Title: Weightless Living/Topic: God's Comfort

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Scripture: Psalm 68:19
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

Observation/Application: I love this verse. God bears our burdens daily. That is a Savior worth loving and serving! When life seems too heavy, I can come and let him carry the weight of all my cares, sorrows and stress. I can live a “weightless” life if I will pray and give all my burdens into his hands and worship him. The choice is mine; to bear my burdens all on my own or to come to Jesus and ask him to bear them for me, to wallow in worry or to receive comfort from his Spirit.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for dying so that I may live, for suffering so that I can be comforted. May I honor your sacrifice for me by appropriating the peace that was purchased for me at such a dear price. I love you my dear, precious Lord. Without you my life would not be worth living. With you it is glorious!
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: My Maker and Me /Topic: Self-Esteem

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture: Psalm 139:14-17
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Observation: I think of Psalm 139 as the “self-esteem” chapter. If we really knew that the Creator of all the universe conceived us in his mind and oversaw us being put together, we would value ourselves more. If we truly understood how precious we are to him and how much he thinks of us would not struggle so much with feeling loved. Our society wants us to believe we were a “cosmic accident” and then also to believe that we have great value. Those two beliefs don't jive well together.

Application: I need to reaffirm often the truths contained in this Psalm. I need to teach these truths to all the young people God has put in my life. We need to be thankful for what God has done, how wonderfully and carefully he made us and how much he is personally concerned for us.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for making me as I am. Help me to value and take good care of this body you have made for me. I am grateful for your love and all your thoughts toward me. May I bring honor and joy to the heart of my Heavenly Father.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Two Lessons/Topic: Focus and Perseverance

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture: Matthew 15:24-26
24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

Observation: This response of Jesus to the Canaanite woman has always bothered me because it seems harsh as well as out of character. After all, he did come to bring light and salvation to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews, and this woman was a Gentile who needed help. Her wise response does get him to act on her behalf but the first response he gave her seems unnecessarily condescending and dismissive. But she was undeterred and persevered to get what she wanted.

Application: I think Jesus was demonstrating what it means to be focused. He had been given a mission from God and was not going to let anything distract him. The lesson: Make sure you do what God has told you to do without letting other things, even good things, distract you. From the woman we can learn something else: Persevere in seeking what you want and refuse to be offended or discouraged by a brusque response.

Prayer: Father, I need to take to heart both of these lessons. You know that I have been a person who has been easily distracted and also one who tends to give up if I don't get the response I'm looking for. I want to be like this woman was; strong and determined. Your Spirit in me makes me all that I need to be. I embrace the change and thank you for your transforming power.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Inquiring Minds/Topic: Guidance

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Scripture: 2 Samuel 2:1
1 In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered.

Observation: This verse contains the secret of David's success. He “inquired of the Lord” before making decisions (at least most of the time) and when he received a word from God, he obeyed it.

Application: I need to stop and pray more often than I do. Sometimes I only pray about the “big” things or the things I am in some confusion over. God wants to be involved in my whole life. I used to make fun of people who prayed about which toothpaste to buy and other such trivial matters, but while that may be extreme, I could do with erring more on that in that direction.

Prayer: Father, I want to be a child who seeks your advise and counsel often. Attend to my prayers O Lord, and guide me in your paths, for they are the way of life, health, joy and success. Thank you for being such a caring Father.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Amazing Response/Topic: Respect

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:11,12
11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Observation: I have always found David's attitude toward Saul amazing. Saul had been pursuing David for years, trying to kill him. As a result, David had been forced to live as a fugitive, away from his home and family. But when he gets the news that his enemy Saul is dead, he mourns him and speaks of him with great respect. Even though Saul was his enemy without cause, David had respect for Saul's position of authority as king. He never did anything to harm or disrespect him.

Application: This kind of respect is so rare today. Oh that we would revere our leaders as David did, even when their faults are quite visible to the public. I often hear Christians, who tend to be conservative, bemoan and deride the liberals who lampoon and slander President Bush, but I remember Christians doing the same thing to Bill Clinton when he was president. Bill Clinton was no more immoral than King Saul was in his day. We need to take a page out of David's book and respect the position of those in authority even when we don't agree with their values.

