City Of Refuge
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Posted:Aug 1, 2014 4:24 am
Last Updated:Aug 1, 2014 4:25 am 22577 Views
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Read: Psalm 59:10-17
I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Psalm 59:16
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 57-59; Romans 4
As we entered a town in Australia, we were greeted by a sign that declared: We welcome all who are seeking refuge and asylum. This kind of welcome seems to resonate with the Old Testament concept of the cities of refuge. In the Old Testament era, cities of refuge
(Num. 35:6) were established to be a safe haven for people who had accidentally killed someone and were needing protection. God had the people establish such cities to provide that refuge.
This concept, however, was not intended to be simply a practice for ancient Israel. More than that, cities of refuge reflected the heart of God for all people. He Himself longs to be our safe haven and our city of refuge in the failures, heartaches, and losses of life. We read in Psalm 59:16-17, I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.
For the hurting heart of every generation, our city of refuge is not a place. Our city of refuge is a Person the God who loves us with an everlasting love. May we find our refuge and rest in Him.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.
Refuge can be found in the Rock of Ages.
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Just As I Am
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Posted:Jul 31, 2014 8:45 am
Last Updated:Jul 31, 2014 8:47 am 22739 Views
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Read: Isaiah 55:1-7
Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live.
Isaiah 55:3
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 54-56; Romans 3
Good memories flooded my mind as I sat in a concert. The groups leader had just introduced the song they were about to sing: Just As I Am. I remembered how years ago at the end of his sermons my pastor would ask people to come forward while we sang that song, indicating they would like to receive the forgiveness Christ offers for their sins.
But the leader of the musical group at the concert suggested another occasion when we might sing this song. He commented that he likes to think that when he dies and goes to meet the Lord one day, he will sing in thanks to Him:
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Years before writing this song, Charlotte Elliott asked a minister how she might find the Lord. He told her, Just come to Him as you are. She did, and later during a discouraging time of illness, she wrote this hymn about the day she came to Christ and He forgave her sin.
In His Word, the Lord encourages us to seek Him: Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near (Isa. 55:6). He calls to our hearts: Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters . . . . Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live (vv.1,3).
Because of Jesus death and resurrection, we can come to Him right now and will one day go into eternity to be with Him forever. Just as I am . . . I come!
Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
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Family Trademarks
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Posted:Jul 30, 2014 3:40 am
Last Updated:Jul 30, 2014 3:41 am 22241 Views
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Read: 1 John 4.7-16
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4.7
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 51-53; Romans 2
The Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, are known for their beautiful sweaters. Patterns are woven into the fabric using sheeps wool to craft the garments. Many of them relate to the culture and folklore of these small islands, but some are more personal. Each family on the islands has its own trademark pattern, which is so distinctive that if a fisherman were to drown it is said that he could be identified simply by examining his sweater for the family trademark.
In Johns first letter, the apostle describes things that are to be trademarks of those who are members of Gods family. In 1 John 3:1, John affirms that we are indeed part of Gods family by saying, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called of God! He then describes the trademarks of those who are the of God, including, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God (4.7).
Because love is of God,â the chief way to reflect the heart of the Father is by displaying the love that characterizes Him. May we allow His love to reach out to others through usâfor love is one of our family trademarks.
Father, teach me to love with the love of Christ
that others might see Your love reflected in my
care and concern for them. May Your love
drive and dominate my responses to life and to others.
Love is the family resemblance the world should see in followers of Christ.
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Confident Access
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Posted:Jul 29, 2014 5:19 am
Last Updated:Jul 29, 2014 5:22 am 22027 Views
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Read: Hebrews 4.14-16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews .16
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 49-50; Romans 1
Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island located about a half-mile off the coast of Normandy, France. For centuries it has been the site of an abbey and monastery that has attracted religious pilgrims. Until the construction of a causeway, it was notorious for its dangerous access that resulted in the death of some pilgrims. At low tide it is encompassed by sand banks, and at high tide it is surrounded by water. Accessing the island was a cause for fear.
