The Power of a Surrendered Will~Joyce Meyer

The Power of a Surrendered Will

July 30

And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach and cry out to it the preaching that I tell you.
—Jonah 3:1-2

We read in the book of Jonah how God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to the people there. But Jonah did not want to, so he went to Tarshish, which, is geographically opposite to Nineveh. Running from God does not help us to be at peace with Him.

What happens when we go in the opposite direction from where God has directed us? What happened to Jonah? When he boarded a ship and headed in his own direction, a storm arose. Many of the storms we face in life are the result of our own stubbornness. In many instances, we have been disobedient to the voice and leadership of God.

The violent storm that came upon Jonah frightened the men on the ship. They cast lots to see who was causing the trouble, and the lot fell on Jonah. He knew he had disobeyed God, so he told the men to throw him overboard in order to deliver them from danger.

They did as he requested, the storm stopped, and a great fish swallowed Jonah. From the fish's belly (not a pleasant place), he cried out to God for deliverance and repented of his stubborn ways. The fish vomited Jonah upon the dry land; and in Jonah 3:1, we see that the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. It was no different from the first time: God told him to go to Nineveh and preach to the people there. No matter how long we avoid God's instruction, it is still there for us to deal with when we stop running.

God's will makes us uncomfortable only as long as we are not pursuing it. In other words, we always know when something is just not right in our lives. Eventually we see that being in God's will, not out of His will, is what brings peace and joy to us. We have to surrender our own wills, because walking in our self-centered ways is what keeps us unhappy.

Leadership: Are you honoring God in your work, home and church? (77-3)~Barry Werner

Are you honoring God in your work, home and church? (77-3)

July 8th, 2009 in Commitment, Judges, Leadership Development, Leadership Principles, Loyalty, Obedience to God, Old Testament, Values | leave a response

The leadership and life example of godly leaders focus people on godly principles and God’s word. Without godly leaders it is virtually impossible for any group to have centralized, agreed upon, godly core values and when godly values are compromised, kingdom advancing goals are non-existent or compromised. Read Judges 1:21-36.

After the death of their central leader, the Israelites disregarded God’s directions and decided to negotiate some deals and compromise with the inhabitants of Canaan. The people hoped by doing so they could make friends and avoid confrontation. Compromising their values led to compromising their goals and the lack of a leader to focus an entire nation on commonly accepted godly core values had disastrous results. Compromises:

• The tribe of Benjamin failed to drive out the Jebusites.
• The tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out Canaanites.
• The tribe of Ephraim failed to drive out Canaanites.
• The tribe of Zebulun failed to drive out those in Kitron.
• The tribe of Dan failed to drive out Amorites.
• The tribe of Asher failed to drive out those in Acco and the Canaanites.
• The tribe of Naphtali failed to drive out Bethshemesh.

Consequences:

• Mixed marriages of God worshipers and idol worshipers resulted and faith in God was diluted or destroyed.
• The people demonstrated spiritual apathy toward God.
• There was spiritual division between the tribes and no central truth/belief in God.
• The tribes began to have unresolved strife with each other. National unity was lost.
• Without national unity, military defeat and lack of personal security soon followed.
• The beliefs of the inhabitants became a snare for the Israelites and the goal to be lifelong servants of God disappeared.
• Ultimately their lack of devotion, obedience and service to God had them removed from the land.

Effective godly leaders are vital if God is to be honored in the workplace, family and the church. Write a paragraph that describes your understanding of the short term and potential long term effect of your personal leadership on your team, family and church.

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Tags: Compromise, Consequences, Core Values, Goals, Principles

The Gentiles Included as Children of Promise~Bob Hoekstrsa

The Gentiles Included as Children of Promise

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spiritthrough faith. (Ephesians 3:6 and Galatians 3:14)

There are monumental implications when we become children of promise through faith in the promises of God. One of the consequences of outstanding significance is highlighted in our present verses. It involves the Gentiles.