Prayer: Father,give me a pure heart in this matter. May I respect those in authority while at the same time working to make sure that our leaders are moral and integrious in their behavior.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: “Under My Thumb”/Topic: Spirit of Control

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture: Matthew 12:13, 22-24, 38
13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."

Observation: The Pharisees and other religious leaders want to see a miraculous sign from Jesus? They had already seen plenty of that! No, what they want is to control Jesus. They want him to be subject to them and only to do what they say should be done. When Jesus did miraculous signs they were upset because he did them without their permission and in a way that conflicted with their legalistic religious rules.

Application: The spirit of control is as alive and well today as it was in Jesus' time. We all need to watch ourselves. If we always have a need to control the behavior of others we are operating in dangerous territory. The need to be in control of others seems to have a direct correlation with the amount of rebellion in a person's heart.

Prayer: I want to voluntarily commit myself to your control, Lord. You will never abuse it or use it to damage me. Reveal to me any spirit of control that has gripped my heart so that I may repent of it. The need to be in control shows a lack of trust in you and most often, a rebellious spirit. I want none of it. I submit to you, my Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: You Can't Please Everyone/Topic: Self-Justification

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 28; 1 Samuel 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19
16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Observation/Application: There is no pleasing those who are self-righteous. If you don't "dance to their tune" they will always find something wrong with your behavior. They called Jesus a glutton and a drunkard because he ate and drank with “sinners” and they said John the Baptist was demon-possessed because he didn't drink and eat with others. Those who want to justify themselves and reject the truth of God will always find a way to do so, usually by trying to discredit the behavior of people who are truly seeking the Lord.

Bottom line: Make sure you are pleasing God and don't worry about what others say about you.

Prayer: Father, Let me be discerning of your truth and act in accordance with it. As long as I please you I will be happy. Keep me from the judgmental attitude of the Pharisees who always found a way to reject anyone who didn't dance to their tune.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: All Night Long/Topic: Praise and Protection

pLEASE EXCUSE THE ABSENCE OF MY BLOG FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS. i WAS OUT OF TOWN. i AM HAPPY TO BE BACK AND RESUMING DISCUSSING THE WORD OF GOD WITH YOU.

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 9:26, 27, 1 Chronicles 9:33
26 But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. 27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.
33 Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.

Observation: There were two jobs so important in the temple that the Levites who performed those duties had to spend the night in the temple. Gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the entrances to the house of God and for making sure its treasuries and contents were secure. They made sure that the resources of the temple were kept for the use of the people of God and that nothing unholy entered the sanctuary. The head musicians were responsible for maintaining worship and praise 24/7. Someone was always praising God, even while some slept. Continual vigilance to keep out enemies and continual praise ascending to heaven was happening.

Application: Where are our “gatekeepers” today? Do we have those that habitually pray for protection from evil spirits coming through the doors of our church? Do we have those that set a guard of angelic spirits around our gatherings so that the Spirit can minister without interference from the enemy? We need to be those who “guard our gates” with prayer. Are we constantly in an attitude of worship? Apparently God placed great importance on it. I need to take on these responsibilities as serious and joyful duties. As I establish a protected atmosphere through worship and prayer the Spirit will be able to move freely among us all in the church without the interference of the enemy whispering lies and deception into peoples' ears.

Prayer: Father, help me and all the other leaders at our church to take on the responsibilities of gatekeeping and worship. May we establish an environment where your Spirit is free to do all the work you want to do unhindered by evil spirits. Move among us in power. Release miraculous healings, signs, wonders and provision to us in the strong and matchless name of Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Unlikely Candidates/Topic: God's Grace

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Matthew 6

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1,2
1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

Observation: Look at the people who came to support David; those in distress, in debt or who were discontented. Not your select group of candidates for anything! In my experience, working with people who are discontented to begin with is nothing but a headache! They usually do nothing but criticize and complain. But this is the group that David becomes the leader of. And they end up becoming his leaders when he finally becomes king.

Application: If God can use this rag-tag group of people and turn them from whiners and complainers and victims to loyal, strong leaders, then he can use anyone. Anyone who is willing to stick with God and trust him through all kinds of situations can be made into a person of great worth and value, a leader worth following.

