SCRIPTURE
"The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. You, Lord, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever. The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race." (Psalm 12:6-8)
OBSERVATION
The Psalmist understands he lives in a wicked generation. A generation that has no direction because they wander. Part of their problem is exalting worthless things. That is really the heart of idolatry...taking something worthless, lifeless, having no eternal survival, and lifting it up by placing value on it. It is the human race that has this problem, not God. He alone is worthy (worth-full) and by association the things connected with Him are also worthy. For example, God's words are not worthless, the writer just compared them to silver.
APPLICATION
I had to wonder, "what worthless things do I exalt?" Not that I lift them up and worship them but exaltation happens when I trust, or have faith, in something or someone other than God. It is God, whom the Psalmist looks to for protection. It's easy to do...exalt worthless things. I exalt my checkbook because I trust the future by my ending balance. In the black, the future is bright, in the red I start to worry. I exalt my calendar because I think I'm in control of scheduling tomorrow. I exalt my remote because I can watch three television shows at the same time and have instantaneous control of the situation. There are a lot of other things I can exalt but I think God wants me to keep them in perspective. They are worthless when compared to Him. I need to spend my time exalting Him and the worthless things will take care of themselves because God will guard me.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me of the times I've exalted worthless things and not You. When I've trusted and lifted up the things that are not eternal.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Good Plans in Bad Places
SCRIPTURE (Genesis 39)
Joseph was a dreamer. In one particular dream, he dreamt his father, mother and brothers would bow down to him. To make family matters worse he shared this dreams with them. His brothers had enough, by the way he was also his father's favorite, and decided to get rid of him. Instead of killing him, their original plan, they sold him to slave traders. He eventually ended up a slave in Potipher's household.
Potipher, an officer of Pharaoh, and the captain of the guard, placed Joseph in charge of all that he owned under his authority. One problem, Potipher's wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her. In spite of her advances, he kept refusing. On one occasion she grabbed his clothes and begged him to come to bed. He did escape by tearing out of his clothes, leaving her holding his garment, the evidence she used against him. When Potipher came home she falsely accused Joseph of coming on to her. Potipher saw the garment in her hand and threw Joseph in jail. It's the stuff of soap operas.
OBSERVATION
On the surface it would appear that Joseph suffered misfortune...sold as a slave, falsely accused and thrown in jail. But in reality God was working behind the scenes in His life.
Joseph was a dreamer. In one particular dream, he dreamt his father, mother and brothers would bow down to him. To make family matters worse he shared this dreams with them. His brothers had enough, by the way he was also his father's favorite, and decided to get rid of him. Instead of killing him, their original plan, they sold him to slave traders. He eventually ended up a slave in Potipher's household.
Potipher, an officer of Pharaoh, and the captain of the guard, placed Joseph in charge of all that he owned under his authority. One problem, Potipher's wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her. In spite of her advances, he kept refusing. On one occasion she grabbed his clothes and begged him to come to bed. He did escape by tearing out of his clothes, leaving her holding his garment, the evidence she used against him. When Potipher came home she falsely accused Joseph of coming on to her. Potipher saw the garment in her hand and threw Joseph in jail. It's the stuff of soap operas.
OBSERVATION
On the surface it would appear that Joseph suffered misfortune...sold as a slave, falsely accused and thrown in jail. But in reality God was working behind the scenes in His life.
- God was the reason he attained a position of power in Potipher's house: "The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master." (Gen. 39:2)
- Even in prison, God was the reason he was placed in charge of all the prisoners. "The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." (Gen. 39:21)
Meanwhile, Pharaoh began having some pretty vivid dreams and needed someone to interpret them. Joseph's dreaming ability, which got him in trouble in the first place, was the reason he was released from prison. Pharaoh heard about Joesph's ability to hear a dream and interpret it. However, Joseph did not take the credit for himself. "'I am not able to," Joseph answered Pharaoh, 'It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.'" (Gen. 41:16)
So, throughout Joesph's life the hand of God was with him. In the well, in the slave traders' caravan, in Potipher's house, and in prison, it was God's hand that made the difference. On the surface it looked like he was the victim of his circumstances. But God turned them around and used them for good. Joseph's brothers eventually came to Egypt to buy food because there was a severe famine in the land. In a sense, they did bow down to him. Joseph summarized his experience this way, "You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result--the survival of many people." (Gen. 50:20)
APPLICATION
God's plans never fail. He can take a bad situation and bring about good results. Joseph's life is a testimony to the power of the plans of God. Being a follower of Jesus does not mean that we have to view every event as good. We do find ourselves in some bad places. But in those places we can still find a good God who can bring about good things. What good plans is He bringing about in your life, even though circumstances may be bad?
