RaulRies: "Second Law"
Second Law
So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:9
The name Deuteronomy means “The Second Law.” What is the first law? The Ten Commandments are the first law, given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The second law was given in the mountains of Moab, by Moses in Deuteronomy 31:1-8. It was given looking towards the Promised Land. It is the first law interpreted in light of 36 years experience in the wilderness.
There were new situations as new problems arose and, yet, the law was there to cover and speak to the people. There needed to be application to the law and situations they were facing. The second law did not change or alter the Ten Commandments; it merely made application of the law to the lives of the people. It is the conclusion or finishing touch.
This is a great example to us in applying God’s Word to our lives. It is not enough to read the Bible and memorize verses; they must be reflected in our lives and how we react in situations and trials.
We each need to be living Bibles-a reflection of Christ as He is the Word of God.
Jesus Christ left us an example for our daily conduct
and from it there can be no appeal.
-A.W. Tozer-
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DailyHope: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
This week’s devotionals are by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Way of a Worshiper’.
Change is great on the outside, but real change comes from the inside out. It’s more than cosmetic; it’s more than a skinnier version of the same old you. God wants you to be made new from the inside out – spirit, soul, and body.
God puts them in that order in his Word: “May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being – spirit, soul, and body – free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 TEV).
God knows that real change comes from the inside. It’s great’s to clean out the fridge and get rid of the junk food in the pantry. But what about the junk food in your head? The old lies, the empty values, the false perceptions? Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (NIV).
There are two words in today’s verse from Romans 12 that I want to focus on --
- Conform. According to the dictionary, conform means to “make or become the same” or “to behave in a conventional way by accepting without question the customs, traditions and prevailing opinions of others.” How often do we do this? We think, “Oh everybody else is doing it so it must be okay.” But God says, “Don’t conform to the ways of this world. Stop and think about what you’re doing.”
- Transform. Transform means “to change the condition, function, nature, character or personality” of something. It means changing from the inside out. In Romans 12, Paul says to transform yourself not by trying to be like the rest of the world, but by renewing your mind, by changing the way you think.
God wants a new you who not only looks different, but who lives and thinks and speaks and acts differently. He wants a new you who has taken a 180-degree turn and is headed in a new direction, no longer pursuing an old way of life, no longer trying to conform and fit in and be like everybody else. He wants a new you who is being transformed by the renewing of your mind – a new you who is being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
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TheBigPictureBibleRead: Final Plague; Death Passes Over
Final Plague; Death Passes Over
Exodus 11:1-12:30; Psalm 18:48-50; Proverbs 6:20-22
And the LORD said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold." And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.Then Moses said, "Thus says the LORD: 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.' And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, 'Get out, and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger.
But the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt." So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire-its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover.
'For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
'So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat-that only may be prepared by you. So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.'"
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'" So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Exodus 11:1-12:30
WORSHIP
He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.
Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.
Psalm 18:48-50
WISDOM
My son, keep your father's command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
When you roam, they will lead you;
When you sleep, they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.
Proverbs 6:20-22
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DailyLight: "thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee"
February 7
MORNING
When thou has eaten and are full, ... thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God. — One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
EVENING Jesus ... was moved with compassion toward them.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. — We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. — Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. — He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
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MikeMacIntosh: "God called Gideon a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12), but all we know is that he's a farmer."
Today's Devotion
From Mike MacIntosh
Now it came to pass the same night that the Lord said to him, "Take your father's young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it; and build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this rock in the proper arrangement, and take the second bull and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the image which you shall cut down." So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did what the Lord had said to him. But because he feared his father's household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.
Judges 6:25-27
God called Gideon a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12), but all we know is that he's a farmer. There's not a verse anywhere in the Bible that tells us he's a warrior. This man has never held a sword in his hand, he's never been to battle, and he knows no strategies of warfare. From our vantage point, Gideon is no man of valor. He has even shown with his own lips that he's somewhat of a coward, and he's hesitant to believe that anything good would happen because of so many years of oppression. So why does God call him a man of valor? Because God sees who Gideon is when he's empowered by His Spirit.
