Boo!
|
Posted:Mar 6, 2014 5:14 am
Last Updated:Mar 6, 2014 5:15 am 13721 Views
|
Read: Isaiah 30:1-5,18-19
[God] will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30.19
Bible in a Year:
Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 10:1-31
One of the early games that many parents play with their involves a fake scare. Dad hides his face behind his hands and suddenly reveals himself while saying, Boo! The giggles at this silliness.
Being frightened is a fun game until the day when the experiences a real scare. Then its no laughing matter. The first real scare often involves separation from a parent. The wanders away innocently, moving from one attraction to another. But as soon as she realizes she is lost, she panics and lets out a loud cry of alarm. The parent immediately comes running to reassure the that she is not alone.
As we get older, our fake scares become sophisticated scary books, movies, amusement park rides. Being scared is so invigorating that we may begin taking bigger risks for bigger thrills.
But when a real scare comes, we may realize that we, like the ancient Israelites (Isa. 30), have wandered from the One who loves and cares for us. Recognizing that we are in danger, we panic. Our call for help does not require sophisticated words or a well-reasoned defense, just a desperate cry.
Like a loving parent, God responds quickly for He longs to have us live in the protection of His love where we need never be afraid.
Trusting God's faithfulness helps dispel our fearfulness.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Me And Dad
|
Posted:Mar 5, 2014 9:23 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2014 9:25 am 13886 Views
|
Read: Matthew 9:35,10:1
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Genesis 2:15
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 34-36; Mark 9:30-50
A friend once spent a day installing large stone steps in his backyard. When his 5-year-old begged to help, he suggested she just sing to encourage him in his work. She said no. She wanted to help. Carefully, when it would not endanger her, he let her place her hands on the rocks as he moved them.
He could have built the steps in less time without her. At the end of the day, though, he not only had new steps but also a bursting with pride. Me and Dad made steps, she announced at dinner that night.
From the beginning, God has relied on people to advance His work. After equipping Adam to cultivate the land and supervise the animals, God left the work of the garden in his hands (Gen. 2:15-20).
The pattern has continued. When God wanted a dwelling place on earth, a tabernacle and temple did not descend from the sky; thousands of artists and craftsmen worked to fashion them
(Ex. 35.38; 1 Kings 6). When Jesus proclaimed the new reign of God's kingdom on earth, He invited human beings to help. He told His disciples, Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Matt. 9.38.
As a father does with his , so does God welcome us as His kingdom partners.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your love
and wisdom, You invite us to accomplish Your acts
of love, service, and kindness here on earth.
Thank You for the privilege of helping You.
God uses humble servants to accomplish His great work.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
No More Prejudice
|
Posted:Mar 4, 2014 4:25 am
Last Updated:Mar 4, 2014 4:27 am 13977 Views
|
Read: James 2:1-10
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. James 2:1
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 31-33; Mark 9.1-29
A 2010 survey by Newsweek contained some startling statistics:
57 percent of hiring managers believe an unattractive (but qualified) job candidate would have a harder time getting hired; 84 percent of managers said their bosses would hesitate before hiring a qualified older candidate; 64 percent of hiring managers said they believe companies should be allowed to hire people based on appearance. All are clear examples of unacceptable prejudice.
Prejudice is not new. It had crept into the early church, and James confronted it head-on. With prophetic grit and a pastorÂÂs heart, he wrote: My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality (James 2:1). James gave an example of this type of prejudice favoring the rich and ignoring the poor (vv.2-4). This was inconsistent with holding faith in Jesus without partiality (v.1), betrayed the grace of God (vv.5-7, violated the law of love (v.8, and was sinful (v.). The answer to partiality is following the example of Jesus: loving your neighbor as yourself.
We fight the sin of prejudice when we let God's love for us find full expression in the way we love and treat each other.
Thinking It Over
Who helped you determine what is the right way to
treat people? Was it based on external things?
What are some ways you can love people as Jesus did?
Looking up to Jesus prevents us from looking down on others.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
No More Prejudice
|
Posted:Mar 4, 2014 4:24 am
Last Updated:May 10, 2024 4:55 am 14010 Views
|
Read: James 2:1-10
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. âÂÂJames 2:1
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 31-33; Mark 9.1-29
A 2010 survey by Newsweek contained some startling statistics:
57 percent of hiring managers believe an unattractive (but qualified) job candidate would have a harder time getting hired; 84 percent of managers said their bosses would hesitate before hiring a qualified older candidate; 64 percent of hiring managers said they believe companies should be allowed to hire people based on appearance. All are clear examples of unacceptable prejudice.