PRAYER
Persistant Praying
SCRIPTURE
"He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged." (Luke 18:1)
OBSERVATION
Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept approaching a judge (a man who neither feared God nor respected people) for justice against her adversary. The judge granted her request so she didn't wear him out by her persistent asking. Basically he gave her what she wanted so she would go away.
Jesus contrasted this unjust judge with a just God. God will carry out justice and He does hear the prayers of His people who cry out to Him day and night.
APPLICATION
Jesus told this parable because He knew discouragement could be a possibility when we pray. It could come from those times our prayers seemingly go unanswered. Or, when we pray God seems very distant and far away. Busyness keeps us from praying. It's hard with all of the competing thoughts in our heads to maintain focus. The result of any one of these could be "why bother?"
Jesus simply reminds me to keep praying. No matter what it looks like with my eyes I can have confidence because I'm praying to a just God. Unlike people who act on a whim, He always acts in a way that is consistent with His character.
This parable is not a guarantee that God will always give me what I want. Jesus follows it by saying, "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He find that faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8). Nevertheless (even if you are persistent and God does or does not give me what I ask) I am to be persistent in prayer. That is the kind of faith Jesus is looking for. In the end it's not so much that I receive my request by that I'm faithful in requesting. God is looking for a constant dialogue with Him. The judge granted the woman her request so she would go away. God wants to keep me near and walk in relationship with Him.
Sometimes I can pray treating God like a genie in a bottle. I'll rub the bottle (pray) and He will give my what I want. God is far more concerned about my faith that granting my wishes. He's looking to develop my character and persistent praying is a way that He does just that. He's more concerned that I'll stick with Him and pray instead of getting what I want and going my own way.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to develop that kind of persistent praying that develops my character. When Jesus returns I want to have the faith that will make him proud.
"He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged." (Luke 18:1)
OBSERVATION
Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept approaching a judge (a man who neither feared God nor respected people) for justice against her adversary. The judge granted her request so she didn't wear him out by her persistent asking. Basically he gave her what she wanted so she would go away.
Jesus contrasted this unjust judge with a just God. God will carry out justice and He does hear the prayers of His people who cry out to Him day and night.
APPLICATION
Jesus told this parable because He knew discouragement could be a possibility when we pray. It could come from those times our prayers seemingly go unanswered. Or, when we pray God seems very distant and far away. Busyness keeps us from praying. It's hard with all of the competing thoughts in our heads to maintain focus. The result of any one of these could be "why bother?"
Jesus simply reminds me to keep praying. No matter what it looks like with my eyes I can have confidence because I'm praying to a just God. Unlike people who act on a whim, He always acts in a way that is consistent with His character.
This parable is not a guarantee that God will always give me what I want. Jesus follows it by saying, "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He find that faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8). Nevertheless (even if you are persistent and God does or does not give me what I ask) I am to be persistent in prayer. That is the kind of faith Jesus is looking for. In the end it's not so much that I receive my request by that I'm faithful in requesting. God is looking for a constant dialogue with Him. The judge granted the woman her request so she would go away. God wants to keep me near and walk in relationship with Him.
Sometimes I can pray treating God like a genie in a bottle. I'll rub the bottle (pray) and He will give my what I want. God is far more concerned about my faith that granting my wishes. He's looking to develop my character and persistent praying is a way that He does just that. He's more concerned that I'll stick with Him and pray instead of getting what I want and going my own way.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to develop that kind of persistent praying that develops my character. When Jesus returns I want to have the faith that will make him proud.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Lentil Soup
SCRIPTURE
When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoors man, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, exhausted. He said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I'm exhausted." That is why he was also named Edom. Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look," said Esau, "I'm about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:27-34)
OBSERVATION
Jacob and Esau were born to Isaac and Rebekah. During the pregnancy the children struggled inside of her. God told her it was because she had two nations in her womb. The older, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob. When Jacob was delivered, he came out he was grasping Esau's heel (his name means, "He Grasps the Heel.") This passage mentions the first time they struggled.
