DailyHope: Real Relationships Comes Through Your Differences
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7 (NIV)
| "God made you different so you can complement each other, complete each other, and strengthen each other." |
(Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of The Relationship Principles of Jesus.)
It’s easy to talk about relationships when everything is going great, but what do you do when things are headed in the wrong direction? How do you turn around a relationship?
God created love in relationships and made us to live in relationship with each other. His advice and direction for relationships can make a real difference. This week I will take you through five specific things from God’s Word that you can do to begin to turn things around in your relationships.
One of our greatest frustrations is when we don’t see things the way someone else sees them. Differences can be a cause of great delight at times, but they can also cause a lot of agony.
You need to realize that God has made you different and then thank him for your differences.
From the very beginning of the Bible, God created us differently, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NIV). Men and women are different physically, but also in the way we work, think, shop, even watch TV – we do everything differently. And we should rejoice in those differences.
If two people agree on everything, one of them isn’t necessary in that relationship. The fact is that God has put you in a relationship – be it marriage or a good friendship – where you probably look at life differently from each other or have different backgrounds. Because of that, you each bring things to the relationship that could not be there otherwise.
God made you different so you can complement each other, complete each other, and strengthen each other.
As today’s verse says, “Accept one another then just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:7 NIV). When you accept each other for your differences, it not only helps your relationship, it brings praise to God. Why? Because you’re accepting the fact that God made you different so you can learn from each other and grow in relationship to each other.
That’s the starting point for turning your relationships around – thank God for your differences.
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ExperiencingGod: "Everywhere Jesus went, God's truth was boldly proclaimed, people were healed, hypocrisy was exposed, and sinners found forgiveness."
You Are Light
Daily Devotional for Monday, February 21st, 2011
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
There is no mistaking the effect of light upon a darkened place. Light boldly and unabashedly announces its presence and vigorously dispels darkness. God's desire is to fill you with His light. He wants you to shine as a brilliant testimony of His presence and power in your life, so that the darkness in the lives of those around you will be displaced by the light of God's glory.
If, however, you notice the world around you becoming darker and darker, don't blame the darkness! It is simply doing what darkness does. The only remedy for darkness is light. If the world is becoming darker, the problem is not with the darkness. The problem is with the light. Jesus said His disciples should be the "light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). What an awesome responsibility--to be the ones through whom God would shine His divine light and dispel the darkness from around others! In announcing His own coming, Jesus said, "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,/ And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death. / Light has dawned" (Matt. 4:16).
There was no ignoring Jesus' arrival upon earth! Darkness was dispelled! Everywhere Jesus went, God's truth was boldly proclaimed, people were healed, hypocrisy was exposed, and sinners found forgiveness. The world was never the same once the Father introduced His light through His Son. Can that be said of you as well? Do your coworkers recognize the light that is within you? Does the presence of Christ radiate from your home into your community? When God's light is allowed to shine unhindered through your life, the darkness around you will be dispelled.
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MikeMacIntosh: "Our infinite God hears and answers our finite prayers."
Today's Devotion
From Mike MacIntosh
Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.
Revelation 8:3, 4
Are you astonished by how prayer works? The apostle John says that our prayers are like a fragrance. Even though we are bound by time and space, our prayers are not. God dwells in an eternal realm where there are no time constraints or space limitations. Our infinite God hears and answers our finite prayers.
I am amazed by space exploration. NASA launched a deep space probe named Pioneer 10 in 1972. In 2003, engineers received the last message from this spacecraft before it passed out of range. The short radio transmission traveled more than eight billion miles and took several hours to reach earth.
As astounding as that is, I am more amazed by the fact that you and I can communicate directly and immediately with the Creator who watches over all the planets. Nehemiah said that it is God who made all of the planets and the stars, and we have the great privilege, as His children, to talk directly to Him (Nehemiah 9:6).
Moses put is best when he said to the people of Israel, "God rides on the heavens to help you" (Deuteronomy 33:26).
Prayer is important to God. That's why He created it to be faster than broadband internet, more durable than fiber-optic signals, and more constant than radio waves. He longs to be in constant and immediate communication... with you.
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DailyKayVid: Kay Arthur "1 Samuel, Part 2 #26: Don’t Blow It!"