Prejudice is not new. It had crept into the early church, and James confronted it head-on. With prophetic grit and a pastorÂÂs heart, he wrote: ÂÂMy brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality (James 2:1). James gave an example of this type of prejudiceâÂÂfavoring the rich and ignoring the poor (vv.2-4). This was inconsistent with holding faith in Jesus without partiality (v.1), betrayed the grace of God (vv.5-7, violated the law of love (v.8, and was sinful (v.). The answer to partiality is following the example of Jesus: loving your neighbor as yourself.
We fight the sin of prejudice when we let GodâÂÂs love for us find full expression in the way we love and treat each other.
Thinking It Over
Who helped you determine what is the right way to
treat people? Was it based on external things?
What are some ways you can love people as Jesus did?
Looking up to Jesus prevents us from looking down on others.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Instant Gratification
|
Posted:Mar 3, 2014 5:04 am
Last Updated:Mar 3, 2014 5:06 am 13863 Views
|
Read: Psalm 27:4-14
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Psalm 27:14
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 28-30; Mark 8:22-38
When the Polaroid SX-70 camera was introduced in 1972, it revolutionized photography. An article by Owen Edward in Smithsonian magazine described the camera as âa miracle of physics, optics and electronics.â When a photo was snapped, blank square would emerge from the front of the camera and develop before our eyes. People were sold on speedy, immediate results.
Oswald Chambers saw a strong connection between our desire for the immediate and lust: âLust simply means, I must have this at once; it may be a bodily appetite or a spiritual possession. . . . I cannot wait for Godâs time, God is too indifferent; that is the way lust works.
In Psalm 27, David wrote of his waiting on God during a time of great trouble when there was no solution in sight. Instead of giving in to despair, he maintained his confidence that he would âsee the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (v.13).
We live in a world that worships the immediate. When it seems there is no sign of our deepest longings being fulfilled, the psalmist urges us to cling to the eternal God. âWait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! (v.14).
Help me, O Lord, to be content! My lips to seal,
To every vain desire, each whim instead to kneel,
Acknowledging Thee, Lord and King, and in that place
To kneel, to pray, to wait until I see Thy face!
The answer to our craving for the immediate is to focus on the eternal.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Instand Gratification
|
Posted:Mar 3, 2014 5:02 am
Last Updated:May 10, 2024 4:55 am 13757 Views
|
Read: Psalm 27:4-14
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. âPsalm 27:14
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 28-30; Mark 8:22-38
When the Polaroid SX-70 camera was introduced in 1972, it revolutionized photography. An article by Owen Edward in Smithsonian magazine described the camera as âa miracle of physics, optics and electronics.â When a photo was snapped, âa blank square would emerge from the front of the camera and develop before our eyes.â People were sold on speedy, immediate results.
Oswald Chambers saw a strong connection between our desire for the immediate and lust: âLust simply means, âI must have this at onceâ; it may be a bodily appetite or a spiritual possession. . . . I cannot wait for Godâs time, God is too indifferent; that is the way lust works.â
In Psalm 27, David wrote of his waiting on God during a time of great trouble when there was no solution in sight. Instead of giving in to despair, he maintained his confidence that he would âsee the goodness of the Lord in the land of the livingâ (v.13).
We live in a world that worships the immediate. When it seems there is no sign of our deepest longings being fulfilled, the psalmist urges us to cling to the eternal God. âWait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!â (v.14).
Help me, O Lord, to be content! My lips to seal,
To every vain desire, each whimâinstead to kneel,
Acknowledging Thee, Lord and King, and in that place
To kneel, to pray, to wait until I see Thy face!
The answer to our craving for the immediate is to focus on the eternal.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Sunrise
|
Posted:Mar 1, 2014 10:58 am
Last Updated:Mar 1, 2014 11:00 am 13625 Views
|
Read: Exodus 3:1-12
Then Moses said, âI will now turn aside and see this great sight.Exodus 3:3
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 23-25; Mark 7:14-37
There was a magnificent sunrise this morning, but I was too busy to enjoy it. I turned away and became preoccupied with other things. I thought about that sunrise a few moments ago, and I realize I lost an opportunity for worship this morning.