Esau was a hunter and Jacob liked to stay home. Esau came in famished from a hunt and sold his birthright, that which rightly belonged to him as the oldest, to his younger brother. He didn't sell it for money, or power, but for lentil stew. It was a pretty ridiculous thing to do for soup. Esau was exhausted and all he wanted was to have his need (hunger) met. He gave into the moment without thinking about the long term consequences. Later, when he had time to reflect, he despised his birthright. I think he realized it was a ridiculous decision but now he had to live with the consequences.
APPLICATION
Before I come down too hard on Esau I have to remember the times I've traded my birthright for even less than a bowl of stew. I have a birthright as God's adopted son. The bible says I have an inheritance waiting in heaven. Not that I've given up my entire birthright, but with every sin, every shortcut, every failed temptation test, it has been compromised. In those times I do not experience the fullness of God's life in me. That's why the writer of Hebrews warns about falling short of the grace of God and in the next verse uses Esau as an illustration (Heb. 12:15-16).
How many times, after the fact, do I look back and realize that the decision was a pretty stupid thing to do? Most every time. I can learn a valuable lesson from Esau. Don't give up the future by giving into the moment. Every decision, every choice, changes the direction of my life...for good or bad. It's easy to become near-sighted and totally focused on whatever is happening right now (I'm hungry and want soup so I'll do something foolish to get it.). However, after the fact, upon retrospection, I will despise the decision. I need to learn to despise the decision before I decide.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the lesson of Esau. Help me to see beyond the need of the moment to the path of the future. Give me the strength to maintain my birthright even in the face of temporary, in the moment, temptations.
When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoors man, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, exhausted. He said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I'm exhausted." That is why he was also named Edom. Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look," said Esau, "I'm about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:27-34)
OBSERVATION
Jacob and Esau were born to Isaac and Rebekah. During the pregnancy the children struggled inside of her. God told her it was because she had two nations in her womb. The older, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob. When Jacob was delivered, he came out he was grasping Esau's heel (his name means, "He Grasps the Heel.") This passage mentions the first time they struggled.
Esau was a hunter and Jacob liked to stay home. Esau came in famished from a hunt and sold his birthright, that which rightly belonged to him as the oldest, to his younger brother. He didn't sell it for money, or power, but for lentil stew. It was a pretty ridiculous thing to do for soup. Esau was exhausted and all he wanted was to have his need (hunger) met. He gave into the moment without thinking about the long term consequences. Later, when he had time to reflect, he despised his birthright. I think he realized it was a ridiculous decision but now he had to live with the consequences.
APPLICATION
Before I come down too hard on Esau I have to remember the times I've traded my birthright for even less than a bowl of stew. I have a birthright as God's adopted son. The bible says I have an inheritance waiting in heaven. Not that I've given up my entire birthright, but with every sin, every shortcut, every failed temptation test, it has been compromised. In those times I do not experience the fullness of God's life in me. That's why the writer of Hebrews warns about falling short of the grace of God and in the next verse uses Esau as an illustration (Heb. 12:15-16).
How many times, after the fact, do I look back and realize that the decision was a pretty stupid thing to do? Most every time. I can learn a valuable lesson from Esau. Don't give up the future by giving into the moment. Every decision, every choice, changes the direction of my life...for good or bad. It's easy to become near-sighted and totally focused on whatever is happening right now (I'm hungry and want soup so I'll do something foolish to get it.). However, after the fact, upon retrospection, I will despise the decision. I need to learn to despise the decision before I decide.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the lesson of Esau. Help me to see beyond the need of the moment to the path of the future. Give me the strength to maintain my birthright even in the face of temporary, in the moment, temptations.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Famine
SCRIPTURE
"There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine in the land was severe". (Genesis 12:10)
OBSERVATION
Abraham did a lot of traveling in Genesis 12...Haran to Canaan to Shechem to the east of Bethel, and prior to Egypt he lived in southern Israel (the Negev) where there was a severe famine. This was the first of two severe famines in the land (the second famine occurs in Genesis 26 with Isaac, Abraham's son). It's interesting that God used two famines to get his people to move. Both Abraham and Isaac had to pull up the tent stakes and move to a new place, otherwise they would have remained where they were.