Access to God for Old Testament Jews was also a cause for fear. When God thundered on Mt. Sinai, the people feared approaching Him Ex. 1.10-16. And when access to God was granted through the high priest, specific instructions had to be followed (Lev. 16.1-34. Accidentally touching the ark of the covenant, which represented the holy presence of God, would result in death see 2 Sam. 6.7-8.
But because of Jesus death and resurrection, we can now approach God without fear. God's penalty for sin has been satisfied, and we are invited into God's presence: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
Heb. 4.16.
Because of Jesus we can come to God through prayer anywhere, anytime.
Then boldly let our faith address
Godâs throne of grace and power,
There to obtain delivering grace
In every needy hour.
Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father.
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Courageous And Consistent
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Posted:Jul 28, 2014 4:11 am
Last Updated:Jul 28, 2014 7:29 am 21846 Views
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Read: Acts 28:11-16,30-31
When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
âActs 28:15
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 46-48; Acts 28
While reading the obituary of Eugene Patterson, Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the Atlanta Constitution from 1960 to 1968, I was struck by two things. First, for many years Patterson was a fearless voice for civil rights during a time when many opposed racial equality. In addition, he wrote a column every day for 8 years. That's 2,922 newspaper columns! Day after day, year after year. Courage and consistency were key factors in the impact of his life.
We see those same qualities in the apostle Paul. Acts 13.28 records his bravery in one harrowing situation after another. After being shipwrecked on his way to stand trial before Caesar, he landed south of Rome, where many brothers in Christ came to meet him
(Acts 28:11-15).When Paul saw them, Luke wrote, he thanked God and took courage (v.15). During the next 2 years as a prisoner, Paul was allowed to live in his own rented house where he received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence
(vv.30-31).
Every follower of Jesus can be a consistent giver and receiver of courage. The Lord can use us today to encourage and strengthen each other.
O keep up your courage, each day to the end;
Go forth in the strength of the Lord;
Trust wholly in Jesus, thy Savior and Friend,
And feed on His own blessed Word.
When people share their fears with you, share your courage with them.
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Looking For Zacchaeus
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Posted:Jul 25, 2014 5:12 am
Last Updated:May 13, 2024 8:44 am 21763 Views
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Read: Luke 19:1-10
Today salvation has come to this house. âLuke 19:9
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 37-39; Acts 26
Alf Clark walks the city streets looking for Zacchaeus. Well, not the actual one in the BibleâJesus already found him. Alf and some friends who serve with an urban ministry do what Jesus did in Luke 19. They go purposefully through town to meet with and help those in need.
Alf walks house to house in his neighborhood, knocking on doors and saying to whoever peeks out, âHi, Iâm Alf. Do you have any needs I can pray for?â Itâs his way of opening up communication andâlike Jesus did with tax-collector Zacchaeusâseeking to supply needed counsel and spiritual life and hope.
Notice what Jesus did. Luke simply says that Jesus âpassed throughâ Jericho (Luke 19:1). Of course, a crowd gathered, as usually occurred when Jesus came to town. Zacchaeus, being âheight challenged,â climbed a tree. Jesus, while passing through, walked right over to his tree and told him He had to visit at his house. That day salvation came to Zacchaeusâs house. Jesus had âcome to seek and to save that which was lostâ (v.10).
Do we look for Zacchaeus? He is everywhere, needing Jesus. In what ways can we share Christâs love with people who need the Savior?
God, guide our steps toward and not away
from those who need You. Then guide our words
and our actions so that we can be purposeful
in our encounters with others.
Godâs good news is too good to keep to ourselves.
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He Calls The Stars By Name
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Posted:Jul 24, 2014 4:30 am
Last Updated:Jul 28, 2014 7:30 am 21510 Views
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Read: Psalm 147:1-9
He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Psalm 147:4
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 35-36; Acts 25
On a plateau high above the Atacama Desert in Chile, the world's largest radio telescope is giving astronomers a view of the universe never seen before. In an Associated Press article, Luis Andres Henao spoke of scientists from many countries looking for clues about the dawn of the cosmos from the coldest gases and dust where galaxies are formed and stars are born to the energy produced by the Big Bang.