Now Baal was one bad thing to worship. The people who worshiped Baal believed that if they sacrificed and built altars to him, the weather would be favorable and their crops would be spared of disease or disaster. Plain and simple, this was devil worship, and that's why God wanted all those people wiped out. So God's first assignment to Gideon was to tear down Baal's altar and the wooden image, and to build a brand new altar that was for the Lord. Insecure and hesitant as he was, he obeyed!
Sometimes we hide behind our frailties and insecurities, our setbacks and our sin, and we basically give up on doing anything great for the Lord. Look at Gideon's life here as a great example of a simple man used by God to do supernatural things. This could only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit (Judges 7:34). That's why an ordinary farmer could be called a mighty man of valor by God. And with the Lord on your side, you too are a mighty man or woman of valor. If you have Jesus Christ dwelling in your heart, you have value and you have worth because you're His kid and you're filled with the Holy Spirit.
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GodCalling: "The cries of your sufferings have pierced even to the ears of God himself "
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Trust and be not afraid. Life is full of wonder. Open child-trusting eyes to all I am doing for you. Fear not. Only a few steps more and then My Power shall be seen and known. You are, yourselves, now walking in the tunnel-darkness. Soon, you yourselves shall be lights to guide feet that are afraid. The cries of your sufferings have pierced even to the ears of God himself -- My Father in Heaven, your Father in Heaven. To hear, with God, is to answer. For only a cry from the heart, a cry to Divine Power to help human weakness, a trusting cry, ever reaches the Ear Divine. Remember, trembling heart, that with God, to hear is to answer. Your prayers, and they have been many, are answered. "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24 |
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A.W.Tozer: "Inheritance is a right resulting from a relationship. "
Tozer Devotional
Devotions » Tozer Devotional
Monday, February 07, 2011
BETTER THAN GOLD
Every Christian believer should be aware that our God has given us definite promises of an amazing inheritance to be realized in the eternal! The blessings and riches of our divine inheritance are not riches that will come to us for anything that is worthy or superior in ourselves; but will come because of our relationship in faith to the One who is the fount of every blessing. We must remember that an inheritance has not actually been earned. Such bequests come from One who owns everything and gives to another whom He delights to honor and who can establish his rightful claim. Inheritance is a right resulting from a relationship. In this case, the right belongs to the children of God by virtue of the fact that their identification as children of God by faith in the eternal Son of God has been established and is in the heavenly records! The apostle said of us: "Men and women cannot imagine or even dream of all the things which God has prepared for those who love Him!"
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ExperiencingGod: "It means we overcome anxiety during stressful situations because God instructs us to bring our requests to Him (Phil. 4:6)"
Without Faith
Daily Devotional for Monday, February 7th, 2011
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Whenever God reveals something, He expects us to believe Him and adjust our lives accordingly. What does this mean? It means we trust Him implicitly for all of our needs because He says He will provide (Phil. 4:19). It means we approach crises with the assurance that God will bring good from them (Rom. 8:28). It means we overcome anxiety during stressful situations because God instructs us to bring our requests to Him (Phil. 4:6). It means that we never worry that we are alone because God said He would never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). It means that, despite what happens in our lives, we will never doubt God's love because He has told us that He loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).
At times we try to justify our lack of faith! We know what God has promised, but we doubt that He will make a practical difference in our life. We are filled with anxiety and excuse ourselves by saying: "I am just a worrier!" We become bitter during a crisis and reason that "God could not possibly bring anything good out of this pain!" We appeal for help from everyone around us when we have a need; then we explain: "I know God can provide for my needs, but I think I should do everything I can, just in case." God calls this faithlessness. Faithlessness is sin. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb. 11:6).
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OurDailyBread: "When our granddaughter Julia was very small, "
The Armies Of God
Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28
When our granddaughter Julia was very small, we took her on a driving trip over an Idaho mountain road. Afterward, she and her Nana were having a conversation about the “adventure.” “I don’t worry because I think Papa has a guardian angel,” Nana said. “I think he must have a team of guardian angels!” Julia replied.
