden. And we use slogans like put your best foot forward to encourage others to show their best side.
One reason we are unwilling to risk being known is that we fear rejection and ridicule. But when we discover that God knows us, loves us, and is willing to forgive even the worst thing we have done, our fear of being known by God begins to fade away. And when we find a community of believers who understands the dynamic relationship between forgiveness and confession, we feel safe confessing our sins to one another (James 5:16).
The life of faith is not about showing only our good side. It's about exposing our dark side to the light of Christ through confession to God and also to others. In this way we can receive healing and live in the freedom of forgiveness.
Lord, help me to expose my sin,
Those secret wrongs that lurk within;
I would confess them all to Thee;
Transparent I would always be.
The voice of sin may be loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.
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Love To Tell His History
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Posted:Sep 18, 2014 4:23 am
Last Updated:Sep 18, 2014 12:24 pm 18696 Views
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Read: 1 Chronicles 16.7-13
Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16.8
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
When noted author Studs Terkel was looking for a topic for his next book, one of his friends suggested death. While he was resistant at first, the idea gradually began to take shape, but its voice became all too real when Mr. Terkelâs wife of 60 years passed away. Now the book was also a personal search: a yearning to know what lies beyond, where his loved one had just gone. Its pages are a poignant reminder of our own search for Jesus and the questions and concerns we have about eternity while we walk our faith journey.
I'm thankful for the assurance we can have that we will be with Jesus after we die if we have trusted in Him to forgive our sin. There is no greater hope. It is now our privilege to share that hope with as many as we can. First Peter 3:15 encourages us: . . . always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. We have the opportunity from God, as David said, to call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples 1 Chron. 16.8.
The stories of so many people we love are not yet ended, and the privilege to tell them about the love of Jesus is a gift most precious.
I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Let our days be filled with a longing and the opportunities to tell our story of Jesus.
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Giving It To God
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Posted:Sep 17, 2014 4:33 am
Last Updated:Sep 18, 2014 12:24 pm 18688 Views
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Read: Mark 10:17-22
[He] went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 27-29; 2 Corinthians 10
A hero to a generation of people who grew up after World War II, Corrie ten Boom left a legacy of godliness and wisdom. A victim of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, she survived to tell her story of faith and dependence on God during horrendous suffering.
I have held many things in my hands, Corrie once said, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that, I still possess.
Corrie was well acquainted with loss. She lost family, possessions, and years of her life to hateful people. Yet she learned to concentrate on what could be gained spiritually and emotionally by putting everything in the hands of her heavenly Father.
What does that mean to us? What should we place in God's hands for safekeeping? According to the story of the rich young man in Mark 10, everything. He held abundance in his hands, but when Jesus asked him to give it up, he refused. He kept his possessions and he failed to follow Jesus and as a result he went away sorrowful (v.22).
Like Corrie ten Boom, we can find hope by putting everything in God's hands and then trusting Him for the outcome.
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
No life is more secure than a life surrendered to God.
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A Heart For Prayer
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Posted:Sep 16, 2014 7:16 am
Last Updated:Sep 16, 2014 7:19 am 18701 Views
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Read: Psalm 27.7-14
When You said,Seek My face, my heart said to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek.Psalm 27:8
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 25-26; 2 Corinthians 9
While traveling on an airplane with her 4- and 2-year-old daughters, a young mom worked at keeping them busy so they wouldn't disturb others. When the pilot's voice came over the intercom for an announcement, Catherine, the younger girl, paused from her activities and put her head down. When the pilot finished, she whispered, Amen. Perhaps because there had been a recent natural disaster, she thought the pilot was praying.
Like that little girl, I want a heart that turns my thoughts toward prayer quickly. I think it would be fair to say that the psalmist David had that kind of heart. We get hints of that in Psalm 27 as he speaks of facing difficult foes (v.2). He said, Your face, Lord, I will seek v.8. Some say that David was remembering the time he was fleeing from Saul
(1 Sam. 21:10) or from his Absalom (2 Sam. 15:13-14) when he wrote this psalm. Prayer and dependence on God were in the forefront of David's thinking, and he found Him to be his sanctuary (Ps. 27:4-5).
We need a sanctuary as well. Perhaps reading or praying this psalm and others could help us to develop that closeness to our Father-God. As God becomes our sanctuary, weâll more readily turn our hearts toward Him in prayer.
Teach me, Father, what it means to run to
and have You as my sanctuary. Help me not to
worry about the words I say, but just to express my
heart to You and to nestle down close to You.
In prayer, God can still our hearts and quiet our minds.
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The Blame Game
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Posted:Sep 15, 2014 2:15 am
Last Updated:Sep 18, 2014 12:25 pm 18775 Views
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Read: Genesis 16:1-6; 21:8-13
My wrong be upon you! . . . The Lord judge between you and me. Genesis 16:5
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 22-24; 2 Corinthians 8
When Jenny's husband left her for another woman, she vowed that she would never meet his new wife. But when she realized that her bitterness was damaging her 's relationship with their father, she asked for God's help to take the first steps toward overcoming bitterness in a situation she couldn't change.