It is quite obvious in the Old Testament that God had great plans for the Jews (for Israel, His chosen people). "'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). God's plans ultimately included the Gentiles (the nations of the world). "Oh, praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!…The Gentilesshall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising"(Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 60:3). Nevertheless, the Jewish people would have a special place in God's purposes. "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 14:2).

In light of these Old Testament truths regarding Israel, imagine what an astounding revelation it was when the Holy Spirit began to unfold, through the Apostle Paul, the full participation that the Gentiles would have in the promises of God: "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs." By believing in the promises of God, the Gentiles would have full partnership shares ("fellow heirs" ) in the inheritance of God for His people. The Gentiles would also be "of the same body." This body that included Gentiles and Jews was the church of Jesus Christ. "And He is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18). Jew and Gentile would comprise one new unit, the church. There is no longer a separation. Also, the Gentiles would be "partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel." Through the promises of the gospel of grace, Gentiles would share fully in eternal life, daily blessing, and intimate access to the Lord. By faith in the God of Abraham, the Gentiles would also enjoy (along with any Jew who believed in Jesus as Messiah) the promise of the Spirit: "that the blessing of Abrahammight come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Yes, now the Holy Spirit would dwell in the lives of all who would believe—not only the Jew, but also the Gentile!

Lord God of Israel, I praise You for being the God of believing Gentiles as well. How glorious is Your grace—how mighty are Your promises—Jews and Gentiles sharing in common the realities of God that are freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ!

that Abraham had two sons~Jon Courson

Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
	Galatians 4:21-23
To validate his argument, Paul appealed to Abraham, father of the Jewish race, to whom God said, ‘I’m going to bring you into a new land. I’m going to give you a new name. I’m going to make you great. And from you will come forth a people as innumerable as the stars in the heaven or the sand on the seashore.’ Abraham believed God — but when he was 86 years old, with the promise yet to be fulfilled, his wife said, ‘Honey, I realize God spoke to you, but let’s be practical. You’re 86. I’m 76. This promise isn’t going to come to pass the way we thought it would. Therefore, take my slave girl, Hagar, have relations with her, and the child you produce will be the promised seed from which will come the nation God promised you.’ Folks, when God gives a promise, almost invariably there is a gap of time between the giving of the promise and the fulfillment of the promise. And it is in that gap of time that we get impatient. ‘Time is running out,’ we say. ‘I’ve got to make something happen.’ Abraham agreed to Sarah’s plan, the result of which was the conception and birth of a baby boy named Ishmael. Thirteen years went by. Then God spoke to Abraham again, saying, ‘I’m still going to give you a child.’ ‘Let Ishmael live,’ said Abraham. ‘He’ll do.’ ‘No,’ said God. ‘Ishmael is not the fulfillment of My promise. He’s only your fleshly attempt to help Me out.’ As I look back over my life, I see that every time I got impatient and tried to help God or take things into my own hands, the result has always been trouble — Ishmael. Now, because God is so good, the promise still comes because He’s faithful to His Word. But the problem is that now I have a bunch of Ishmaels to deal with. You see, to this day, blood is shed daily in the ongoing struggle between the Arabs and the Jews — the children of Ishmael and the children of Israel. So too, in my own life, whenever Ishmael is born as a result of my own fleshly efforts, strife, anxiety, and tension are also birthed in my life. Push God, rush God, help God out — and you’ll have an Ishmael on your hands. Abraham was a great man, and yet, this friend of God, this father of faith, this incredible saint had a problem which God recorded as a lesson for each of us today: He was impatient. ‘Impatient?’ you say. ‘He waited how many years for God to keep His promise?’ It was at least 12 years between the time Abraham was given the promise and the time he went in to Hagar. But it could have been as many as 18 years. Some of us think, ‘I’ve been waiting 18 days, 18 weeks, 18 months. When is God going to fulfill His promise to me?’ Abraham waited 18 years before he said, ‘I better help God.’ But it was a disaster nonetheless.