Prayer: Father, thank you for working with me to change me for the better. Help me to see and focus on the potential in others. I want to be used by you to help bring about transformation in the lives of anyone who wants it. Re-make me on an ongoing basis and help me to mentor others in that process as well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Heart of the Matter/Topic: Holiness

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Observation/Application: In the entire Sermon on the Mount Jesus is expounding on what living a holy life really entails. He challenges the previously held notions of what that looks like in behavior and attitudes. Love isn't perfect until it is extended to your enemies as well as to your friends. Adultery starts with a lustful look at a woman who isn't your wife. Murder starts with an attitude of hate toward another. He condemns the attitudes that lead to sin as much as the sin itself. He gets to the heart of the problem of sin and tells us to deal with it there. We cannot excuse ourselves just because we don't act on the immoral attitude. Our thoughts must be holy if we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.

Prayer: Your ways are perfect Lord, and I want to be perfect as you are. I know this is your desire for me as well. Empower me by the Spirit to discern my heart and to repent and correct my attitudes whenever and wherever necessary. I cannot do this without your Light shining in my life. I am blind without it. Help me to live and to love as you do.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Under the Shadow/Topic: God's Protection

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:18-24
18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 19 Word came to Saul: "David is in Naioth at Ramah"; 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied. 21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" "Over in Naioth at Ramah," they said.
23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

Observation: Can there be a better picture of being protected by the presence of God than this story? It brings to my mind the phrase out of Psalms where David speaks of being “under the shadow of thy wings” as he is praising the Lord. God makes even the people seeking David's life to fall under his presence as they approach the place where David and Samuel, along with others, are prophesying. Saul even strips off his kingly robes, setting aside the signs of his earthly office of authority. Only the Lord is honored as King in this gathering!

Application: There is such power and protection for me when I remain in the presence of God, especially with others who are also abiding in that same place. I need to foster that in my life and the lives of others. As God's people, we should be always seeking and expecting that the Spirit will be in our midst covering us in the shadow of His wings.

Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to us. It is the means by which we sense that you are with us! May I, as well as all your people, live in such a way that we experience your Presence with us all the time.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: God's Favorite Fruit/Topic: Repentance

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Observation: John's reaction to the spiritual leaders of the day coming to where he was baptizing people was intensely negative. Why? They were full of spiritual arrogance and did not feel any need to repent. John confronts the source of their arrogance, their pride in their spiritual “pedigree”, and tells them that it is worthless. He makes it clear that God is only interested in those who produce good fruit (referencing his earlier comment about baptism being only for those who have repentant hearts).

Application: There will always be spiritually arrogant people who gather around anything new that God is doing and try to either use it for their own advantage or be dismissive of it. Anyone who does not “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” is to be confronted and avoided. This story is also a severe warning to watch my own heart and make sure I do not fall into the trap of becoming spiritually arrogant. Just because God has used me in the past (my “pedigree”) doesn't mean I am qualified to lead others. My heart must stay humble if I want a close relationship with God or to be of use in teaching others.

Prayer: Father, I have seen many good leaders that once were close to you fall away because they lost their humility and became arrogant due to spiritual “success”. They started focusing on what you had done through them instead of what you were still wanting to do in them. Keep me focused in the present Lord, and on being constantly more conformed to your image. What matters is what is in my heart and I want my heart to stay humble.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Choosing the Right Weapons/Topic: Spoiritual Warfare

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38, 39, 45
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off.

45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

Observation: David understands that he cannot win the battle against Goliath with traditional weapons. If God isn't going to fight with him, he will lose. He has no hope of using greater physical strength to win. But he trusts God WILL fight with him.

Application: This battle in the real world presents a picture of how we must do battle. We can never win spiritual battles with earthly weapons no matter how good they are. And like David, we need to recognize that many of the real world battles that we face have spiritual forces behind them. If we don't recognize that we will try to use only earthly means to come out victorious and we will fail. Prayer is so important. We need discernment, protection and wisdom from God to be victorious in life.