BobCaldwell: "Set Apart for Great Things God Will Do"
Set Apart for Great Things God Will Do (Joshua 3:1-4:24) God was about to do some amazing, supernatural things for this new generation of Jews. He was going to work through them to conquer the land promised them. But before this began they were to first "sanctify" themselves to God. This is a vital lesson we can apply to our own experience with God in appropriating His promises. To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for God. They had to prepare their hearts and lives to be used by God however He chose. It is often this adjustment of our hearts to be first set apart for God that prepares us to be transformed by the "wonder" God is about to do. There is a second thing we see. It is to know that true authority and favor comes from God. God promised He would be the one to give this authority to Joshua at the proper time (3:7, 14). Joshua had waited patiently until God's timing to lift him up and to maintain his authority to lead the people. He did not use manipulation, aggression, or other tactics of this fallen world to gain authority over the people. Lastly, we discover the vital need to establish memorials for following generations. The 12 stones taken from the place the Jews crossed over the Jordan River were to be a reminder of the "wonder" God did for them. This is vital in establishing a point of historical reference for what each generation should seek and expect from God themselves. Not to simply talk about the "good old days" but to talk about how the same living God can do great things in each successive generation. These three lessons given to us as God prepares Israel to launch out to take hold of God's promises are principles still true. May our hearts be set on fire with a great expectation of God in our own time and in our own lives. Joshua 3:1-4:24 1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."
Monday, February 21, 2011
NKJV Bible Text
| Israel Crosses the Jordan v. 1 Joshua Rose Early – Joshua's rising early in the morning has often been the type of behavior of those in scripture who saw God do mighty things. Abraham did so when he left for the greatest test of faith of his lifetime (Gen 22:3). It was early in the morning when God called Moses to stand before Pharaoh to command him to "let my people go" (Ex. 8:20). David did so the day he left for the army of Israel and ended up defeating Goliath (1 Sam. 17:20). It was early in the morning when the women left to the tomb of Christ and found He had risen from the dead (Mark 16:2, 9). Jesus often rose early in the morning for prayer (Mark 1:35). Acacia Grove – According to the Jewish historian Josephus, this grove stood seven miles east of the Jordan River. v. 3 Ark of the Covenant – This covenant, or chest, held the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written and the rod that budded as a sign of God's anointing upon Moses' brother Aaron. It also contained a jar of manna, the food supernaturally provided by God each morning on the ground during Israel's 40-year wilderness journey. On top of the chest were two golden cherubim. It was kept in the inner chamber of the Tabernacle, called the Holy of Holies. The top of the chest was called the mercy seat, and it was there, between the two golden cherubim, that God manifested His divine presence. | Covenant – The word "covenant" is a term used of an agreement between two or more parties. The term was used in reference to this chest because it contained the law of God, or the Ten Commandments, which were the basis of God's covenant relationship with Israel. Priests and Levites – Within the priestly tribe of Levi, the family of Kohath was designated for the responsibility of transporting the ark (Num. 4:1-20). v. 4 Space Between You – Because the ark represented the divine presence of God, it was not to be approached except through a very defined process of sacrifice and cleansing. This was to teach the people about the holiness of God which was completely separate from the sinfulness of humanity. It is this problem of approach to God that is behind the teaching in the New Testament book of Hebrews, where it declares that because of Jesus' provision of forgiveness "we can boldly come into the presence of God" (Heb. 4:16, 9:1-10, 25). Two Thousand Cubits – approximately 1,000 yards Not Passed This Way – The people of Israel were to follow this representation of God's presence similar to how they had followed the cloud that had led them during their wilderness journey (Ex. 13:21-22). However, later on in Israel's history, they sought to use the ark of the covenant as a superstitious protection in a battle that proved disastrous (1 Sam. 4:1-11). |
5 And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.'" 9 So Joshua said to the children of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God." 10 And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap."