APPLICATION
As I read this I couldn't help but think there is a tendency to settle in, become comfortable, and seek a routine. Spiritually, the danger that comes with all of those things is a dryness, a famine of sorts. God becomes familiar and His word no longer seems to have its power. Amos talked about a famine in the land, not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11). What do I do when I experience one of these dry times? Because they do come. I can learn a lesson from Abram...move! I can stay where I am and die or I can search for food. The spiritual food is Jesus. He is the bread of life and the living water. When I'm in those dry places I need to get back into the bible, pray, forsake sin, love God and others. The things Jesus teaches me to do. It's not fun moving but it's more dangerous to stay. My spiritual life is on the line...the end of the line is eternity. When a spiritual famine hits I go for the spiritual food...Jesus. God can use those times to unsettle me and get me to move to new places in my faith.
PRAYER
Lord, thanks for the way you feed my soul. Give me the insight of Abram to keep moving in my faith and feeding on the spiritual food and to avoid a spiritual famine.
"There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine in the land was severe". (Genesis 12:10)
OBSERVATION
Abraham did a lot of traveling in Genesis 12...Haran to Canaan to Shechem to the east of Bethel, and prior to Egypt he lived in southern Israel (the Negev) where there was a severe famine. This was the first of two severe famines in the land (the second famine occurs in Genesis 26 with Isaac, Abraham's son). It's interesting that God used two famines to get his people to move. Both Abraham and Isaac had to pull up the tent stakes and move to a new place, otherwise they would have remained where they were.
APPLICATION
As I read this I couldn't help but think there is a tendency to settle in, become comfortable, and seek a routine. Spiritually, the danger that comes with all of those things is a dryness, a famine of sorts. God becomes familiar and His word no longer seems to have its power. Amos talked about a famine in the land, not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11). What do I do when I experience one of these dry times? Because they do come. I can learn a lesson from Abram...move! I can stay where I am and die or I can search for food. The spiritual food is Jesus. He is the bread of life and the living water. When I'm in those dry places I need to get back into the bible, pray, forsake sin, love God and others. The things Jesus teaches me to do. It's not fun moving but it's more dangerous to stay. My spiritual life is on the line...the end of the line is eternity. When a spiritual famine hits I go for the spiritual food...Jesus. God can use those times to unsettle me and get me to move to new places in my faith.
PRAYER
Lord, thanks for the way you feed my soul. Give me the insight of Abram to keep moving in my faith and feeding on the spiritual food and to avoid a spiritual famine.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
What Will it Take?
SCRIPTURE
"The rest of the people, who were not killed by the plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which are not able to see, hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts". (Revelation 9:20-21)
OBSERVATION
In vivid imagery, John just described seven plagues: a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the ships destroyed, a third of the waters became bitter, terrors from the abyss, and a third of the human race killed by plagues. Talk about a little light reading for the end of the year (this was the 12/27 scripture from the Life Journal). I couldn't get this thought out of my mind, "the rest of the people...did not repent." These are the people who went through some pretty horrific events. Yet, they did not turn their lives around. If I was one of them I surely would have...or would I?
APPLICATION
As I read this I wondered, "what does it take to repent?" Not for the people in Revelation, but for myself. What is the thing that moves me to repent? I can experience heartache and hear of tragedies and natural disasters in the world but my life can find a way to go on without much change. It's as if God is shaking up the world and yet it's hard to get my attention. I've come to this conclusion: repentance has got to be my heart's response to the love of God displayed in the cross of Christ. When I understand what God did for me there, I can't help but be moved to want to respond to him. It's easy to become disillusioned, even angry with God when tragedy strikes. However, how can I become bitter when I look at the cross? I can't. I need to live a life of repentance no matter what my circumstances or what is going on in the world around me. Jesus said when he would be lifted up he would draw people to himself. It is the cross that connects me with God and motivates me to live a life pleasing to him. I guess I don't want to be one of the "rest of the people" but one of the people who finds rest in God.
PRAYER
God, thank you for the cross. The demonstration of your love. May it provide the motivation for me to live a life of repentance...going your way not mine.