In the midst of the busyness and stresses of our days, there are patches of beauty all around us, glimpses of God's goodness that we catch here and there along the way. These are the places in the walls of the universe where heaven is breaking through if only we will take the time to stop and to reflect upon God's love for us.
What if Moses had taken only a fleeting glance at the bush that was burning but âwas not consumed? (Ex. 3:2). What if he had ignored it and hurried on to other things? (He had those sheep to take care of, you know, and important work to do.) He would have missed an epic, life-changing encounter with the living God (vv.4-12).
Sometimes in life we must hurry. But overall, life should be less hurrying and more noticing. Life is the present. Life is being aware; it is seeing Godâs love breaking through. It is turning aside to the miracle of something like a sunrise. Something transitory, yet symbolic of the eternity that awaits us.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free. â
Lord, open our eyes that we may see.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Big Spring
|
Posted:Feb 28, 2014 4:45 am
Last Updated:May 10, 2024 4:55 am 16133 Views
|
Read: John 4.7-14
The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. âJohn 4:14
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 20-22; Mark 7:1-13
In Michiganâs Upper Peninsula is a remarkable natural wonderâa pool about 40 feet deep and 300 feet across that Native Americans called âKitch-iti-kipi,â or âthe big cold water.â Today it is known as The Big Spring. It is fed by underground springs that push more than 10,000 gallons of water a minute through the rocks below and up to the surface. Additionally, the water keeps a constant temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that even in the brutally cold winters of the Upper Peninsula the pool never freezes. Tourists can enjoy viewing the waters of Big Spring during any season of the year.
When Jesus encountered a woman at Jacobâs well, He talked to her about another source of water that would always satisfy. But He did not speak of a fountain, spring, river, or lake. He said, âWhoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting lifeâ (John 4:14).
Far greater than any natural spring is the refreshment we have been offered in Christ Himself. We can be satisfied, for Jesus alone, the Water of Life, can quench our thirst. Praise God, for Jesus is the source that never runs dry.
Father, it seems that I drink far too often from the
waters of the world that cannot satisfy. Forgive me,
and teach me to find in Christ the water than can
quench the thirst of my heart and draw me ever closer to You.
The only real thirst-quencher is Jesusâ the living water.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Consider The Lilies
|
Posted:Feb 27, 2014 4:26 am
Last Updated:Feb 27, 2014 4:30 am 16168 Views
|
Read: Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 17-19; Mark 6:30-56
I enjoy nature and giving praise to its Creator, but I sometimes wrongly feel guilty for admiring it too much. Then I remember that Jesus used nature as a teaching tool. To encourage people not to worry, He used simple wildflowers as an example. Consider the lilies,â He said, and then reminded people that even though flowers do no work at all, God dresses them in splendor. His conclusion? If God clothes something temporary in such glory, He surely will do much more for us (Matt. 6:28-34).
Other portions of Scripture indicate that creation is one of the ways God uses to tell us about Himself:
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork, wrote David. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledgeâ (Ps. 19:1-2).
âLet the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge, Asaph said (50:6).
And Paul wrote, For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and God head, so that they are without excuse (Rom. 1:20).
God so loves us and wants us to know Him that He put evidence of Himself everywhere we look.
Father, Your love is overwhelmingly evident, yet
so often we miss it. Thank You for the unfailing
reminders of Your grace, love, and mercy. Give
us eyes to see Your beauty in Your creation.
In God pattern book of nature we can trace many valuable lessons.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
The Power Of Love
|
Posted:Feb 26, 2014 3:15 am
Last Updated:May 10, 2024 4:55 am 16195 Views
|
Read: 1 John 4.7-10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His to be the [atoning sacrifice] for our sins. â1 John 4:10
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29
Books on leadership often appear on best-seller lists. Most of them tell how to become a powerful and effective leader. But Henri Nouwenâs book In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership is written from a different perspective. The former university professor who spent many years serving in a community of developmentally disabled adults says: âThe question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus? . . . In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal.â
John wrote, âIn this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His to be the [atoning sacrifice] for our sinsâ
(1 John 4:9-10).
âThe Christian leader of the future,â writes Nouwen, âis the one who truly knows the heart of God as it has become flesh . . . in Jesus.â In Him, we discover and experience Godâs unconditional, unlimited love.
Father, please show the wonder of Your great love
through me to others today so that they might know
they need not walk through life alone. Let my heart
personally experience and display Your care.
Godâs love in our heart gives us a heart for others.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