| v. 5 Sanctify Yourselves – Sanctify is "kawdash" in Hebrew and refers to the process of setting something or someone aside for holy use by God. Both things and people were called to sanctification in the Old Testament. v. 5 Lord Will Do Wonders – From our perspective, a wonder is an amazing event beyond what we can expect from the natural resources of a situation. By sanctifying themselves before God, they were in a place to appreciate the wonderful things God was going to do for them. v. 7 I Will Begin To Exalt – Joshua was called to replace the leadership of Moses, the greatest man who ever walked on earth. This would have been an impossible task if Joshua had tried to force himself on the people and demand the same position as Moses had. Instead, Joshua let God exalt him before the eyes of the people. The key to effective leadership begins with a humble dependency on God to empower and facilitate that leadership. Our responsibility as leaders is to humbly serve God and others with all that we are; it is God's job to exalt. This is the truth behind Jesus' words, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matt. 23:12). v. 8 Stand In the Jordan – The priests were to stand at the banks of the river with their feet in the water as Joshua proclaimed the miracle that was just about to occur. v. 9 Hear the Words – Often in scripture, the foretelling of events was given so people could clearly see the proof of God's divine interventions. Here Joshua proclaimed what was about to happen before it happened. It was a way of strengthening faith in the life of His people. v. 10 Living God Is Among You – God is often referred to as "living" to contrast Him with man's the lifeless idols. Because the true God is a living God, He is able to act upon the real issues that face a real world. Without Fail – God's purposes are as sure as God Himself. He will not fail to accomplish what He has promised to do. | Drive Out – Leviticus 18:24-25 describe why God was about to drive out the people, "Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants." Obviously, if they would have been willing to not be a corrupting force of evil but would have embraced the truths given them by the Jews, they could have remained. Canaanites – These were descendants of the son of Ham, Canaan (Gen. 9:18). They controlled the lowlands of Palestine near the sea (Num. 13:29; Josh. 5:1). Hittites – They were the descendants of Heth and were considered one of the most dominant tribes in Palestine. Hivites – They are listed as descendants of Canaan in Genesis 10:17 and 1 Chronicles 1:15. Shechem was a primary city of theirs (Gen. 34:2). Perizzites – They are referred to in Deuteronomy 3:5 and Joshua 17:15. Girgashites – Little is known about this tribe. They are mentioned in Joshua 24:11, Genesis 15:21, and Deuteronomy 7:1. Amorites – They were considered the most powerful tribe of the Canaanite people. (Amos 2:9). They are referred to in Numbers 13:29; 21:13, 24, 26 and Joshua 11:39. Jebusites – They lived in the central highlands around Jerusalem. They were in control of that region until King David's time (2 Sam. 5:6-8). v. 11 Lord Of All the Earth – The common belief among ancient people was that each people group had its own primary god, or source of protection and power. Joshua made clear to the Jews that they were not to look at their God in that way. Their God was not a god among gods, but the supreme being of the universe and God over all. Shall Rest – God would go before these people and bring His almighty power upon this river so that the people could cross on dry ground. |
14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
| v. 15 Feet Of the Priests – The priests could not see the miracle become a reality until by faith they stepped out into the flooded waters. When they stepped out in faith, the waters separated. Jordan Overflows –Tthe snow melting on Mt. Hermon usually resulted in the water rising above its flood level. Time of Harvest – This reference was to the barley harvest, which occurred around the 10th day of Nisan on the Jewish calendar, and which coincided with the traditional flooding time. | v. 16 Adam – This was 16 miles north of Jericho. Jericho was about four miles north of the Dead Sea where the Jordan River empties itself. This would mean there was approximately 20 miles of the Jordan River that could be crossed on dry land. Sea of the Arabah – Sea of the Arabah referred to the Dead Sea. v. 17 Dry Land – God used this wonder (v. 5) to strengthen the faith of the Jews. What God did for them became a historical point of contact to be used in the future when their faith might grow weak. |
Joshua 4 The Memorial Stones 1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, 'Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.'" 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever." 8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day. 10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. 11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. 12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. 13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.