If you are following Jesus then you have much to look forward to.~David McGee

Thursday, July 30th 2009

Romans 8:18-19

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
NKJV

Life Lesson

If you are following Jesus then you have much to look forward to.

I read a story about twin boys who, though they looked alike, were different in almost every other way. Perhaps the most decided distinction was their outlook on life. One was a constant optimist while the other was a perennial cynic. One Christmas, their father decided to experiment. On the pessimist's side of the Christmas tree, the father piled up games and toys and on the optimist's side, he piled up horse manure. When morning came, the cynic sat amongst his gifts crying. When the father asked why, the child responded, "because now I'll have to share and I'm sure I'll constantly be changing out batteries in these toys and losing pieces to these games." In contrast, the optimist was singing and dancing around joyfully. When his father queried, he said, "with all this manure there's got to be a pony around here somewhere!"

Seems rather silly, doesn't it? Yet we can all be like the cynic. We focus on the world and all its trials and tribulations and forget that Jesus told us He has overcome the world. Buried in the short term and forgetting about the long term, we get so tied up in our pessimism that we lose sight of our inheritance.

Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." NKJV

Friend, don't be a pessimist. You have God's promise that even the worst this world will throw at you will work to bring about the best that God has for you. This world has enough cynics. Pessimists seldom solve problems. Optimists change the world. Friend, press toward the goal. Don't sit on the sidelines. Got trials? There's probably more to come. "But God", two words that turn the tables on trouble and strike fear in the heart of Satan. Don't allow yourself to be discouraged. Take heart and play a part. Now is the time, before it's too late.

Dear Father,
Thank You for adopting me into Your Kingdom. Thank You that no matter what the trials are and no matter how high the hill to climb, You are there to pull me through. Don't let me be a cynic. I want to make a difference in this world and in the lives of others and I can't do that if I am on the sidelines. Please give me opportunities to serve You and make a difference. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

It's never too late to request anything from the Lord.~Mike MacIntosh

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."
Mark 5:21-23

It's never too late to request anything from the Lord. Here's a man who was a powerful religious leader in the city, inevitably very popular, well-known, and respected. Being a key leader in the synagogue brought him a lot of power and respect in his Jewish community. Yet we see here that reputation and power meant nothing to him when it came to the life of his young daughter. Falling before Jesus' feet, begging Him repeatedly to heal his daughter, this man didn't care what anybody thought. He didn't care if people saw him weeping and begging Jesus for His mercy. All he cared about was his daughter, and he knew full well that Jesus was the Son of God -- that He alone could heal her.

Maybe you have a friend or relative who is physically struggling with life. Maybe there are people in your life who desperately need Jesus' healing touch, yet you've been too prideful or embarrassed to fall at His feet and beg Him for His healing touch. Don't allow the fear of looking foolish to interfere with your faith. May we have a child-like faith, like this man Jairus did, where we fall at Jesus' feet and beg for His healing touch. We know that Jesus can, and will, intercede in anybody's life right up to the end; don't let any pride hinder open communication with Him. Simply surrender your heart to Him and offer up your requests to Him in faith.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

Selfish?~Mark Balmer

Selfish?

Posted:

Based on “iServe” by Pastor Dean Corns; 7/25-26/09,

Message #DC129;