The mission of angels is to protect and serve the children of God (Heb. 1:13-14). The psalmist said, “The chariots of God are . . . thousands of thousands; the Lord is among them” (Ps. 68:17). God is the “Lord of hosts,” which means “armies.” The angels are the Lord’s army.
In 2 Kings we read about Elisha and his servant who were surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha’s servant cried out, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha replied, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw that “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around” (6:15-17). The Lord’s army was at hand!
Even though we cannot see them with our natural eyes, we can rest in the confidence that the Lord of Hosts is constantly watching over us and He has an invisible army at His bidding to send where He pleases.
What ready help the Father gives
To struggling saints below!
He sends His heavenly ministers
To thwart our ancient foe. —D. De Haan
The angels of God protect the people of God
as they do the work of God.
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AlistairBegg: "Christian, meditate much on heaven; it will help you to press on and to forget the difficulty of the journey."
Devotionals by Truth For Life
The hour is approaching when the message will come to us, as it comes to all, "Arise, and leave the home in which you lived, from the city in which you have done your business, from your family, from your friends. Arise, and take your final journey."
And what do we know of the journey? And what do we know of the country to which we are going? We have read a little about it, and part has been revealed to us by the Spirit; but how little do we know of the realms of the future! We know that there is a black and stormy river called Death. God bids us cross it, promising to be with us.
And after death, what comes? What wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight? What scene of glory will be unfolded to our view? No traveler has ever returned to tell. But we know enough of the heavenly land to make us welcome our summons there with joy and gladness.
The journey of death may be dark, but we may face it fearlessly, knowing that God is with us as we walk through the gloomy valley, and therefore we need fear no evil. We shall be departing from all we have known and loved here, but we shall be going to our Father's house--to our Father's home, where Jesus is--to that royal "city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."1 This will be our last relocation, to live forever with Him we love, in the midst of His people, in the presence of God.
Christian, meditate much on heaven; it will help you to press on and to forget the difficulty of the journey. This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: This world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss.
Prepare us, Lord, by grace divine,
For Thy bright courts on high;
Then bid our spirits rise, and join
The chorus of the sky.
Family Bible reading plan
verse 1 Genesis 40
verse 2 Mark 10
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CharlesStanley: "Who Owns It All?"
Devotionals by In Touch
A serious error has made its way into the church. Some Christians think that their beliefs and their wallet belong in separate spheres. The truth is, financial health and obedience to God are inseparable. He owns everything (Hag. 2:8; Ps. 24:1). Cash, possessions, and ways to earn more are gifts from the Lord; we are simply stewards.
A steward oversees the use and care of someone else's riches. A wise steward bases financial decisions upon the owner's rules for using and multiplying material goods. In our case, God has woven financial principles into the fabric of Scripture. Since money touches nearly every aspect of life, it is mentioned 2,300 times in many different contexts. For example, God urged the Israelites to stay faithful to His teachings and to avoid the trap of self-reliance (Deut. 8:18). He reminded them that the power to make wealth resides with Him rather than in their own hands.
The minute a steward presumes that he owns the money he manages, mistakes are made. He stops consulting the Owner and spends as he sees fit. Even in trying to do good, the wayward steward is ruled by his shortsighted perspective rather than God's omnipotent view and gentle guidance. He will suffer the consequences of violating Scripture's financial principles.
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BobCoy: "When you look carefully, you can see a trend that takes place during the interaction between Jesus and His disciples."
Devotionals by Active Word
When you look carefully, you can see a trend that takes place during the interaction between Jesus and His disciples. Quite consistently, we see instances where they put a priority on things that Jesus doesn't.
For example, at one time the twelve were extremely worried about how the Jewish leaders of the day would take Jesus' comments towards them, but Jesus wasn't worried in the least (Matthew 15:12). On another occasion, the disciples were in awe of the Temple's splendor, but Jesus foresaw its ruin (Mark 13:1).