| Chapter 4 The Memorial Stones v. 2 Take For Yourselves – Joshua had 12 men designated to represent each of the 12 tribes of Israel. v. 3 Priests Feet Stood Firm – After the priest's entered the Jordan River with the Ark of the Covenant, they stood there until all the people had crossed over. This place marked the step of faith the priests had taken to cross the river. In the Lodging Place – They ended up camping at Gilgal, about a mile and a half from Jericho. v. 5 Joshua Said – Joshua repeated what God had told him about what to command the leaders of Israel to do. It is always the mark of a true servant of God to simply be an ambassador representing the wishes and will of the one he represents. v. 6 Your Children Ask – These stones would become a teaching tool for the succeeding generations, a memorial to God's faithfulness in bringing the people of God into the Land of Promise. It points out a reoccurring concern that God has in seeing each new generation brought into a personal encounter with the reality of what God has done and what He can do because of who He is. | v. 9 Joshua Set Up – There were to be memorial stones in Gilgal. But Joshua also set up the same at the edge of the water where the priests went in. Because this event occurred at the peak of flood season, these stones were visible throughout the year as the water receded. v. 10 Moses Had Commanded – This referred to Moses' handing over to Joshua the responsibility of bringing the children of Israel into the Promised Land. v. 13 About Forty Thousand – This did not refer to the larger number of children, women, and elderly who would not have been considered for the army. v. 14 Lord Exalted Joshua – God had promised Joshua this in 3:7. Now that the parting of the Jordan River had occurred as Joshua had predicted, it gave the people confidence that God had ordained Joshua as His servant to lead the people. All the Days – This sustained regard for Joshua was the result of his faithful service to them throughout his life, as well as the favor God showed Joshua before the people. |
15 Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 16 "Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan." 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, "Come up from the Jordan." 18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before. 19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land'; 23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."
| v. 19 Tenth Day of the First Month – This corresponds to the middle of March to the middle of April. The month was called Abib. However, after the return of the Jews from their Babylonian captivity, they began to use the term Nisan. Camped in Gilgal – located approximately one and a half miles from Jericho v. 21 Children Ask – These memorial stones were seen as a tool to awaken in their children an interest about their significance and meaning. There is an obvious principle here that still has great importance in teaching each new generation about the things of God. There should be different evidences of God's proven reality and character that are seen in God's people and in institutions where His influence is the source of blessing. Traditions that become holidays, statues that become an end in themselves, etc., can lose any real influence without teaching the things of God that were the source of these memorials. v. 23 Lord Your God – In responding to the questions of children, it is clear that the goal was to see God as their own God rather than a God of the past. | v. 24 People of the Earth – One of the purposes in God's divine interventions on behalf of His people is to graphically reveal Himself to the rest of the world. God loves the entire world (John 3:16). People from every tribe and people group of the earth will come to a genuine faith in Him in heaven with Him (Rev. 7:9-10). Fear the Lord – The second reason given for God's divine intervention on behalf of His people is to foster a deep-seated awe and reverence for God. Seeing God as so powerful should cause us to not only have reverence for Him but true fear of the consequences of living in rebellion to Him. In Speech – They were well known for their exercise of spiritual gifts, including tongues, prophecy, exhortation, revelation, word of knowledge, wisdom, etc. (1 Cor. 12, 14). In Knowledge – This refers to the understanding of both God and people as given by the Holy Spirit's enabling. Diligence – Paul pointed out in chapter seven how their repentance had been marked by diligence (7:11). |
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Monday Monday Presidents Day
Normal 'Devotionals' should be available on Tuesday.
We are trying to get a "SundayOnMonday" video series going of Sunday Services Videos' posted on Mondays.
The "Book Club" Series and Classic Christian Material has been hot items as people can't always get the classics in Christian Lit.
We have begun in the Last Chance Bible Study Posting the Koran for those who are studying it in Translit, Arabic and English
As always the Joy of the Lord is our strength so heres a toast to coffee and Mondays
Hip Ho Hooo....,
Who DO you think you're foolin?
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DailyLeadership: Do you develop your team or use them for personal gain? (162-1)
Do you develop your team or use them for personal gain? (162-1)
Leaders are in demand when they see the personal growth, well being, and mentoring of their team as part of their leadership responsibility. Read Jeremiah 23:1-16.
God spoke harsh words through His prophet Jeremiah to the leaders of Judah for how they treated the people they led. Verse one starts with the words “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering …” In this context the word “Woe” is used as a threat to indicate that the shepherds (the leaders) would regret something or be punished in some way. God had put these leaders in charge to care for the people of Judah as a shepherd would care for the sheep in his flock, not to see them as a burden or as someone they could use to advance their own wealth or comfort.
Jeremiah gave some criterion under which God would remove a leader. Wise leaders will do some self-evaluation concerning the following:
- Do you develop your team or use them for personal gain?
- Do you scatter the team building organizational growth in silos so you can maintain total control or do you unite them behind a cause so each can utilize their strengths?