Prayer: Father, help me to stop and pray when I am in rough circumstances or facing difficulties with people. So often I don't really see what is going on. I need your insight and wisdom. Protect me and be my defender. Only with you will I be able to win life's battles.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Self-Justified, Self-Deceived/Topic: Compromise

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:17-21
17 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' 19 Why did you not obey the LORD ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD ?"
20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

Observation: Saul had very clear instructions from God. He was to totally destroy the Amalekites; every person and every animal. When confronted with his disobedience his first tactic is denial. “But I did obey the Lord”, he protests. He gives a very spiritual sounding reason for the “exceptions” he made to God's command. Samuel calls Saul's bluff and exposes his disobedience and Saul finally admits to his sin. But his confession does not really include repentance because he asks Samuel to still honor him in front of the people. He is more concerned about his image with others than he is that he disobeyed God. The consequences are that the Spirit of the Lord leaves him forever.

Application: Saul's problems began when he lost his humility and began to “think of himself more highly than he ought”. He began to make small compromises that led to bigger and bigger ones, all the while justifying them instead of repenting of them. He really had a difficult time admitting he was wrong. I have to guard against those same attitudes in my life. Any time I hear myself making justifications for mistakes instead of simply admitting them I need to stop and take a hard look at what is happening. It is easy to become self-deceived when we become adept at justifying ourselves.

Prayer: Father, keep me clear in my thinking. May I never justify sin or twist your words to fit my own agenda. It always leads to disaster. May I remain humble before you and be more concerned about what you think of me than what others think of me. May I be quick to confess and repent. Thank you for your grace and your kindness which leads us to repentance.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Reverse the Curse/Topic: Identity

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9,10
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, [c] saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Observation: The mother of Jabez had given him a life-long negative label by naming him “pain”. How often do parents, either inadvertently or on purpose, put negative labels on their kids that form their identity in a negative way! It is difficult to overcome those messages that we are given in childhood. They often hamstring us from reaching our potential in adulthood. Jabez does exactly the right thing. He prays to the Lord to be free fro his label of being a person of pain. And God granted his request. I love that! God always wants to set us free from the things that hinder us from functioning in his image.

Application: I can so relate to Jabez. I had a lot of “curses” put on me as a child that I have struggled with as an adult. I need to reverse the curse by asking and receiving God's deliverance. It's much better and more effective than years of psychotherapy.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for being one who is our deliverer in every way. You have set me free from much of the negative labeling I received in my childhood but I still have more. Sometimes it takes me awhile to even recognize it because it is such a part of me. Show me all of my garbage that I may bring it to you for a holy clean-up. Rid me of all of the self-destructive thoughts that I have about myself.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Second Guessing God/Topic: Obedience

PLEASE EXCUSE MY ABSENCE IN POSTING FOR THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS. i WAS OUT OF TOWN AND DID NOT HAVE MY COMPUTER WITH ME. THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING.

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2; 1 Chronicles 3; 2 Corinthians 12

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:7-11
Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. 9 So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. [e] " And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.
11 "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12 I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

Observation: When God has given clear instructions and promises and then things don''t go well, it's easy to let fear or doubt get the best of us and take matters into our own hands. Saul did just that. He worked out his own solution to the problem he was facing. He got impatient and didn't wait for God to do as he said he would do. He even justified his disobedience with a spiritual sounding reason when Samuel confronted him with his foolishness.

Application: Faith is demonstrated when I hang on to what God has told me through his Word and the confirmation of other leaders and the Holy Spirit. When I have such confirmation I need to obey and wait for God to act. To act on my own is guaranteed to create problems. And those problems can have long-lasting ramifications (remember Sarah not waiting for God to give her an heir and the subsequent birth of Ishmael as a result. The results are still being felt in the animosity between the Arabs and the Jews).

Prayer: Help me to be patient, Lord, and to wait for you to act in your time. I don't want to be guilty of creating my own solution and having to live with the results. May I always be faithful to you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: God Can be a Pain in the Butt/Topic: Judgment

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 4; 1 Samuel 5; Psalm 77; 2 Corinthians 8

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:9,10
9 But after they had moved it, the LORD's hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. [b] 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.