But the reverse also occurs. In several instances, Jesus attaches importance to something that the disciples don't. Case in point, just prior to His arrest, Jesus made it a point to tell His followers that that although He would be leaving them, the Holy Spirit would come to them (John 14:16). Not only that, He continues to remind them of this fact (John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7). It's almost as if Jesus is saying, "Guys! Do you even realize what I'm telling you?"
Truth be told, we're often guilty of the same thing. We're prone to lose sight of the importance of the Holy Spirit, who actually comes inside our hearts and takes up permanent residency there. This is something that Jesus placed great priority on because it's among the most important promises and privileges ever given to man.
Notice, however, how faith plays a pivotal role when it comes to receiving the Holy Spirit. It's through faith, faith in what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf at the Cross, that the way is cleared for God's Spirit to enter into our lives.
The Spirit's presence is a blessing we often fail to fully appreciate, which means our faith is often more important than we appreciate. Lord, help us to remember that it's through the faith You grant us that we receive this Great Gift.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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OneYearBible: Exodus 26:1-27:21 ~ Matthew 25:1-30 ~ Psalm 31:1-8 ~ Proverbs 8:1-11
February 7th One Year Bible Readings
Exodus 26:1-27:21 ~ Matthew 25:1-30 ~ Psalm 31:1-8 ~ Proverbs 8:1-11
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on OneYearAudioBible.org or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~
TranslateOld Testament - Today in Exodus chapters 26 & 27 we read about God's plans for the Tabernacle, the Altar and the Courtyard. I have to admit, I have zoned out a bit when reading these chapters in years past. But for some reason this year these details were fascinating to me today! Why the change? I'm not 100% sure, other than I do think repeated study of the Bible year after year does bear fruit and does grow our interest in every iota of God's Word. So, if by chance you felt like you were zoning out a bit when reading these chapters today, don't be discouraged. The interest will definitely come with time and further study of all of God's Word. Let me recommend to you that you don't skim over chapters like these though. Please do read each word. If you skim this year, you'll skim next year and you'll miss out on the fruit that will come from this study. I have found images really help my understanding of chapters like these, so I'll post up a few images, which will hopefully help you visualize what we've read about today. Below are a couple of images of the tabernacle and its layout:
A replica of the Altar of Burnt Offering in the outer court:
A replica of the Courtyard, looking toward the tabernacle (you'll see the altar in the foreground and the basin for washing on the left, which we'll read about in chapter 30):
And a replica inside the Tabernacle chamber / Holy Place, looking toward the curtain that cordoned off the Holy of Holies / the Ark of the Covenant. That's the altar of incense just before the curtain, which we'll read about in Exodus chapter 30. The lampstand is on the left, and the table for the Bread of the Presence is on the right. (see replica images in yesterday's post below for more details on these and a replica image of the ark):
New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 25 we read about the 10 bridesmaids and verse 13 certainly stands out as Jesus teaches: ""So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return." What do you think it means in our lives today to be "awake" and ready for Jesus' return? Are you "awake" this very moment and ready for Jesus' return? One of the most important points of this parable is that when Jesus returns you won't be able to barter or buy your way into the Kingdom. (as the 5 un-wise bridesmaids tried to do). You yourself will be ultimately responsible for your own spiritual condition! Have you owned up to this responsibility? Below is a watercolor by William Blake from 1822 of the parable of the ten bridesmaids:
Today we read in Matthew chapter 25 verses 14 through 30 Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents.” This story of the three servants has often been a parable I have struggled with. For a long time I didn't get what was so wrong about the guy who buried the money. "He at least gave back to the master the same amount he was originally given," I thought. "What's so wrong with that?" Well, as I read this parable again, the thing that really stands out to me is that this parable is not talking about simply money. . . but I think it is talking about our very lives and our time here on earth. I read it now as if God gives each of us a certain amount of time to live on this earth and a certain amount of gifts and skills. And then, we have to ask ourselves - will we simply just go through life very stably & comfortably with those gifts and skills – perhaps even just going through the motions and serving ourselves – to the extent that when God calls us home, we have really not produced much of anything in our lives? What if we spend our time & gifts in such a way that by the end of it we haven't really blessed or served others? We simply give back to God at the end of our lives what God gave to us and nothing more. OR - is it possible that God is calling each of us to do so much more with our lives? Is God calling us to really use the time, gifts and skills he has given us for something bigger than ourselves? Is God calling us to produce a great harvest of loving and serving and blessing others in our lives? So that when we arrive at heaven's gate at the end of our lives we will hear verse 21 from God Himself - "The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'" How about your life today? Are you multiplying the skills and gifts that God has given you in your life? Are you investing your skills and gifts in loving service of others? Are you at least "doubling" God's investment in you?