The Bible celebrates the mighty power and infinite understanding of God who counts the number of the stars and calls them all by name (Ps. 147:4). Yet the Creator of the universe is not a remote, uncaring force, but a loving heavenly Father who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (v.3). The Lord lifts up the humble (v.6) and takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy (v.11).
He loves us so much that He gave His only begotten , that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
British author J. B. Phillips called Earth âthe visited planet, where the Prince of Glory is still working out His plan.
Our hope for today and forever lies in the loving mercy of God who calls each star by name.
The God who made the firmament,
Who made the deepest sea,
The God who put the stars in place
Is the God who cares for me.
God, who knows the name of every star, knows all our names as well.
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Waving The White Flag
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Posted:Jul 23, 2014 3:15 am
Last Updated:Jul 28, 2014 7:32 am 18873 Views
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Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 33-34; Acts 24
Recently, while watching a video of a church service held in South America, I noticed something I had never seen before in church. As the pastor passionately called his flock to yield their lives to Jesus, one of the parishioners took a white hankie out of his pocket and started waving it in the air. Then another, and another. With tears running down their cheeks, they were expressing full surrender to Christ.
But I wonder if there was more to the moment than the flags of surrender. I think they were waving flags of love to God. When God told His people to âlove the Lord your God (Deut. 6:5), it was in the context of His urging them to surrender their lives to Him.
From Godâs point of view, life with Him is far more than just trying to be good. It is always about relationship relationship in which surrender is the way we express our grateful love to Him. Jesus, in amazing love for us, surrendered Himself on the cross to rescue us from our helpless bondage to sin and set us on a journey to all that is good and glorious.
We don't have enough words to tell God how much we love Him! So, let's show Him our love by surrendering our hearts and lives to follow Him.
Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lordâin me abide.
Surrender is Godâs love language.
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Lasting Regrets
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Posted:Jul 22, 2014 5:43 am
Last Updated:Jul 22, 2014 9:52 am 15191 Views
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Read: Psalm 32:1-7
When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. Psalm 32:3
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35
While I was talking with a gifted pianist, she asked me if I played any musical instruments. When I responded, I play the radio, she laughed and asked if I had ever wanted to play any instrument. My embarrassed answer was, I took piano lessons as a boy but gave it up. Now, in my adult years, I regret not continuing with the piano. I love music and wish I could play today. That conversation was a fresh reminder to me that life is often constituted by the choices we make and some of them produce regret.
Some choices produce much more serious and painful regrets. King David discovered this when he chose to sleep with another man's wife and then killed that man. He described the guilt that filled him as devastating, saying, When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer
(Ps. 32:3-4). But David acknowledged and confessed his sin to God and found forgiveness (v.5).
It is only from God that we can receive the grace of forgiveness when our choices have produced painful regrets. And only in Him do we find the wisdom to make better choices.
Father of mercies, forgive me for the foolish choices
I have made. Please enable me to be wiser in
my choices. Teach me the value of resting
in Your grace.
God's forgiveness frees us from the chains of regret.
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Water For The World
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Posted:Jul 21, 2014 4:28 am
Last Updated:Jul 21, 2014 4:07 pm 11837 Views
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Read: John 4.7-15
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7.38
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 29-30; Acts 23:1-15d
Although 70 percent of the world is covered by water, less than 1 percent of it is drinkable by humans. Water conservation and sanitation are crucial matters in many parts of the world, as all life depends on having sanitary water.
Jesus went out of His way to introduce a lost woman to another kind of life-giving water. He deliberately chose to go to a town in Samaria, a place where no respectable rabbi would set foot. There, He told this woman about living water. Those who drink of it, He said, will never thirst. It will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).
The living water is Jesus Himself. Those who receive Him have eternal life (v.14). But the living water He provides also serves another function. Jesus said of those who receive it: Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (7.38. The living water that refreshes us is to refresh others also.
As fresh-water distribution is uneven in the world, so too is the distribution of living water. Many people do not know followers of Jesus who really care about them. It is our privilege to share Him. Christ is, after all, the living water for whom people are thirsting.
Lord Jesus, I want to live for You. May Your
life and love flow through me as I go about my
duties today so that others may see You through
me and be drawn to the living water.
Jesus is a never-ending supply of living water for a parched world.
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