Observation: The enemies of the Lord had captured the ark of God and placed it in the temple of their idol god as a trophy; a sign that their god was greater than Jehovah God. But the Lord had a few surprises in store for them. He not only put their god prostrate on its face before the ark but afflicted the people with tumors. The word “tumors” in the Hebrew dictionary is hemorrhoids. God literally made himself a pain in the butt to the Phillistines. God promises rest to his people and I think it is poetic justice that these people are put into a kind of discomfort that makes rest just about impossible. God sometimes has a real sense of humor about getting his point across.

Application: Honor God if you want to have a good life. He gives us rest and makes it easy to eliminate waste from our lives. The Phillistines experienced what it is like to be on the Lord's bad side and have neither of these.

Prayer: Father, keep me close to you. I don't want to have to learn things the hard way. Please, no pain in the butt for me! Thank you for your love and protection.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Father's Failure/Topic: Priorities

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12, 22-24, 29-30
12 Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.

22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 23 So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD's people.

29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'
30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

Observation: The above verses are highlights of a very sad story. Eli, whether out of laziness or loving his sons too much to punish them or some other reason, refuses to correct their sinful behavior. They are priests who represent God to the people and Eli's failure as a father has resulted in many people harboring resentment toward serving God. Eli needed to remove his sons from their priestly office until they repented of their evil behavior instead of giving them a verbal rebuke only. Eli, even knowing what his sons were doing, still ate some of the offering meat that was stolen wrongfully from the people by his sons and by doing so, passively accepted their behavior. As a result, a prophet came and told Eli that his sons would be killed. Notice in verse 30 that God even changes his mind about what he had promised Eli about his family because of Eli's refusal to properly discipline his sons. God is faithful but most of his promises to us are conditional. If we fail to do as he says, he is under no obligation to continue his blessings to us.

Application: I need to have my priorities in order. God comes first, then family. I cannot afford to put my family and their approval of me or affection for me above God's approval of me. If I do, then ultimately both my family and I will suffer. As with Eli, if I don't do right, many others may suffer as well. If anyone I love is making choices in rebellion to God, I must stand by God, even if it means alienation from my loved ones.

Prayer: Help me Lord to be a parent with the proper priorities in my life. I want to be an example of right living to everyone who knows me. Bless me as I serve you so that all who watch me may know that putting you first is the best way to live even though it is sometimes difficult. Intimacy with you and living under your hand of blessing is worth any momentary hardships in this life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Earth, God's Canvas/Topic: Beauty of the Lord

Today’s Reading: Ruth 3; Ruth 4; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 6

Scripture: Psalm 61:11-13
11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Observation: What beautiful poetry! It causes me to stop and meditate on the beauty of the Lord, his goodness, generosity and creative artistry. When I read these words I think of the autumn harvest and the brilliant colors that God splashes on the earth as he dresses all the foliage in their fall finery. He paints the landscape and allows us to enjoy the fellowship of family and friends around tables laden with the bounty of the earth. Then he begins a new canvas, putting the earth in a deep slumber before he resurrects the world again in spring, giving us a yearly reminder of the glory that is held in store for us as we put our hope and trust in him.

Prayer: God, you are so good, so magnificent and so kind to us. May I never lose my ability to revel in the wonder and majesty of your creation. You are by far the most gifted of artists and the inspiration for all others who call themselves such. Thank you, thank you, thank you for surrounding us with your glory.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Drawn by Love/Topic: Godly Character

Today’s Reading: Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Psalm 53; Psalm 61; 2 Corinthians 5

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-18
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Observation: I love this passage where Ruth is declaring her love to her mother-in-law. Ruth loves Naomi so much that she willingly gives up her own family and religion to follow Naomi to a strange land to live out the rest of her days. Naomi must have had much love and godly character emanating from her to engender such love and devotion on the part of Ruth.