Daily Devotional #3 - “Selfish?”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Jesus replied: “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39) As Pastor Mark would say, “Love God; love people.” Most of us do fairly well on the first, at least in our own minds. We go to church on the weekend, right? But as for the second part, it usually looks a little more like this. We drive to church and a dedicated servant directs us where to park. We then let someone open the church door for us, while someone else shows us to a seat. If we have questions, we can ask all around the Commons at the different tables that are set up. Other people lead us in worship, and then a Pastor comes forward and gives us an hour teaching that he spent at least 40 hours studying for. When it is over, we get up and are escorted onto the street by police officers stopping traffic for us. Then often, we go out to eat somewhere and let more people wait on us.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): I have heard of an 80/20 rule in churches. Twenty percent of the people serve the other 80%, who do nothing other than receive. I do not know where those numbers lie at CCM. If I had to guess, I would think we do a little better than that. But, why is it that only a small percentage of us faithfully serve? The number one reason: Over all, people (you and I) are selfish. I used to go to church on the weekends, read my Bible and take a few Bible studies, but that was all. I was not contributing to the church or anyone else except family and my close circle of friends. However, as I have grown as a Christ follower I have realized that I see God at work in my life most when I am doing what He is guiding me to do for others, not myself. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): As Pastor Dean said, “It is not about you.” Too often, this is the case. However, we have a choice to do something about it. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. As we seek God with all our heart, mind, and soul, He will reveal where He is working, so we will be able to join Him and serve Him. It is as we seek Him that the relationship is built. The better we know God the more we will see and share His love for people. Love for people takes sacrifice, not selfishness. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:14-17)

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 12

Seize the Moment ~Greg Laurie

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Seize the Moment

Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went...
--Acts 8:26--27

Have you ever been in a store or restaurant where a baby is screaming so loudly that people are practically running away with their hands over their ears?

Meanwhile, the baby's mother is sitting there as though nothing is happening. She has managed to tune this out, which is an uncanny ability that mothers possess.

We can do the same thing with God. He may be speaking to us, but we have essentially tuned Him out. Like Samuel, we might say, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening," but we are not listening. And when He does speak, we aren't responding.

Philip was not this way, however. When we read in Acts 8 that an angel of the Lord told him to go to the desert, Philip went.

How easily Philip could have argued. How easily he could have said, "What do you mean, 'Go to the desert'? For what? To do what? I am having a fruitful ministry here in Samaria. Get somebody else to go to the desert. I have work to do."

But the Spirit led Philip, and he responded to what God wanted him to do. That is so very important. Philip responded, and he seized the moment.

Why? Because he was the right person for the right job. God had uniquely equipped him to minister to the man from Ethiopia that he would meet there in the desert. And God has uniquely equipped you.

Will you be available? Will you be open? If you will, then I believe God will call upon you and give you the privilege of reaching others with the gospel.

The grace of ADONAI is not exhausted~The Voice of the Lord

The Voice of the Lord~

The grace of ADONAI is not exhausted...his compassion has not ended. [On the contrary,] they are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

AV 9 Tish'ah Be'Av (the 9th of Av) is a day burdened with grief. On this day, the first Temple was destroyed by Babylonians and the second Temple by Romans. Numerous other disasters have also fallen on this day, culminating in the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Tish'ah Be'Av is only one day, but its sorrow permeates the whole Jewish year. Because the Temple was destroyed, the traditional synagogue still excludes instrumental music from its services, the tallit (prayer shawl) commonly incorporates black stripes, and the daily prayers always include a plea for the Temple's restoration. Paradoxically, Judaism remains a religion of optimism. Perhaps this is because we do not see these calamities as meaninglesss disasters, but believe that they are part of God's larger purpose. The mourning of Tish'ah Be'Av is ancient, but not endless; history is steadily moving toward fulfillment. The reading for Tish'ah Be'Av is the book of Lamentations, which contains five chapters, each of which—except chapter 3—contains twenty-two verses. These chapters parallel the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alef-bet (alphabet). The third chapter contains sixty-six verses (three times twenty-two). Thus Jeremiah invokes the entire alef-bet seven times in his lament over Jerusalem. At the climax of his lament the writer reveals a message of hope, saying "For rejection by Adonai does not last forever. He may cause grief, but he will take pity, in keeping with the greatness of his grace" (Lamentations 3:31-32). Scripture recognizes tragedy and grief, but its final note is always hope.