"The rest of the people, who were not killed by the plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which are not able to see, hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts". (Revelation 9:20-21)
OBSERVATION
In vivid imagery, John just described seven plagues: a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the ships destroyed, a third of the waters became bitter, terrors from the abyss, and a third of the human race killed by plagues. Talk about a little light reading for the end of the year (this was the 12/27 scripture from the Life Journal). I couldn't get this thought out of my mind, "the rest of the people...did not repent." These are the people who went through some pretty horrific events. Yet, they did not turn their lives around. If I was one of them I surely would have...or would I?
APPLICATION
As I read this I wondered, "what does it take to repent?" Not for the people in Revelation, but for myself. What is the thing that moves me to repent? I can experience heartache and hear of tragedies and natural disasters in the world but my life can find a way to go on without much change. It's as if God is shaking up the world and yet it's hard to get my attention. I've come to this conclusion: repentance has got to be my heart's response to the love of God displayed in the cross of Christ. When I understand what God did for me there, I can't help but be moved to want to respond to him. It's easy to become disillusioned, even angry with God when tragedy strikes. However, how can I become bitter when I look at the cross? I can't. I need to live a life of repentance no matter what my circumstances or what is going on in the world around me. Jesus said when he would be lifted up he would draw people to himself. It is the cross that connects me with God and motivates me to live a life pleasing to him. I guess I don't want to be one of the "rest of the people" but one of the people who finds rest in God.
PRAYER
God, thank you for the cross. The demonstration of your love. May it provide the motivation for me to live a life of repentance...going your way not mine.
The Bible is Not a Textbook
SCRIPTURE
The Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven't seen His form. You don't have His word living in you, because you don't believe the One He sent. You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. And you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5:37-40)
OBSERVATION
Jesus leveled some of his harshest criticism at the religious leaders of the day. In this paragraph he is reprimanding them because they did not recognize who he was. They were experts in the Bible (Old Testament)...the very books that prophesied about his coming. Yet, they were unwilling to follow him so they would have life. They were looking for life in knowing the scripture rather than in knowing him. Ironically, it was in knowing him that the scripture would live in their lives.
APPLICATION
I remember the warnings throughout bible college, "Don't let the bible become a textbook." It's easy to do--study it, memorize it, know it from cover to cover. It is possible while gathering all the knowledge to miss the One to whom the bible points...Jesus. I even read recently that there are atheistic bible scholars who know the bible inside and out just to disprove its veracity and Jesus historicity. I have to remember the bible is the means not the end. It points me to Christ. Yes, it contains all I need to know for faith, but acquiring the knowledge is not the goal. Falling in love with Jesus is. I need to move the bible from my head to my heart, where it affects my life and my love of Christ. This year I need to guard against just knowing facts and use the bible to fuel my faith as I follow Jesus. I need to study, memorize, and know the bible so I can know more of him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see Jesus in the bible. May it fuel my faith and my relationship with Christ. Help the words to move from my head to my heart and out into my life.
The Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven't seen His form. You don't have His word living in you, because you don't believe the One He sent. You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. And you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5:37-40)
OBSERVATION
Jesus leveled some of his harshest criticism at the religious leaders of the day. In this paragraph he is reprimanding them because they did not recognize who he was. They were experts in the Bible (Old Testament)...the very books that prophesied about his coming. Yet, they were unwilling to follow him so they would have life. They were looking for life in knowing the scripture rather than in knowing him. Ironically, it was in knowing him that the scripture would live in their lives.
APPLICATION
I remember the warnings throughout bible college, "Don't let the bible become a textbook." It's easy to do--study it, memorize it, know it from cover to cover. It is possible while gathering all the knowledge to miss the One to whom the bible points...Jesus. I even read recently that there are atheistic bible scholars who know the bible inside and out just to disprove its veracity and Jesus historicity. I have to remember the bible is the means not the end. It points me to Christ. Yes, it contains all I need to know for faith, but acquiring the knowledge is not the goal. Falling in love with Jesus is. I need to move the bible from my head to my heart, where it affects my life and my love of Christ. This year I need to guard against just knowing facts and use the bible to fuel my faith as I follow Jesus. I need to study, memorize, and know the bible so I can know more of him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see Jesus in the bible. May it fuel my faith and my relationship with Christ. Help the words to move from my head to my heart and out into my life.
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