SCRIPTURE
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” Acts 7:48-50
OBSERVATION
Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 is given in response to the accusation that he was speaking against the Temple and the place where the Jews worshiped (Acts 6:12-14). In his speech, Stephen referred to God’s work taking place both outside the Temple and outside Israel. Stephen points to Abraham, Joseph and Moses all having interaction with God in other places. He concludes his speech by saying that God does not live in houses made by men. The religious leaders of the time seemed to want to confine God to a box. In their mind, worship, prayer and experiencing God occurred in the Temple. However, through Stephen, God spoke powerful words that He is the King, and His rule, reign and presence cannot be contained.
APPLICATION
What box do I try to place God in? Do I confine Him to my religious tradition and spiritual practices? Do I limit my interaction with Him to my concepts of what is normal or comfortable? I need to recognize that God the sovereign ruler of the universe and His rule, reign and presence cannot be neatly packaged for my convenience.
PRAYER
Almighty God, you are King! The earth is yours, as is everything in it. Help me not to limit my experience of you to my tradition or my understanding of spirituality. Help me to experience you in new, unexpected ways.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Spirit and Wisdom
SCRIPTURE
Acts 6:3
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
OBSERVATION
At this point in Acts, the church is expanding rapidly and begins to experience growing pains. In this case, it is the distribution of food to the widows. The solution is to choose seven men to oversee the leadership of this ministry. These men are to fulfill three requirements. First, they must be full of the Spirit. What is interesting here is that there is an implication that not all believers are full of the Holy Spirit, and the apostles are making a distinction between the presence of the Holy Spirit in all believers and the fullness of the Holy Spirit in individuals. Second, these men should be full of wisdom and have the ability to make good decisions. Third, the attributes of both fullness of the Spirit and wisdom should be known. Some translations use the phrase, men of good reputation. That seems to imply that these men are living lives that are active and open the in community, visible to those around them.
APPLICATION
So, how am I doing in these three areas. How passionately am I pursuing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? How am I tuning my soul to be sensitive to the moving of the Spirit?
Am I developing wisdom? Am I soaking myself in God’s word and God’s wisdom? Psalm 37:30 says “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart.”
Am I living my life in such a way that the presence and fullness of the Holy Spirit is seen in me by others? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in my life? Do others see wisdom in me? Do I live my life in such a way to be a “man of good reputation?”
PRAYER
Father God, stir the fullness of the Holy Spirit within me. Give me a passion and hunger to pursue your word in such a way that it implants itself in my heart. Help me to live a life that is giving and compassionate. And may all these characteristics in me bring glory, not to me, but to you.
Acts 6:3
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
OBSERVATION
At this point in Acts, the church is expanding rapidly and begins to experience growing pains. In this case, it is the distribution of food to the widows. The solution is to choose seven men to oversee the leadership of this ministry. These men are to fulfill three requirements. First, they must be full of the Spirit. What is interesting here is that there is an implication that not all believers are full of the Holy Spirit, and the apostles are making a distinction between the presence of the Holy Spirit in all believers and the fullness of the Holy Spirit in individuals. Second, these men should be full of wisdom and have the ability to make good decisions. Third, the attributes of both fullness of the Spirit and wisdom should be known. Some translations use the phrase, men of good reputation. That seems to imply that these men are living lives that are active and open the in community, visible to those around them.
APPLICATION
So, how am I doing in these three areas. How passionately am I pursuing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? How am I tuning my soul to be sensitive to the moving of the Spirit?
Am I developing wisdom? Am I soaking myself in God’s word and God’s wisdom? Psalm 37:30 says “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart.”
Am I living my life in such a way that the presence and fullness of the Holy Spirit is seen in me by others? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in my life? Do others see wisdom in me? Do I live my life in such a way to be a “man of good reputation?”
PRAYER
Father God, stir the fullness of the Holy Spirit within me. Give me a passion and hunger to pursue your word in such a way that it implants itself in my heart. Help me to live a life that is giving and compassionate. And may all these characteristics in me bring glory, not to me, but to you.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Comfort
SCRIPTURE
Acts 5:17-21
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
OBSERVATION
The apostles had been arrested and put in prison for preaching and healing in Jesus' name. During the night, they were supernaturally released from prison. However, they were not told to go and hide. They were not told to flee the city. They were told to go into a public place and tell others about this new life found in Jesus Christ. They were told to go into the temple courts, a place where they would definitely be found by those who had thrown them into prison. And they obeyed! They did not allow fear to control their decision, but rather, were led by faith. They fulling embraced the concept, "If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)."