Great commentary on Matthew chapter 25 titled "The Parables in the Olivet Discourse" is online at bible.org at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 31 verse 1 is such a powerful start to this powerful Psalm of David's - "O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for you always do what is right." In your life today, do you need protection from something? If so, will you run to God for your protection? Do you believe that God can rescue you? Do you believe that God can save you from shame? Do you believe that God always does what is right?
Did you catch that verse 5 from this Psalm were Jesus' last words on the cross.... "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (NIV) Here it is from Luke 23:46 - "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last."
Proverbs - I love the beginning of Proverbs chapter 8 with the imagery of Wisdom calling out to all humankind! Do you hear the call of wisdom in your life today??
Today we read in Proverbs chapter 8 verses 10 & 11: "Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it.”
Worship God: Today's readings in Matthew today about the Parable of the Talents reminded me of the fantastic Matthew West song called "The Motions." Here are two video versions of this song, below. The first video is a great live version of the song. The second video is from a documentary shows Matthew going through vocal cord surgery, which is quite a scary thing for any of us to go through, much less a singer..
Are you just going through the Motions? Click here for Eternal Motion!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you would choose wisdom each day in your life, over money. Pray that growing in the wisdom of the Lord would be more important to you than climbing the corporate ladder.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on Proverbs 8:10-11 above, Are you seeking God’s instruction in your life above all else? Do you agree with this Proverb that wisdom is far more valuable than riches? Is reading the Bible each day this year adding to your wisdom? Are you seeking to do more than just read the Bible this year? Are you diving into further study of the Bible? Are you allowing your study of the Bible to transform you? Are you allowing the Bible to change how you think, act, and live? Are you allowing the Bible to give you godly wisdom? Will you accept God’s free gift of Biblical wisdom each and every day of your life? Also, 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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JonCourson: "the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them"
| February 7 | ||
| When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts,: according to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein. | ||
| Joshua 19:49-50 | ||
| It was only after everyone else had an assigned section that Joshua claimed his territory. Timnath-serah was hill country. It was similar to Caleb’s territory - a tough assignment. Philippians 2 tells us we’re to have the same mind as Jesus, Who came in humility and gave up His rights and chose to die on the Cross in order to provide redemption for lost sinners like you and me. Timnath-serah literally means “abundant portion” because abundance is always found when we lay down our rights. It’s the hard stuff that brings abundance. It’s when you have to roll up your sleeves and put your hand to the plow, it’s when you get involved and engaged that you find abundant life. The abundant life is found in walking in the Spirit, seeking first the Kingdom, taking on the territory you’ve been assigned, and not giving up. Joshua claimed Timnath-serah as his own. Yet Jesus took on an infinitely tougher assignment when He took on my salvation. | ||
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GregLaurie: "From Resisting to Resting. "
Devotionals by A New Beginning
And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." —Genesis 32:28
Jacob, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham, was a conniver. He just couldn't wait on God's timing. On the day that Jacob and his twin brother Esau were born, Esau came first, with Jacob holding on to his brother's foot. That is how Jacob earned his name, which means "heel-catcher."
