Title: Contrasting Attitudes/Topic: True Spirituality

Today’s Reading: Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 6; Psalm 86; Titus 1

Scripture: Amos 4:4,5; Psalm 86:1,2,11
4 "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. 5 Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings— boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do," declares the Sovereign LORD.
1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Observation: It is interesting to contrast the attitudes of the people of Israel in Amos with the attitude of David expressed in the Psalm. God is speaking through Amos about the spiritually proud attitude of the nation and he notes that they love to be involved in their religious practices of worship; tithing, worshiping and offering. They brag about how spiritual they are. In their minds they are just fine with God. But God is not fine with them. He declares that though they brag about their religious conduct, they sin and do whatever pleases them without regard for how the Lord says they should be living. In contrast, David prays to God with the attitude of a learner. He is humble before God and doesn't assume that his personal holiness makes him deserving of any particular praise. His focus is not on how holy or righteous he is but on how he can become even more like God.

Application: Since God described David as “a man after God's own heart”, I want to be like he was. I want to be humble before God, expressing my love, devotion and trust in him without an arrogant attitude that I am superior to others in my spirituality because I go to church regularly, tithe, and worship God. What counts is my character. If I am engaging in sin such as harboring bitterness and unforgiveness toward others, gossiping, lust, gluttony, arrogance, I am missing the point completely about what it means to truly be a spiritual person.

Prayer: Father, keep me from any arrogance or feeling of superiority toward others that would dishonor you. I want to be a learner and a seeker of you until the day I leave this life and join you in heaven. May I always keep a humble and teachable spirit. I love you and thank you for your grace in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Real Life Happens/Topic: Perspective

Today’s Reading: Amos 1; Amos 2; Amos 3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 4

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18
9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen

Observation: Paul is speaking about common problems and his responses to them in these verses. All these same things will happen to us as we serve the Lord. Here is the litany of what he is dealing with and his perspective on them:
1) Someone he loves and has ministered with closely deserts Paul, and his faith, to go live a worldly life. Paul's response is to focus on those still with him that are serving the Lord. He doesn't wallow in grief. 2) He speaks of someone outside the church who did him great harm and opposed the work of the gospel that Paul was doing. Paul's response: He warns others to be aware of him but leaves judgment to God. He doesn't take revenge or spend time trying to “get even”. 3) He experiences going through a great trial alone. Paul's response is to immediately forgive and not hold a grudge against them and then to praise God for always being there for him and being his rescuer.

Application: Paul's perspectives and responses to these situations should be our guide when we face similar situations.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I spend far too much time grieving over injustices that happen in my life. I need to keep remembering that I have you on my side always and that is enough to cause me to praise you through everything. Help me to remember that and to keep that perspective on things. There is too much positive work to be done to waste a moment in grieving over things I cannot change. Keep me growing in and focused on you and I leave all my other problems (and other people's) in your capable hands. I choose to rejoice in you through everything.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Courting Confusion/Topic: Deception

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 13; 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:13
13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Observation: The interesting part of this verse is the last phrase, “deceiving and being deceived”. Those who use deception, lies, and half-truths in their relationships with others usually think they are being smart and manipulating situations to their benefit by engaging in these practices. They believe they are “pulling the wool” over others' eyes. They may be doing so, but they are ignorant of the truth of this scripture. Those that deceive others and don't live in truth will themselves be deceived. They court confusion in their thinking by not living in truth. In my experience, those that use deception usually think they are smarter than others and that they can spot a lie a mile away. They are wrong. They actually become unable to discern truth very well and are easily swayed in their opinions by others because they lose the ability to reason from principle. They get caught in their own web of lies and don't even recognize it.

Application: Live in truth! Don't try to manipulate situations by even shading the truth a little bit. Truth is one of the pieces of spiritual armor mentioned in Ephesians. Put it on every day and don't let it go. Your mind will be clear and you will be able to discern truth if you refuse to engage in deceiving others.

Prayer: Father, show us when we stray even a little bit from the path of truth. Keep us strong in your Spirit and give us clear, unconfused minds so that we may live boldly and confidently.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Praying the Future into Existence/Topic: Prayer of Faith

Today’s Reading: Jonah 1; Jonah 2; Jonah 3; Jonah 4; 2 Timothy 2

Scripture: Jonah 2:1,2
1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave [a] I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

Observation: It is fascinating to note that Jonah prays as if God has already delivered him from the belly of the fish while he is still inside the fish! He is praying as if what he wants to happen has already happened. The entire prayer in Chapter 2 is prayed in the past tense with a statement of thanksgiving for deliverance at the end. It is after Jonah finishes praying that God has the fish vomit Jonah out onto the beach.