...pray for the full restoration of Jerusalem and of the Jewish people. I will believe in God's unchanging mercy, even when it is not apparent.

2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27 ~ Romans 13:1-14 ~ Psalm 23:1-6 ~ Proverbs 20:11

2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27 ~ Romans 13:1-14 ~ Psalm 23:1-6 ~ Proverbs 20:11
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Second Chronicles chapter 26 we read about Uzziah ruling in Judah - along with his sin and punishment. Uzziah, like other kings of Judah we've read about recently honored God in his early years, but then fell away in his later years. Sad! I pray that none of us fall into the trap of honoring God now and then dishonoring him later in our lives. How do you suppose we can avoid this trap? I think one of the key things is to read the Bible daily. But I also am realizing more and more that we need to be in community with other Christians consistently. Yes, church every weekend. But more than that - small groups, Bible studies, accountability groups, etc. We need to encourage and challenge each other in community to continue running our race strong! Are you in consistent community with other Christians in your life today? If not, will you consider joining a small group or Bible study at your church? If you're not going to church, will you start going to church this weekend? Do you see the danger of not being in community with other Christians, and ending up perhaps like some of the kings of Judah who dishonored God later in their lives? Please, please, please - be in a consistent community with other Christians! Below is an oil painting by Rembrandt titled "The King Uzziah Stricken with Leprosy" from the year 1635:

Today in Second Chronicles chapter 28 we read about King Ahaz of Judah. You will note that the reign of Ahab is the only reign in which the Chronicler does not mention a single redeeming feature... Things are obviously getting worse for the southern Kingdom of Judah! A very interesting thing happens in verses 9 through 15 where we are introduced to the prophet Obed in Samaria, and the northern captors show kindness to their captives from Judah. In fact, some scholars believe that verses 14 & 15 may even be the background for Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan!! This is very powerful to consider! Do you see how these 2 verses could be background for Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan? "So the warriors released the prisoners and handed over the plunder in the sight of all the leaders and people. Then the four men mentioned by name came forward and distributed clothes from the plunder to the prisoners who were naked. They provided clothing and sandals to wear, gave them enough food and drink, and dressed their wounds with olive oil. They put those who were weak on donkeys and took all the prisoners back to their own land--to Jericho, the city of palms. Then they returned to Samaria." Below is the artist Vincent van Gogh's take on the parable of the Good Samaritan from the year 1890:

New Testament - Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion has a great overview of three historical interpretations of how Christians are to submit to the government per Paul's writings in Romans chapter 13 verse 1 today: "1. Some Christians believe the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. 2. Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either. They should not however confuse the two. 3. Still others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. They can do this politically by electing high-principled leaders. None of these 3 views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government's laws or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God." Bible.org's commentary on this subject titled "The Christian and Civil Government" is at this link. I lean toward a mix of #2 and #3 these days. I think there is much value in Christians paying attention to local and national and international governments, and getting involved. Let us not just throw our hands up in the air and think that our government is nothing but this image below... :) (or if we do think our government is nothing but this image below, then let us work to change the reality!)

How incredibly powerful are Paul's words in Romans 13 verses 8 through 10 - "Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law. For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting--and any other commandment--are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements." Wow... great stuff. Love satisfies all of God's requirements. Do you believe this to be true? What type of love do you think Paul is talking about here? A passive love? An active love? Who is the last person you paid the debt of love to? Who is the next person you will pay the debt of love to? Will you pay the debt of love to somebody in your life each and every day?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Love, Law, and the Last Days" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 23! What a Psalm!! This is the first Psalm for sure that I ever really read and was comforted by without a doubt. Psalm 23 is a profession of joyful trust in God as the good Shepherd-King by David. I like The Message's take on Psalm 23 at this link. Bible.org has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 23 titled "A Psalm that calms the soul" at this link.