- Do you use your power fairly or in a self-serving way no matter what the effect on the team?
- Do you mentor people, developing Biblically sound core values or is your example to the team that you will violate those core values if it is for your benefit?
- Do you foster an environment of integrity and honesty or at times do you reward what ever behavior it takes to get the job done?
- Do you exhort and correct according to the established core values as needed or do you look the other way to avoid confrontation?
Leadership is a privilege but also a responsibility. Christian leaders are stewards who manage the resources that are entrusted to them by God. When leaders participate in the development of their team’s potential, they are acting as faithful stewards of a divine responsibility. Effective leaders manage and develop the capabilities of the people on their team and do not feel threatened if a member of their team is a rising star that moves beyond their team to even greater responsibility. Wise leaders constantly look for the potential of those on their team seeking to find ways to bring out their dignity and character and to unleash the capability in them.
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A.W.Tozer: "Christians all around us are trying every shortcut they can think of, to get "something for nothing" in the kingdom of God."
Tozer Devotional
Devotions » Tozer Devotional
Monday, February 21, 2011
GRACE CAN BE COSTLY
Christians all around us are trying every shortcut they can think of, to get "something for nothing" in the kingdom of God. Talk to them and they will predictably flare up: "Isn't grace something for nothing?" That depends upon what kind of grace we are talking about. Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer gave his life as a martyr in Hitler's Germany, but he left a book now known around the world: The Cost of Discipleship. He pointed out a sharp distinction between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." Although God's grace has been given freely to humans who do not deserve it, Bonhoeffer believed it rightly could be called "costly grace" because it cost our Lord Jesus Christ even the suffering of death. Some men and women have actually turned God's grace into lasciviousness. They do not know what the word grace means-that God gives us out of His rich and full goodness although we are unworthy of it. When I preach about the grace of God and point out that Jesus commanded us to take up our cross and follow Him, those who do not know the meaning of grace respond: "Oh, Tozer is now preaching legalism."
GodCalling: God does the rest.
February 21 - Nothing Can Hurt
The way is plain.
You do not need to see far ahead. Just one step at a time with Me. The same light to guide you as the Hosts of Heaven know -- the Son of Righteousness Himself.
Only self can cast a shadow on the way. Be more afraid of Spirit-unrest, of soul-disturbance, of any ruffling of the Spirit, than of earthquake or fire or any outside forces.
When you feel the absolute calm has been broken -- away alone with Me until your heart sings, and all is strong and calm.
These are the only times when evil can find an entrance. The forces of the evil surround the city of man-soul, and are keenly alert for one such unguarded spot, through which an arrow can pierce and do havoc.
Remember all that you have to do is to keep calm and happy. God does the rest. No evil force can hinder My Power -- only you yourself have power to do that. Think when all God's mighty forces are arrayed to aid you -- and your poor, puny self impedes their onward march.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow...Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34
OurDailyBread: "Arguments happen. But let’s make sure they are resolved. Grudges are a burden too heavy to carry. "
Resolution
Numbers 1-3; Mark 3
In May 1884, two young parents disagreed about what middle name to give their newborn son. The mom preferred Solomon; the dad, Shippe—both family names. Because John and Martha couldn’t agree, they compromised on “S.” Thus Harry S. Truman would become the only US president with an initial for a middle name.
Over 120 years later, we still know about this conflict—but we also know that a reasonable resolution was reached.
In the New Testament, we read about another disagreement that has lived on in history. This one was between two missionaries: Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15). Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them on a trip to check on some churches they had helped previously (v.37). But Paul did not trust Mark because of an earlier incident (v.38). Paul and Barnabas disagreed so sharply that they parted ways (v.39).
We still read about this argument 2,000 years later. What’s important is not that it lived on in history, but that it didn’t leave permanent relationship scars. Paul apparently reconciled with Barnabas, and in his final days asked for Mark to be with him because “he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11).
Arguments happen. But let’s make sure they are resolved. Grudges are a burden too heavy to carry.
Arguments can lead to grudges,
Which, if left, will cause a rift;
But if we bring resolution,
Our relationships won’t drift. —Sper
A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed.