APPLICATION
The apostles in Acts had the potential of loosing their freedom and their very lives. But, in faith, they continued to tell others about the reality of God's grace. In comparison, I have to ask myself, what do I have to loose when telling others about "the full message of this new life?" Probably, the biggest thing I stand to loose when telling others about Jesus is comfort. It can be uncomfortable talking to others about Jesus, and if I'm honest, this desire to stay within my comfortable world will too frequently override my faith and obedience. So, the question remains, am I willing to sacrifice my comfort to share the new life found in Jesus Christ?
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to find more opportunities to step out in obedience and faith and tell others about you and the life you talk about in the Gospels. Help me to be willing to initiate spiritual conversations, even if I feel uncomfortable and nervous. Help my conversations about you to always be seasoned with gentleness and respect.
Acts 5:17-21
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
OBSERVATION
The apostles had been arrested and put in prison for preaching and healing in Jesus' name. During the night, they were supernaturally released from prison. However, they were not told to go and hide. They were not told to flee the city. They were told to go into a public place and tell others about this new life found in Jesus Christ. They were told to go into the temple courts, a place where they would definitely be found by those who had thrown them into prison. And they obeyed! They did not allow fear to control their decision, but rather, were led by faith. They fulling embraced the concept, "If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)."
APPLICATION
The apostles in Acts had the potential of loosing their freedom and their very lives. But, in faith, they continued to tell others about the reality of God's grace. In comparison, I have to ask myself, what do I have to loose when telling others about "the full message of this new life?" Probably, the biggest thing I stand to loose when telling others about Jesus is comfort. It can be uncomfortable talking to others about Jesus, and if I'm honest, this desire to stay within my comfortable world will too frequently override my faith and obedience. So, the question remains, am I willing to sacrifice my comfort to share the new life found in Jesus Christ?
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to find more opportunities to step out in obedience and faith and tell others about you and the life you talk about in the Gospels. Help me to be willing to initiate spiritual conversations, even if I feel uncomfortable and nervous. Help my conversations about you to always be seasoned with gentleness and respect.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Heart Trumps Actions Every Time
Today's Devotions
Genesis 44,45,46
Luke 18
SCRIPTURE
Luke 18:14
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
OBSERVATION
Jesus addresses a group of people that are proud in their own righteousness. They are good at keeping the Law. They fast, they pray, they keep the commandments, they even keep the oral tradition. And they believe that this righteousness is worthy of honor. As he addresses them, He does not attack their adherence to the law, rather He points out that a heart of humility can cancel out all the righteousness gained through keeping the Law.
APPLICATION
It is so easy to become caught up with the things you do for God. Jesus is not indicating that these things are not important or are unnoticed by God, but that what is important as far as God's forgiveness and justification is a heart of humility. We can think that doing the right things will make God happy and result in us getting into heaven. But it is not the right things that get us in to heaven it is the right heart.
PRAYER
God, help me watch my heart. It is so quickly deceived and becomes obsessed with doing instead of being. Forgive me for being fixated on the behavior and seeing that as the most important. Help me instead to guard my heart and stay humble at all times.
Genesis 44,45,46
Luke 18
SCRIPTURE
Luke 18:14
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
OBSERVATION
Jesus addresses a group of people that are proud in their own righteousness. They are good at keeping the Law. They fast, they pray, they keep the commandments, they even keep the oral tradition. And they believe that this righteousness is worthy of honor. As he addresses them, He does not attack their adherence to the law, rather He points out that a heart of humility can cancel out all the righteousness gained through keeping the Law.
APPLICATION
It is so easy to become caught up with the things you do for God. Jesus is not indicating that these things are not important or are unnoticed by God, but that what is important as far as God's forgiveness and justification is a heart of humility. We can think that doing the right things will make God happy and result in us getting into heaven. But it is not the right things that get us in to heaven it is the right heart.
PRAYER
God, help me watch my heart. It is so quickly deceived and becomes obsessed with doing instead of being. Forgive me for being fixated on the behavior and seeing that as the most important. Help me instead to guard my heart and stay humble at all times.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Tempt Not
SCRIPTURE
Luke 17:1-3
Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.
OBSERVATION
These are some very challenging words. We can expect to be surrounded by people and things that would tempt us to sin -- that is part of this fallen world that we live in. But, Jesus gives a particularly strong warning to be careful not to be the instigating cause of someone else's sin, especially children. One translation says, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!"
APPLICATION
We must be careful to walk in a way that does not cause others to sin. This is a challenging task. God is watching how my behavior influences others! This means that my life cannot be lived as if God and I are the only ones that matter. I must live life considering how to be a help rather then a stumbling block to others. I am reminded of the verse that warns parents not to frustrate their children. Being a parent, I know am beginning to understand how difficult it is to direct and lead your children without unnecessarily frustrating them.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to walk circumspectly. Make me aware of those areas in my life that might cause others to stumble and help me to remove them immediately! Amen.