Application: Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This prayer of Jonah's is an example of doing just that. It is praying as if the future answer you want has already been received. Can you imagine what our world would be like and what would be accomplished for God if the Church would learn to pray this way? There is one cautionary note which I would like to add. There are times when we do not know what the will of the Lord is. We need to seek his face at those times and not pray presumptuously for what we want. But God does give us the keys of the kingdom and commands us to pray in faith, believing we will receive it.

Prayer: Father, help us to appropriate the power you have given us to establish your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. May we be bold in our praying, knowing that you are the one who has declared us to be priests and kings with you. Thank you for the trust and power you give us to partnership with you in making things right here on earth through our prayers.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Repentance, Reward, and Renewal/Topic: Fasting and Prayer

Today’s Reading: Joel 1; Joel 2; Joel 3; 2 Timothy 1

Scripture: Joel 2:12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 26, 27
12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.
16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
19 The LORD will reply [a] to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.

Observation: We often want our society, our churches and ourselves to change but feel helpless to accomplish those changes. Sometimes we even wonder where God is when we see so little transformation taking place. But Joel gives us a plan and progression for transformational change that has the promise of God connected to it. He calls the people of God to a holy fast for the purpose of prayer. There are steps here: 1) Rend your hearts; repent for your own sin and the sins of the church and society. 2) This call to prayer and fasting involves the whole “assembly” or church. It's not an individual effort; everyone participates. 3) People must be willing to give up their normal activities and focus on seeking God's intervention (let the bridegroom leave his chamber,etc.) 4) The Lord promises to answer with abundant provision for what his people need. This promise of change and restoration is based on all the people repenting and seeking God for change.

Application: If the pastor called the church to this kind of prayer and fasting, how many would bre willing to put aside their TV, golf, on-line gaming, or recreational reading time to participate? Do we care enough about our own spiritual growth and condition to do this? Do we care enough about the lost in our community to pray this way? I am convinced we could see miraculous changes if we would commit ourselves to this. But are we willing to? Has recreation and control of our own leisure time become too much of an idol in our lives to move us to action?

Prayer: Father, work in our hearts and reveal to us our lack of passion for you. May your people, who are called by your Name, humble themselves and pray and give up food for a short time to focus on seeking your face for change. I don't want the status quo anymore. I want to see you move in power and bring many to a saving knowledge of grace. I want to see our families whole and restored. Oh move in our hearts so that we will move mountains as we fast and pray together to see your kingdom established here on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Carnal Connections/Topic: Partnership

PLEASE EXCUSE MY ABSENCE IN BLOGGING OVER THE LAST 10 DAYS. i HAVE SIMPLY BEEN BUSY.

Title: Carnal Connections/Topic: Partnership
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3
1 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love [a](Or and make alliances with)
those who hate the LORD ? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."
Observation: Scriptures are replete with warnings about partnering with others who do not love the Lord. Proverbs has many warnings regarding close connections with ungodly people, whether those connections be close friendships, business partnerships, or marriage. The New Testament also strongly echoes this in 2 Corinthians 6:14 when it commands believers to not be “yoked” (tied together) with unbelievers. Ignoring this almost cost Jehoshaphat his life and did bring the wrath of God on him for awhile. Thankfully, he heeded the prophet's warning and worked to instruct his people in the ways of God.
Application: I see so many people who ignore these wise instructions and suffer for it. I think that part of the problem is that we don't understand what is meant by “ungodly” or “unbeliever”. No matter what a person says about what they believe or don't believe, we must look at their behavior and values. The most important thing is whether or not they submit to God's Word and will when they find their own desires or behavior to be in conflict with what God says is true and right. If they won't subject their decisions to God's, then they fit the category of “ungodly”.
Prayer: Father, help us to understand how to love people in the world without becoming allied with them in close relationships that will bring us spiritual harm. Help me as a leader in the Church to be clear and persuasive in teaching others the importance of this vital truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3
1 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love [a](Or and make alliances with)
those who hate the LORD ? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

Observation: Scriptures are replete with warnings about partnering with others who do not love the Lord. Proverbs has many warnings regarding close connections with ungodly people, whether those connections be close friendships, business partnerships, or marriage. The New Testament also strongly echoes this in 2 Corinthians 6:14 when it commands believers to not be “yoked” (tied together) with unbelievers. Ignoring this almost cost Jehoshaphat his life and did bring the wrath of God on him for awhile. Thankfully, he heeded the prophet's warning and worked to instruct his people in the ways of God.

Application: I see so many people who ignore these wise instructions and suffer for it. I think that part of the problem is that we don't understand what is meant by “ungodly” or “unbeliever”. No matter what a person says about what they believe or don't believe, we must look at their behavior and values. The most important thing is whether or not they submit to God's Word and will when they find their own desires or behavior to be in conflict with what God says is true and right. If they won't subject their decisions to God's, then they fit the category of “ungodly”.