When they were older, Jacob not only convinced Esau to sell him his birthright for some stew, but he also tricked their father into giving him the blessing that was intended for Esau. Esau wanted to kill him, so Jacob went into exile and ended up working for a guy he really deserved: Laban, who was as much of a conniver as Jacob was.
Eventually Jacob made the journey back home again, and on the way, the Bible tells us in Genesis 32 that "Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day" (verse 24). It was as though God said, "You are always struggling and fighting with me, so let's go for it."
Now Jacob was one tough guy, and he wouldn't give up. Consequently, God touched the socket of his hip so that it was out of joint. That made Jacob cling to this messenger from heaven, and he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" (verse 26). Jacob went from resisting to resting. Instead of fighting with God, he was surrendering to God, so God gave him a new name.
Are you wrestling with God? We wrestle with Him when He reveals His will to us and we say we want our will instead. How much better it is when we surrender to Him. Corrie ten Boom said, "Don't wrestle, just nestle." Don't fight with the One who has your best interests in mind.
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BobCaldwell: "Real Hope Requires a Real God"
Monday, February 7, 2011 (top)
"He will say: 'Where are their gods, The rock in which they sought refuge?'" -Deuteronomy 32:37NKJV Bible Text
The Song of MosesAnd hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
My speech distill as the dew,
As raindrops on the tender herb,
And as showers on the grass.
Ascribe greatness to our God.
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He.
They are not His children,
Because of their blemish:
A perverse and crooked generation.
O foolish and unwise people?
Is He not your Father, who bought you?
Has He not made you and established you?
Consider the years of many generations.
Ask your father, and he will show you;
Your elders, and they will tell you:
The Song of Moses v. 1 Give Ear – This song was meant to be a reminder to Israel of the day that they stood before Heaven and earth and agreed to follow the Lord. It was designed to stay in their hearts and be passed down from generation to generation. v. 2 My Doctrine – Means "instruction." Moses stated that the instruction he was about to give to Israel would feed and nourish the people like rain on the hills and dew on the plants (Is. 55:10, 11). | v. 4 He is The Rock – God is unchanging and immovable, an ever-present help in time of trouble. This also is prophetic of Jesus Christ, whom Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:4 was the Rock, which had given water to Israel when they were thirsty in the wilderness. |
When He separated the sons of Adam,
He set the boundaries of the peoples
According to the number of the children of Israel.
Jacob is the place of His inheritance.
And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled him, He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
And there was no foreign god with him.
That he might eat the produce of the fields;
He made him draw honey from the rock,
And oil from the flinty rock;
With fat of lambs;
And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats,
With the choicest wheat;
And you drank wine, the blood of the grapes.
You grew fat, you grew thick,
You are obese!
Then he forsook God who made him,
And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
v. 10 He Kept Him As The Apple Of His Eye – Or the "pupil of His eye." The fastest protective reflex in the human body is the natural reflex to protect the eye. God expressed, in terms that we can relate to, the care that He has for His people and His commitment to protecting them from harm. v. 11 As An Eagle Stirs Up Her Nest – A mother eagle is known to teach her children to fly when they are old enough by stirring up the nest so that it is no longer a comfortable resting place. This is not a harsh act of carelessness, but rather the best way to get them motivated to step out on their own and discover what they have the potential to do. God does that for His children as well. Rather than leaving us comfortable where we are at, He will often allow trials and tribulations to come our way so that our faith may be tried and purified (1 Pet. 1:7). | Suck Honey Out Of A Rock – This most likely refers to the bees that made their nests in rocks and provided honey for the inhabitants of Canaan. Oil Out Of The Flinty Rock – This oil most likely refers to the olive oil that was plenteous in the Promised Land. Olive trees grow even today in very rocky terrain in Israel, like on the Mount of Olives. v. 15 But Jeshurun Grew Fat And Kicked – Jeshurun means "upright" and is a symbolic name for the way that God saw Israel robed in His righteousness as they were meant to be. The unfortunate reality was that because God had so richly blessed them, they grew complacent in their prosperity and their eyes wandered, causing them to backslide from God. |
With abominations they provoked Him to anger.