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JonCourson: ““God has things in store for us that are mind-blowing
| February 21 | ||
| Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. | ||
| Judges 5:23 | ||
| Although we don’t know its exact location, Meroz was a city of Israel in the region of the battle that ensued between Israel and the Canaanite king, Jabin. The inhabitants of Meroz were cursed for their failure to get involved in the battle. The same is still true. Cursed will be the man or woman who does not get involved in the battle, who does not get involved in service. You see, when we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, those who didn’t get involved - who sat back day after week after month after year after decade, missing opportunities in their own communities to be part of God’s plan for the area - will weep. “Why did I waste my life?” they will cry. “What was I thinking? Why did I have time for this and that - but not to get involved in what God called me to do, in what He gave me the ability to do?” God has things in store for us that are mind-blowing, gang, but this is the only opportunity we have to be able to be at the top or middle level - ruling ten or five cities. There will be many in Heaven who make it, “yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). They will be there, but they’ll have no rewards because they buried the personality, intellectual ability, musical skill, or finances God entrusted to them. As a result, they’ll curse themselves. The way to be sad today is to not serve the Lord - to focus on your problems, your situation, your hurts, your needs, your life. Everything is discouraging when we live for ourselves. Instead of worrying about what shape you’re in emotionally, financially, or physically, forget about yourself and start serving others. Jesus said, “The measure you give out will be the measure returned to you” (see Matthew 7:2). Start serving others and I guarantee you’ll find yourself free from the curse of self-absorption today, and free from cursing yourself in the days to come. | ||
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OneYearBible: Leviticus 11:1-12:8 ~ Mark 5:21-43 ~ Psalm 38:1-22 ~ Proverbs 10:8-9
February 21st One Year Bible Readings
Leviticus 11:1-12:8 ~ Mark 5:21-43 ~ Psalm 38:1-22 ~ Proverbs 10:8-9
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~ Listen to today's Scripture on OneYearAudioBible.org or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~
TranslateOld Testament - Today in Leviticus chapter 11 we read about ceremonially clean and unclean animals for the Israelites. The One Year Bible Companion commentary on this chapter today states that "there were several reasons for this restricted diet - 1. to ensure the health of the nation. The forbidden foods were usually scavenging animals that fed on dead animals; thus disease could be transmitted through them. 2. to visibly distinguish Israel from other nations. The pig, for example, was a common sacrifice of pagan religions. 3. To avoid objectionable associations. The creatures that move about on the ground, for example, were reminiscent of serpents, which often symbolized sin."
Verses 20-22 mention of eating locusts reminded me of John the Baptist: "You are to consider detestable all swarming insects that walk along the ground. However, there are some exceptions that you may eat. These include insects that jump with their hind legs: locusts of all varieties, crickets, bald locusts, and grasshoppers. All these may be eaten." Commentary at bible.org on "The Clean & the Unclean" from Leviticus chapter 11 is at this link, and from chapter 12 is at this link. And yes, in theory, this is a grasshopper in the image below. It's clean! :)
Today in chapter 11 verse 44 we read: “After all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy.” How does this verse speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy? Zondervan shares the following commentary on this verse – “Holiness is the key theme of Leviticus, ringing like a refrain in various forms throughout the book. The word “holy” appears more often in Leviticus than in any other book of the Bible. Israel was to be totally consecrated to God. Her holiness was to be expressed in every aspect of her life, to the extent that all of life had a certain ceremonial quality. Because of who God is and what he has done, his people must dedicate themselves fully to him.” Check out Peter quoting from this Leviticus verse in 1 Peter 1 verses 13-16 – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” How do these verses speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy?
New Testament - The structure of today's readings in Mark chapter 5 are amazing! The narrative starts with Jairus asking Jesus to heal his daughter who is about to die - but, then, in the middle of the narrative Jesus' journey is stopped by a woman who simply wants to touch Jesus' robe so that she will be healed from a 12-year suffering. And verse 34 in this portion is just so beautiful as Jesus says to the now healed woman: ""Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.""
Then, the narrative cuts back to Jairus, but it sounds like it's too late for Jesus to come to the house. Messengers report that the little girl has died. Jesus simply tells Jairus in verse 36 - "Just trust me." (which is something so powerful that I believe Jesus says to you and me today too - "Just trust me." Don't worry about anything else in this passing life. "Just trust me.") And then in verses 40 & 41 we read: "Then he took the girl's father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, "Get up, little girl!"
Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org on today's readings in Mark chapter 5 entitled "Where there is Death there is Hope" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 38 is powerful. Verses 4 & 5 speak so much to our human condition - "My guilt overwhelms me--it is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins." Does this verse speak to you in any way, shape or form? If so, please consider then verse 18 - "But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done." Will you confess your sins to God today? Will you admit that you are truly sorry for your sins? Will you pray for healing from your sins? Will you make confession of your sins to God a regular practice?
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 8 is a good reminder to consider how much and how often and how meaningful our words are when we speak: "The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces."
Worship God: Based on our Leviticus readings today about holiness, here's an amazing live worship performance by Chris Tomlin of the song "Holy is the Lord." Enjoy!
Do you often cry "Holy?" Click here for Holiness!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy." Leviticus 11:45 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray for holiness in your life.
Comments from you & Question of the Day: Related to this Proverb above, I read an article recently about how "small talk" is getting more prevalent in our world today. And as a society we are speaking less often about sincere or meaningful matters. Instead we prefer to talk a lot about the weather or sports or celebrities. It does make me wonder - is some of this small talk just babbling? I don't know. I guess I just pray that when we speak we will speak sincerely in truth and love. And not just talk to hear ourselves talk. Do you think that some of our small talk is simply babbling? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
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StreamsInTheDesert: "because he delighted in me"
"He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me;because he delighted in me" (Ps. 18:19).
And what is this "large place"? What can it be but God Himself, that infinite Being in whom all other beings and all other streams of life terminate? God is a large place indeed. And it was through humiliation, through abasement, through nothingness that David was brought into it.--Madame Guyon
***
"I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exod. 19:4).
***
Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.
Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
"Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.
Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappointments came; I could not tell
The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
Unto Myself I call."
Watching my heroes--those I loved the best--
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
Unto Himself me drew.
Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
Unto Himself I'm brought.
--selected
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DailyLight: "Beloved in God the Father."
February 21
MORNING
“I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”
“I am the Lord your God, who have separated you from the peoples. . . . You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.”
Beloved in God the Father.—“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”— Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.—Our . . . Savior Jesus Christ . . . gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.—For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.—“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”—In the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.
Lev. 20:8; Lev. 20:24, 26; Jude 1; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:12; Titus 2:13, 14; Heb. 2:11; John 17:19; 1 Pet. 1:2
EVENING
Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
And what you sow is not the body that is to be.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. . . . In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ps. 97:11; Ps. 126:5, 6; 1 Cor. 15:37; 1 Pet. 1:3, 6, 7
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My Prayer: "Faith is only as great as the circumstances it responds to"
Most people are looking for someone to validate them and thier learning process by finding 'like minds' who agree.
They seek people of the same ilk that think like they do, act like they do, want the same things they do and behave like they do.
Some think of this a unity. It is the Ultimate Prejudicial environment and is contrary to God and His nature.
God has declared diversity and uniqueness in Creation and the empowerment of His will within a persons life.
When he leads, there will be adversity to determine opportunity for development of common agendas by diverse individualtiy.
The bible declares it isn't the person who agrees with you that is of the greatest benefit, but the one who does not.
Anyone can have a fan club, everyone has family who at times will accept you even when wrong, but the scripture declares
"There is a friend who is closer than a Brother"
Jesus did not have disciples who agreed with him.
He did not have a family who fully supported him.
He did not go to a people who completely accepted Him.
He did not say things that everyone understood.
In fact the greatest acheivement He accomplished was listed as the despisement of man and rejection of followers.
Yet that greatest importunity provided God the opportunity to save the world.
To do that and to be that at times you will walk way with God.
And leave men and women behind.
Do not fear to be Enoch
A walk alone with God.
(My prayer)
"Father,
The times and seasons of joy are a delight to you and I praise you for them.
Yet I know O God you spared not your son.
It is a hard saying I pray from scripture today,
for it is of thy will and not mine be done.
But hear me O God and be swift to comply,
Let not my pleasure or comfort prevent you from accomplishing.
As you spared not your only begotten Son in order to do your greater will;
I pray merciful God on bended knee and trembling heart,
If even just for one soul to save,
You spare not I to accomplish your will.
But do as you would.
In living and In dying,
Father,
Thy Will Be Done.
Amen
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