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 20 verse 11 we read – “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” This is an interesting Proverb for me to meditate upon. I focus in on the word “actions" here. Basically this Proverb to me is saying that actions matter. Our actions don’t save us or make us right with God, but they matter. Even children are known by their actions. Do you think that you and I are known by our actions? If so, what are our actions saying to others? Is our conduct pure and right? I have some friends who seem to think that actions do not matter – particularly once we are in relationship with Jesus. I get very nervous with this line of thinking. I think particularly once we are in a relationship with Jesus, we are called to follow Jesus and we are called to holiness. We are called to be saints. Yes, saints. Now, don’t get me wrong – we will stumble. We will fall. We will not be perfect this side of heaven. Even after being in relationship with Jesus we will make mistakes. But, I believe we are called to live our lives such that we incrementally start to look more and more like God’s own son, Jesus. I believe we are called to love like Jesus. Forgive like Jesus. Give like Jesus. And this list goes on – check out the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 for a nice list of actions for us to emulate. So – even a child is known by his actions. What would people say about you based on your actions these days? Would they see that you are becoming more and more like Jesus with each passing day, week, month, and year? Do you think your actions matter?

YouTube: As we're reading Psalm 23 today, this video of Abby reciting Psalm 23 seems wholly appropriate!

Is the Lord your Shepherd? Click here to not be in want!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

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Seek the things that are above~Daily Light

July 30
MORNING

Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Get wisdom; get insight.--The wisdom from above.--"The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.'"--We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.--God . . . made us alive together with Christ . . . and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

People who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.--Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility.

Col. 3:1; Prov. 4:5; Jas. 3:17; Job 28:14; Rom. 6:4, 5; Heb. 12:1; Eph. 2:4-6; Heb. 11:14; Zeph. 2:3

EVENING

Nicodemus, who had gone to him before.

Peter was following him at a distance.--Many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.--The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

"Whoever comes to me I will never cast out."--A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.--"Faith like a grain of mustard seed."

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.--Little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.--"Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven."

John 7:50; Matt. 26:58; John 12:42, 43; Prov. 29:25; John 6:37; Isa. 42:3; Matt. 17:20; 2 Tim. 1:7, 8; 1 John 2:28; Matt. 10:32

Keep the Peace~Dimitri

Keep The Peace!

July 29th, 2009

"Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18).

Dear Michael,
A missionary in West Africa visited a sick church member. Since the wife of the sick man was also present, the missionary asked them about the state of their marriage, and if they lived at peace with one another. The husband's answer revealed his godliness and wisdom. He said, "Sometimes I say a word that my wife doesn't like, or my wife talks or does what I don't like. But when we start to quarrel, we shake hands, shut the door, and go to prayer. So the peace is restored again."

Peace is an important priority in all our relationships. God is the author of peace (1Cor. 14:33), and He wants us to be at peace with one another. For this reason we ought to give much thought to the way we relate to others. But peace does not dwell alone. It is accompanied by six close companions: "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). Lets look at these Christlike virtues one by one:

Purity. In the Christian life, purity always precedes peace: "first pure, then peaceable." To be peaceable does not mean that we should ever overlook sin or be tolerant of evil. "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil" (Prov. 8:13).

Peaceable. To be peaceable is to be peace-loving. When we walk in the Spirit we will seek to be at peace with others and will try to avoid all unnecessary strife and conflict.

Gentleness. Christ Himself is "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt 11:29), and He wants us to be gentle in the way we deal with others.

Willing To Yield. Are you ever obstinate or hard-headed? Ephesians 5:21 tells us to submit to one another. We do this by being flexible, open to reason, and ready to give in whenever the truth requires it.

Full of Mercy and Good Fruits. When God's love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit we become like Him: merciful and concerned about the wellbeing of others. Our hearts are made tender, and we readily reach out to one another.

Without Partiality. God shows personal favouritism to no man (Gal 2:6), and neither should we. We should not look down on any person, but treat others equally and respectfully.