In Genesis 16, we read the story of a couple to whom God promised a baby. When Sarai suggested that her husband Abram have a with their servant Hagar, she wasnât fully trusting God for the He had promised. When the baby was born, Hagar despised Sarai
(Gen. 16:3-4), and Sarai became bitter (vv.5-6).
Hagar had been the slave with no rights and suddenly she was special. How did Sarai react? By blaming others, including Abram (v.5). God's promise was realized in the birth of Isaac 14 years later. Even his weaning celebration was spoiled by Saraiâs attitude (21:8-10).
It may never have been easy for Sarai to have lived with the consequences of their decision to go ahead of God. It may have taken a miracle of grace to change her attitude but that could have transformed everything. Sarai couldnât reverse the decision, but through God's strength, she could have lived with it differently, and given God the glory.
Thank You, Lord, that though our situations
may not change, Your grace is strong enough
to change us in our situations. Help us as we
struggle sometimes to live in this sinful world.
By God's grace, we can reflect His light in the dark times.
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The Small Giant
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Posted:Sep 12, 2014 4:26 am
Last Updated:Sep 13, 2014 9:35 am 18809 Views
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Read: 1 Samuel 17:32-37
The Lord . . . will deliver me. â1 Samuel 17:37
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 13-15; 2 Corinthians 5
The towering enemy strides into the Valley of Elah. He stands 9 feet tall, and his coat of armor, made of many small bronze plates, glimmers in the sunlight. The shaft of his spear is wrapped with cords so it can spin through the air and be thrown with greater distance and accuracy. Goliath looks invincible.
But David knows better. While Goliath may look like a giant and act like a giant, in contrast to the living God he is small. David has a right view of God and therefore a right view of the circumstances. He sees Goliath as one who is defying the armies of the living God (1 Sam. 17:26). He confidently appears before Goliath in his shepherd's clothes, armed with only his staff, five stones, and a sling. His confidence is not in what he has but in who is with him (v.45).
What Goliath are you facing right now? It may be an impossible situation at work, a financial difficulty, or a broken relationship. With God all things are small in comparison. Nothing is too big for Him. The words of the hymnwriter Charles Wesley remind us: Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to that alone; laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done. God is able to deliver you if that's His desire, and He may do so in ways you don't expect.
Not to the strong is the battle,
Not to the swift is the race;
Yet to the true and the faithful
Victory is promised through grace.
Don't tell God how big your giants are. Tell your giants how big your God is.
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Born To Rescue
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Posted:Sep 11, 2014 8:36 am
Last Updated:Sep 18, 2014 12:27 pm 18778 Views
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Read: Mark 10:35-45
For even the of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 10-12; 2 Corinthians 4
After the terrorist attack and the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, Cynthia Otto took care of the search-and-rescue dogs. Years later she established a Working Center where young pups are put through specialized training to prepare them to help victims of disaster.
Otto made this comment about these rescue animals: There are so many jobs now that dogs are being used for . . . and they can save lives. Otto said that these puppies will one day give vital aid to people in life-threatening circumstances. They are born to rescue others.
The Bible tells us of the Messiah who was born to rescue humanity from the penalty of sin. What He did rises above all earthly comparison. Two thousand years ago, God Himself became human in order to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. When Jesus became a man, He understood and proclaimed that He was born to rescue
(John 12:27. For even the of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
Let us praise our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ who was born to save all who will accept His offer of salvation.
Use us, Lord, and make us humble,
Rescue us from foolish pride;
And when we begin to stumble,
Turn our thoughts to Christ who died.
Christ came to seek and to save the lost.
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One Amazing Letter
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Posted:Sep 10, 2014 7:41 am
Last Updated:May 13, 2024 5:10 am 18963 Views
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Read: Psalm 119:9-16
I will not forget Your word. âPsalm 119:16
Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3
Once in a while I open the mail to find a letter with no words on it. When we take the âletterâ out of the envelope, we see a piece of paper with nothing more on it than a colorful mark made with a felt pen. Those âlettersâ warm my heart because theyâre from my preschool granddaughter Katie, who lives in another state. Even without words, these letters tell us that she loves us and is thinking about me.
We all cherish letters from those we love and those who love us. Thatâs why there is so much encouragement in the fact that our heavenly Father has given us a letter called the Bible. The value of Scripture goes beyond its words of power, challenge, and wisdom. Amid all of the stories, teaching, and guidance this Book provides, the overriding idea is that God loves us and has planned our rescue. It tells us of His love in overseeing our existence (Ps. 139), meeting our needs (Matt. 6:31-34), comforting us (2 Cor. 1:3-4), and saving us through the sacrifice of His , Jesus (Rom. 1:16-17).
You are loved beyond imagination. God says so in His inspired and inspiring message to you. No wonder the psalmist wrote, âI will not forget Your wordâ (Ps. 119:16). It is one amazing letter!
Lord, help me to examine the Bibleâs pages,
understand its truths, and apply its teachings to my
life. May I be as excited about Your letter to me as I
am about a letter, email, or Facebook posting by a friend.
The love of God for us is revealed in His letter to usâthe Bible.
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