To gods they did not know,
To new gods, new arrivals
That your fathers did not fear.
And have forgotten the God who fathered you.
Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters.
I will see what their end will be,
For they are a perverse generation,
Children in whom is no faith.
They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols.
But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation;
I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.
v. 17 They Sacrificed To Devils And Not To God – 1Corinthians 10:20 tells us that behind the idols which the pagans worship was actually the presence and power of demons. The chapter goes on to tell us that we cannot worship pagan idols and the true and living God at the same time. One cannot have fellowship with God and with demons. v. 18 You Forgot The Rock That Made You – They were made by God, just as the statue was made from a rock. | v. 21 I Will Provoke Them – Because Israel would provoke God to jealousy and anger by worshipping other gods beside Him, God provoked them to jealousy and anger by adopting people that were not originally called by His name. Paul picked up on this verse in the New Testament when He declared that God would use Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy in order that they might return to Him (Rom. 11:11). |
And shall burn to the lowest hell;
It shall consume the earth with her increase,
And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
I will spend My arrows on them.
Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction;
I will also send against them the teeth of beasts,
With the poison of serpents of the dust.
There shall be terror within
For the young man and virgin,
The nursing child with the man of gray hairs.
I will make the memory of them to cease from among men,"
Lest their adversaries should misunderstand,
Lest they should say, "Our hand is high;
And it is not the LORD who has done all this."'
Nor is there any understanding in them.
That they would consider their latter end!
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the LORD had surrendered them?
Even our enemies themselves being judges.
And of the fields of Gomorrah;
Their grapes are grapes of gall,
Their clusters are bitter.
And the cruel venom of cobras.
Sealed up among My treasures?
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.'
And have compassion on His servants,
When He sees that their power is gone,
And there is no one remaining, bond or free.
The rock in which they sought refuge?
v. 22 The Lowest Hell – The word "hell" here is sheol, referring to the realm or the world of the dead. It is a place where disembodied spirits dwell while waiting for their judgment. It was understood to be in the center of the earth. | v. 34 Is This Not Sealed Up Among My Treasures? – The treasures of God are the things He holds in store for people in the future. Some are blessings. But also among the things that are listed in God's treasures are His vengeance and wrath upon the rebellious. |
And drank the wine of their drink offering?
Let them rise and help you,
And be your refuge.
And there is no God besides Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
And say, "As I live forever,
And My hand takes hold on judgment,
I will render vengeance to My enemies,
And repay those who hate Me.
And My sword shall devour flesh,
With the blood of the slain and the captives,
From the heads of the leaders of the enemy."'
For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And render vengeance to His adversaries;
He will provide atonement for His land and His people."
v. 47 For It Is Not A Vain Thing To You – We are reminder that heeding the Word of God and obeying His commandments are not vain things. Rather, they are from where our life springs. Both the very quality of our life and our eternity depend on our relationship to the words of God. Moses to Die on Mount Nebo v. 49 Mount Abirim, To Mount Nebo – Abirim was a mountain range which was in view from the place they stood at that moment (Num. 21:11). Nebo was one of the mountains in that range. The Lord told Moses to go up to the top of Mount Nebo so that he could get his only glimpse of the Promised Land, because he was not allowed to enter in. | v. 51 Because You Did Not Sanctify Me In The Eyes Of The Children Of Israel – Numbers 20 tells the story of the sin Moses had committed which kept him from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. When the people of Israel were thirsty in the wilderness, Moses did not speak to the rock as God had commanded, but rather struck the rock and strongly rebuked the people. God then said to Moses in Numbers 20:12 that his chief sin in this was that he did not sanctify Him before the people. To sanctify means, "to set apart as holy." Therefore, Moses failed to set God apart from his own sinful emotions, rather giving the children of Israel the impression that God had lost His temper with them as Moses had just done. Thus, he disqualified himself as the one able to lead God's people all the way into the Land of Promise. |