Application: I think of my own dear mother-in-law whenever I read this story. She accepted me and loved me right away when I married into her family. She was a mentor to me in how to be a good and godly woman,wife, and mother. I am so grateful to her. I want to have that same character that draws others to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, may I demonstrate such integrity and love for you that it would draw all of my family and others whose lives I am privileged to touch and influence to a deeper relationship with you. No matter how I am treated, may I always treat others with respect and love. Help me to reflect your character to my children-in-law as my sweet mother-in-law did to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Consequences of a Leadership Vaccuum/Topic: Leadership

Today’s Reading: Judges 19; Judges 20; Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4

Scripture: Judges 21:25
25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

Observation: This phrase is repeated a couple of times in the book of Judges. I dislike reading the book of Judges because it is one vile story after another of how depraved and wicked men can be. This phrase seems to be the writer's explanation as to the reason all these horrible things were happening. There was no central leadership that the people looked to and everyone did just what they wanted to do with no consideration as to how their actions would affect anyone else.

Application: As much as we value independence and individual rights, this book shows what happens when there are no restraints at all on people. It's ugly! Our sin nature takes over and we become completely self-centered. We need leadership and we need restraints on personal freedom to survive as a society.

Prayer: Father, help us all to embrace your commands. They teach us to love you and to treat others as we want to be treated, with love, kindness and respect. May we pray for our leaders and submit to them for our own good. Thank you for putting limits on us that give us the opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Rewarding Evil/Topic: Values

Today’s Reading: Judges 17; Judges 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3

Scripture: Judges 17:1-2
1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it." Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!"

Observation: This is such a strange story! It goes to show how twisted people's values can get when a society lives with everyone doing as he sees fit with no understanding of submitting to God. This mother actually rewards her son for admitting that he stole from her! Instead of being appalled at his actions and punishing his moral depravity, she gives him back what he stole. There is no value in confession when you know it will be celebrated as a glorious thing and there will be no negative repercussions for anything bad that you did.

Application: It is a dangerous thing to honor what is dishonorable. It promotes evil and creates arrogance in people. The Bible is full of examples that are warnings to us and we need to heed them.

Prayer: Father, help us to promote true righteousness and call evil exactly what it is---evil! Thank you for the instruction in your Word. May we heed the warnings and wisdom that it contains.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Confirming Faith/Topic: Words

Today’s Reading: Judges 13; Judges 14; Judges 15; Judges 16; 2 Corinthians 2

Scripture: Judges 13:12
12 So Manoah asked him, "When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy's life and work?"

Observation: Manoah spoke to the angel of the Lord with words of faith and not doubt. Notice he said to the angel,”When your words are fulfilled...” not “If your words are fulfilled...”, indidcating an expectation that their fulfillment was a certainty. He confirmed his faith with his words.

Application: There is a verse in Mark 11:24 which says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”. I need to learn to speak in accordance with what I believe to be true. A friend of mine once said that our mouths are are the guage of our faith. If what we say with our words doesn't line up with what we believe, then we aren't fully convinced that what we say we believe is true. My speech and my belief need to be in alignment in order for me to receive all the manifestation of God's promises to me.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I know things to be true in my head from reading your Word but I am not yet convinced in my heart of the truth of those things. I can tell that because my words express doubt and don't line up with what I say I believe. Help me to be congruent in all things and to align myself fully with the truth in your Word. I want to see your glory manifested in all kinds of signs, wonders, and miracles. Work in me until my words, my heart and my head are all in agreement so that my faith grows and manifests itself in seeing your will done on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Contrasts in Speech/Topic: Power of the Tongue

Today’s Reading: Judges 11; Judges 12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1

Scripture: Psalm 50:19-23
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:
23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.

Observation: Two ways of speaking are contrasted in these verses and the consequences of each kind of speech are laid out by God. First, there are those who use there tongue to speak against their brothers and for deceit. They will receive rebuke from God. Then there are those who are thankful. They praise God and express gratitude to him and the result is that they prepare the way for God to do wonderful things on their behalf.

Application: The words we speak bring life or death to us. We can use them in ways that bring God to our aid or set him against us. I need to really think before I speak. I especially need to be careful about how I talk about others when they aren't present. I want to speak in a way that makes others know that I am grateful to God for everything good in my life.

Prayer: Help me Father, to watch my tongue. Forgive me for the times, and there are far too many of them, when I have spoken foolishly or negatively. May I honor you with my words and put myself in a place where I can experience your full blessing on my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.