Without Hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is concealing our true character or motives. Because God desires truth in our inward parts (Ps. 51:6), we should always be open and honest in our dealings with one another.

As you look over these seven character qualities, think of the One Person you know who displays every virtue in all its perfection: The Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Prince and Author of Peace. And since Christ Himself dwells in the heart of every true believer, you can count on Him to transform your lowly character and make you as He is. Remember: Jesus became what we are to make us as He is. "As He is, so are we in this world" (1Jn 4:17).

In His strong love,
Demitri

Burning Bush~Dry Bones

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• Burning Bush (1989)
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Burning Bush (1989)

Burning Bush (1989)

Today's Golden Oldie is from 1989.

I just did a cartoon the other day about how the situation with the current U.S. President is getting "Biblical". I'd forgotten that I'd used the same line twenty years ago. It seems like we move through cycles of history and re-experience situations.

The Jewish Calendar is believed by many to be a chart of our progress through regions of time. Today we are passing through one of those significant and fearful times. Today is Tisha Be'Av. The place in our journey through the year that is fraught with tragedy, danger, and misfortune for the Children of Israel.

For those who are fasting today, Tsom Kal (Have an easy fast).

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

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Extreme Measures to Bring Restoration~Bob Caldwell

Extreme Measures to Bring Restoration 5:8-9 therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations For God to declare that He is against His own people to the degree that He would destroy Israel as a nation is shocking and sobering to simply read. The reason God opposed Israel is the same reason He has opposed those who are "Christian" in name only. They take for granted that God will bless them although they live lives that are an abomination to Him (5:5-9). During Ezekiel's time, God described Israel as worse spiritually than the pagan nations around them. The chastening of God's people is such that it not only makes clear how much God hates the destructive force of sin upon His people but is also used as a graphic lesson for all to see. For this reason, God declared that His discipline and judgment upon Israel will be a lesson that will astonish the nations (5:13-15). Sin can have such a blinding impact that, before long, it becomes as if it's nothing at all. It becomes an addiction that blinds a person to its destructive force. It is ultimately God's grace that steps in to remove the cancer. But His goal for His people is always restoration. After the horrible consequences of sin have done their work, God promises to bring a remnant of faithful Jews back to their homeland. A promise to begin a process of restoration. A remnant that has learned from the judgments of God. A remnant that God can bless and restore His gracious and glorious intentions upon (6:8-10). Like Israel, many times those who claim to be Christians find themselves opposed by the very God to which they say they belong. To yield to the ever-growing corruption of sin will bring God's chastening hand upon us, just as it was upon Israel. Instead, let us be people through whom the world sees the goodness of God's will, which in turn points them to Him.
Ezekiel 5:1-6:14 A Sword Against Jerusalem 1 "And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber's razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair. 2 You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them. 3 You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. 4 Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel. 5 "Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. 6 She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her; for they have refused My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.' 7 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have multiplied disobedience more than the nations that are all around you, have not walked in My statutes nor kept My judgments, nor even done according to the judgments of the nations that are all around you'— 8 therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. 9 And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations. 10 Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments among you, and all of you who remain I will scatter to all the winds. 11 ‘Therefore, as I live,' says the Lord GOD, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity. 12 One-third of you shall die of the pestilence, and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them. 13 ‘Thus shall My anger be spent, and I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged; and they shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it in My zeal, when I have spent My fury upon them. 14 Moreover I will make you a waste and a reproach among the nations that are all around you, in the sight of all who pass by. 15 ‘So it shall be a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that are all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I, the LORD, have spoken. 16 When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread. 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.'" Ezekiel 6 Judgment on Idolatrous Israel 1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 2 "Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, 3 and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: "Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. 