Luke 17:1-3
Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.
OBSERVATION
These are some very challenging words. We can expect to be surrounded by people and things that would tempt us to sin -- that is part of this fallen world that we live in. But, Jesus gives a particularly strong warning to be careful not to be the instigating cause of someone else's sin, especially children. One translation says, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!"
APPLICATION
We must be careful to walk in a way that does not cause others to sin. This is a challenging task. God is watching how my behavior influences others! This means that my life cannot be lived as if God and I are the only ones that matter. I must live life considering how to be a help rather then a stumbling block to others. I am reminded of the verse that warns parents not to frustrate their children. Being a parent, I know am beginning to understand how difficult it is to direct and lead your children without unnecessarily frustrating them.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to walk circumspectly. Make me aware of those areas in my life that might cause others to stumble and help me to remove them immediately! Amen.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Who Gets the Credit?
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 41:16
"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
OBSERVATION
The story of Joseph is ripe with God's sovereignty. It is He who promotes and removes. Joseph seems to be aware of this, keenly aware, and he is careful not to take credit for God's work. This is very different from the little by who told his father and brothers that they would one day bow to him.
He has learned that God's gifts are to be used correctly — with prudence and caution and always giving god the credit.
APPLICATION
Remember that God is sovereign and that He is the one in charge of all. Even skills and abilities that I have the tendency to think are my own — they come from God and I must always give Him the credit! Remember, "I cannot do it, but God..."!
PRAYER
Lord, teach me humility that always gives you the credit off the bat!
Genesis 41:16
"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
OBSERVATION
The story of Joseph is ripe with God's sovereignty. It is He who promotes and removes. Joseph seems to be aware of this, keenly aware, and he is careful not to take credit for God's work. This is very different from the little by who told his father and brothers that they would one day bow to him.
He has learned that God's gifts are to be used correctly — with prudence and caution and always giving god the credit.
APPLICATION
Remember that God is sovereign and that He is the one in charge of all. Even skills and abilities that I have the tendency to think are my own — they come from God and I must always give Him the credit! Remember, "I cannot do it, but God..."!
PRAYER
Lord, teach me humility that always gives you the credit off the bat!
Monday, January 14, 2008
What's Hiding Under Your Tree?
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 35:4 NIV
So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.
Luke 14:33 NIV
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
OBSERVATION
Jacob had a difficult time severing the connection between his families idols and gods. Such was the connection between them that he hid them under the tree at Shechem — with the obvious intent to return and retrieve them at some point in the future.
But he hid them because he was going to worship the living God who he knew was not happy with these things.
Jesus presents us with a similar challenge — to leave all items of worship that are not "true God worship" behind and to sever the connection we have with them.
APPLICATION
It is no easier for us to leave our stuff then it was for Jacob and his family to leave theirs. Yet if we do not, we are simply demonstrating our unwillingness to truly follow Him. We are in effect saying, I'm leaving an exit plan for the future just in case I want to go back to my old ways.
What Jacob should have done, and what we must do, is to destroy all that which is not worthy of Him in our lives.
So we must ask ourselves:
- What am I hiding under my tree?
- What things do I bury and then plan to return to after cleaning myself up to visit with God?
- What exit plans have I made that are simply setting me up for a future fall?
PRAYER
Lord, reveal to me what I have been hiding from you and what exit plans I have made for the future. Give me the strength to remove permanently everything from my life that is not worthy of you.
Genesis 35:4 NIV
So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.
Luke 14:33 NIV
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
OBSERVATION
Jacob had a difficult time severing the connection between his families idols and gods. Such was the connection between them that he hid them under the tree at Shechem — with the obvious intent to return and retrieve them at some point in the future.
But he hid them because he was going to worship the living God who he knew was not happy with these things.
Jesus presents us with a similar challenge — to leave all items of worship that are not "true God worship" behind and to sever the connection we have with them.
APPLICATION
It is no easier for us to leave our stuff then it was for Jacob and his family to leave theirs. Yet if we do not, we are simply demonstrating our unwillingness to truly follow Him. We are in effect saying, I'm leaving an exit plan for the future just in case I want to go back to my old ways.
What Jacob should have done, and what we must do, is to destroy all that which is not worthy of Him in our lives.
So we must ask ourselves:
- What am I hiding under my tree?
- What things do I bury and then plan to return to after cleaning myself up to visit with God?
- What exit plans have I made that are simply setting me up for a future fall?
PRAYER
Lord, reveal to me what I have been hiding from you and what exit plans I have made for the future. Give me the strength to remove permanently everything from my life that is not worthy of you.
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