Prayer: Father, help us to understand how to love people in the world without becoming allied with them in close relationships that will bring us spiritual harm. Help me as a leader in the Church to be clear and persuasive in teaching others the importance of this vital truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Enigmas/ Topic: Understanding

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 1; Ecclesiastes 2; Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:18; Ecclesiastes 2:13, 14
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.

14 The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Observation: Hmmm. Interesting contrast. Wisdom and understanding bring more sorrow and grief into your life yet wisdom is still better to have in your life than folly. It gives clarity and direction, yet it won't save you from the death, which overtakes all men.

Application: The Bible is full of these kinds of puzzling contrasts. The point? I'm not sure. I think sometimes the Lord just wants us to ponder the mysteries of life and let us know we need to stay humble and flexible in our thinking. There are positive and negative aspects to almost everything.

Prayer: Well, I just don't understand everything, Lord. Give me wisdom beyond what I now have and help me to be receptive to changing my thinking as you reveal more and more truth to me.

This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Cause and Effect/Topic: Spiritual Blindness

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

Scripture: Proverbs 30:17
17 "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.

Observation: Yuck! What an ugly picture this verse presents! But as I thought about this verse in my devotional time I thought, “How interesting that the author said it is the eye that is pecked out by being a person who is rebellious and disrespectful of parents.” Why? Because it is saying that blindness comes to those who persist in behavior that is condescending toward and rejecting of parental wisdom and instruction. I have seen that phenomenon often in my life. It's not physical blindness that comes, but spiritual blindness. Rebellious and disrespectful children grow to be adults who are unable to discern wisdom and who live foolishly. The longer they persist in sinful attitudes, the stupider they become. Their lives are full of destruction that they bring upon themselves. And how true the Proverbs are that speak of the heartbreak that a foolish, mocking and disobedient son (or daughter) brings.

Application: I must make sure that I model by my attitudes and behavior the qualities of humility, obedience to God and teachableness that allow me to be corrected by others who are wise. It will keep me from being spiritually blind. Those who persist in a mocking, disrespectful and disobedient attitude become confused about truth and cannot easily recognize it. Living by principles is beyond them.

Prayer: So, Lord, help me to never be a mocker or one who is dismissive of instruction from people of good character. May I be an example to others of the right way to live and the blessings that come from following your ways.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Folly vs. Wisdom/Topic: Self-Control

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 28; Proverbs 29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture: Proverbs 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Observation: This verse flies in the face of the some of the nonsense that is espoused by our society. We have become, in general, a people obsessed with being open about our feelings. Kids are taught (and adults too) that they should express their emotions and not keep them inside. Psychologists warn that if they don't express their emotions then they are not being honest and they might be emotionally damaged by having to “stuff” their feelings. That kind of hogwash has led us to a society where many people think it is okay to curse publicly, to flip off another driver if they annoy you in traffic, to go in and shoot others at school if you have been picked on, and to the destruction of many families as various members give full vent to their rage.

Application: Being honest about how I may be feeling can be done without losing control and raging against others. Wisdom demands keeping my emotions under control so that I do not cause damage to others or to myself. Part of honoring God is to be a person who demonstrates self-control. Anger and rage may scare people into doing what I want but they ultimately damage relationships. It is a very destructive method of controlling others.

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit who helps me to produce in my life the fruit of your character, one of which is self-control. Please bring wisdom to our society and to parents raising children so that we can become a peaceable people. We have forgotten the beauty of your laws too much and have embraced foolishness. Turn us back to you so that we may be a blessed people.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Learning the Easy Way/Topic: Correction

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 25; Proverbs 26; Proverbs 27; Romans 15

Scripture: Proverbs 25:12
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Observation: Most of us hate hearing a rebuke. What a better life we would have and what better people we would become if we would view a rebuke with the attitude suggested here. A rebuke should be treasured as something of great value, like fine gold. It is a precious thing of value. Why? Because learning how to become a better person through verbal instruction is the easiest and fastest way to learn valuable life lessons. If we do not learn from verbal instruction (which is what a rebuke is) then, unfortunately, we are destined to learn from the circumstances of life. That can be much more devastating. Divorce, loss of job, incarceration, rejection of others can be the harsh teachers we must learn from is we refuse to listen to the rebukes of others when they point out faults in our lives that need to be corrected. How much easier to learn from a verbal correction than to have life teach us through some kind of loss!

Application: When people criticize me, I should carefully consider what I may learn from it that would make me a better, more godly person, rather than reacting with defense or anger. If I treat rebukes as something precious, I will grow in character and spare myself much sorrow from having to learn things the hard way.

Prayer: Father, keep me humble and teachable and help me to not be defensive and arrogant. May I be willing to learn from anyone in any station of life. You will help me sort out what rebukes may be totally undeserved and without value, but I want to remain open to them all until your Spirit reveals to me the hidden sins and foolishness in my heart that needs to be repented of . Cleanse me and help me to learn my lessons in the most easy, painless way possible.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.