4 Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. 5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. 6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. 7 The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the LORD. 8 "Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. 9 Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. 10 And they shall know that I am the LORD; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them." 11 ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: "Pound your fists and stamp your feet, and say, ‘Alas, for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! For they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. 12 He who is far off shall die by the pestilence, he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged shall die by the famine. Thus will I spend My fury upon them. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain are among their idols all around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, wherever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. 14 So I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.'"'"
Ezekiel 5:1-6:14 v. 1 a barber's razor – Priests were not to shave their heads or beards (Lev. 21:5). This is an act of both desecration and shame and symbolizing the judgment against Jerusalem. weigh and divide the hair – One third of Jerusalem would die of fire and pestilence in the siege, one third would be killed with the sword, and one third would be scattered as captives and refugees. v. 3-4 a small number – A small number would remain, yet even these would suffer further suffering and judgment v. 5 I have set her in the midst of the nations – Israel was intended to display how God would bless his people. Yet in spite of these privileges, the nations rebelled and did greater wickedness than the nations around them. v. 8-9 I, am against you and will execute judgments – These sins and rebellion will not go unpunished. God wants them to know that the horrors they are about to experience are not random acts of fate, but a purposeful judgment because of all of their abominations. v. 10 fathers eat their sons – The siege will be so severe that people will resort to cannibalism. This gruesome reality was actually forewarned by God in Deuteronomy 28:49-59 as a consequence if Israel would not observe the law and fear the Lord. v. 11 My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity – This phrase is unique to Ezekiel and is used six more times in the book. It reveals God's uncompromising and absolute judgment against the defiling abominations of worship that his people had given themselves to. God cannot spare or have any pity whatsoever on these lest they defile his people again. v. 13 my anger – Their idolatry and abominations are bringing God's fury upon them. v. 15 a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment – The nations around them who were originally supposed to see God's goodness on His people will now see His holiness and judgment of Judah's sin. v. 17 I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken – God has been faithful to send His prophets and warn the people and call them to repentance, but now He is bringing the sword of His judgment. Ezekiel 6 v. 1 Now the word of the LORD came to me – Chapters 6 and 7 use the image of mountains and land/soil, and form two related sermons/prophecies regarding the land of Israel. This first sermon shows the cause and severity of the coming judgment. v. 2 set your face toward the mountains of Israel – This phrase is unique to Ezekiel, and refers to the idolatry and abominations of worship that were historically linked to the high places throughout the OT (Jer. 3:6, 1 Kings 14:23, 2 Chron. 21:11). v. 4 Then your altars shall be desolate – The sites will be destroyed along with the articles of worship and the worshipers. v. 6 In all your dwelling places – Throughout the OT, the idol altars were torn down only to be rebuilt. Here God is not only destroying the sites, but destroying the all the cities and inhabitants of the regions where such worship occurred so that no one remains to rebuild and reinitiate idol worship. v. 8 Yet I will leave a remnant – These survivors will be witnesses of the judgment of God because of the idolatry. v. 9 their adulterous heart – God equates His people's idolatry with adultery and harlotry. v. 10 I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them – These judgments are not new. They were all contained in the covenant treaty made before Israel entered the Promised Land, (Lev. 26) and were repeated throughout their history to remind and warn them. v. 11 Pound your fists and stamp your feet – This dramatic delivery intended to rouse the listeners' attention and indicates the force of the judgment coming. v. 13 on every high hill…mountaintops…under every green tree, and…thick oak – This type of list is seen throughout the OT (Deut. 12:2) as these are the typical locations of their cultic idolatry and the various abominations that go with them. v. 14 more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah – (or Riblah) This is the desolate region across the Jordan stretching from the Negev desert in the south to the north of Syria.
therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations.' –Ezekiel 5:8-9 It is in these accounts of Israel's destruction that we find great lessons today, Lord. We thank You for being patient and longsuffering and that You love us as You do. But we also see, Lord, that there is a price to be paid when we turn from You to worship other gods, idols, and the material things of this world. Cleanse us today, Jesus, and guard our hearts against turning away from You, today and forevermore.