SCRIPTURE
SCRIPTURE:
Matt. 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV
OBSERVATION
Do you notice that it says ‘Everything?’ Not just a few things but all things! Being considerate of others is one of the foundational teachings of Scripture. The Bible is
an ‘Other’ centered book. One person said: With one small exception, the whole world is all about others. If we take this to heart, we will life a full life and fulfill the teachings of the Law and Prophets. Maybe this is why we callthis the golden rule because it is very costly when you don’t function this way!
APPLICATION
Before I act on my emotional sense, I am going to pass my feelings through the grid of my mind and the Holy Scriptures.
PRAYER
May I be one of those who seeks to put others first in all I do and do to them only those things that I would want done to me.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Plumbers of Men?
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
OBSERVATION
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew from what they were doing — casting their nets into the lake — and tells them that he will make them into fishermen of a different kind. He will make them into fishers of men.
APPLICATION
We who follow Jesus are like Peter and Andrew. He has called us out and said to us, "I will make you fishers of men." Except, if He were calling us today, He would most likely use our own profession instead of that of fishermen. He might say, "come and I will make you an engineer of men", or "a plumber of men, one who is going to help clean out men's hearts", or "a builder of men."
Jesus has a way of calling us where we are at and using our skills and talents for His purposes. His purposes are primarily to draw more men and women to Himself. The question is, am I cooperating with Him in this strategy or am I just living life enjoying the blessings He has given me? I must remember, my call is to be one who goes after the heart of men and women for the purpose of bringing them into His Kingdom!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see the lost of the world and make the choice not to turn away, but to see myself as part of your Kingdom purpose of drawing men to Yourself. Help me to open my mouth, use my hands and give of myself to this most important task. Amen.
Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
OBSERVATION
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew from what they were doing — casting their nets into the lake — and tells them that he will make them into fishermen of a different kind. He will make them into fishers of men.
APPLICATION
We who follow Jesus are like Peter and Andrew. He has called us out and said to us, "I will make you fishers of men." Except, if He were calling us today, He would most likely use our own profession instead of that of fishermen. He might say, "come and I will make you an engineer of men", or "a plumber of men, one who is going to help clean out men's hearts", or "a builder of men."
Jesus has a way of calling us where we are at and using our skills and talents for His purposes. His purposes are primarily to draw more men and women to Himself. The question is, am I cooperating with Him in this strategy or am I just living life enjoying the blessings He has given me? I must remember, my call is to be one who goes after the heart of men and women for the purpose of bringing them into His Kingdom!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see the lost of the world and make the choice not to turn away, but to see myself as part of your Kingdom purpose of drawing men to Yourself. Help me to open my mouth, use my hands and give of myself to this most important task. Amen.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Desired Examination
SCRIPTURE
Psalms 11:4-5
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
OBSERVATION
Here it is clear that the examination of the Lord is a desirable thing...if one is righteous! On the other hand, it seems that the Lord does not spend too much time looking at the wicked.
APPLICATION
One's first reaction to the examination of the Lord has got to be a little bit of anxiety and concern! We are mortal and He is immortal, we are imperfect and He is perfect, we are full of sin and He is sinless. Any examination would seem to be a damning one for us.
And yet, the examination of the Lord is desirable! To have the Lord spend time on you and me is actually an endearing thing because it demonstrates His desire to spend time with us. Further, we need not fear His examination because when we are "in Christ." Christ has paid the price for our sine and our inadequacy. Now, the Lord's examination is a wonderful thing. He shines His light on us to expose that which is not yet given over to Him fully and we can thank Him.
As Jesus says in the book of John, those who are of the light, love the light!
PRAYER
Lord, shine your light on me and help me to receive it with joy rather then fear. Help me to respond to the warmth of your light by aggressively dealing with the things that are not of you that are in my life. Amen.
Psalms 11:4-5
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
OBSERVATION
Here it is clear that the examination of the Lord is a desirable thing...if one is righteous! On the other hand, it seems that the Lord does not spend too much time looking at the wicked.
APPLICATION
One's first reaction to the examination of the Lord has got to be a little bit of anxiety and concern! We are mortal and He is immortal, we are imperfect and He is perfect, we are full of sin and He is sinless. Any examination would seem to be a damning one for us.
And yet, the examination of the Lord is desirable! To have the Lord spend time on you and me is actually an endearing thing because it demonstrates His desire to spend time with us. Further, we need not fear His examination because when we are "in Christ." Christ has paid the price for our sine and our inadequacy. Now, the Lord's examination is a wonderful thing. He shines His light on us to expose that which is not yet given over to Him fully and we can thank Him.
As Jesus says in the book of John, those who are of the light, love the light!
PRAYER
Lord, shine your light on me and help me to receive it with joy rather then fear. Help me to respond to the warmth of your light by aggressively dealing with the things that are not of you that are in my life. Amen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Battle is the Lord's
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 17:47
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
OBSERVATION
David made a choice not to rely on the usual weapons of his day in his battle against Goliath, but instead to chose the small but useful tools he was familiar with. This way everyone would know that it was a God-thing, and not a David-thing when Goliath lay defeated.
APPLICATION
God doesn't need much, just a willing person with a bold heart and a commitment to him. He can do great things with us, if we will only trust him and face life with Him. Far too often I have relied on my own skills rather then trusting in His.
PRAYER
Lord, you're big enough to destroy every Goliath in my life. Help me to walk into battle trusting you instead of finding comfort in the tools that man says are right for the job!
1 Samuel 17:47
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
OBSERVATION
David made a choice not to rely on the usual weapons of his day in his battle against Goliath, but instead to chose the small but useful tools he was familiar with. This way everyone would know that it was a God-thing, and not a David-thing when Goliath lay defeated.
APPLICATION
God doesn't need much, just a willing person with a bold heart and a commitment to him. He can do great things with us, if we will only trust him and face life with Him. Far too often I have relied on my own skills rather then trusting in His.
PRAYER
Lord, you're big enough to destroy every Goliath in my life. Help me to walk into battle trusting you instead of finding comfort in the tools that man says are right for the job!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 15:13-14
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."
14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"
OBSERVATION
Saul did not obey fully what the Lord had commanded him to do through Samuel. But here he is trying to explain that he really did obey. In the next few verses, he gives the reason for his disobedience and even tries to make it look and sound good by saying that it was so that "sacrifices could be made to the Lord."
APPLICATION
Partial obedience is disobedience. Anything less then full obedience is disobedience in God's eyes. And further, you had better not try to justify yourself to God! He knows the whole truth and is not impressed by our attempts to make things look and sound better.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be FULLY obedient to those things you have called me to. Help me to be obedient at all times and in all circumstances, not just when it is convenient and not just to the degree that I am comfortable with—but ALL THE WAY! Amen.
1 Samuel 15:13-14
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."
14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"
OBSERVATION
Saul did not obey fully what the Lord had commanded him to do through Samuel. But here he is trying to explain that he really did obey. In the next few verses, he gives the reason for his disobedience and even tries to make it look and sound good by saying that it was so that "sacrifices could be made to the Lord."
APPLICATION
Partial obedience is disobedience. Anything less then full obedience is disobedience in God's eyes. And further, you had better not try to justify yourself to God! He knows the whole truth and is not impressed by our attempts to make things look and sound better.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be FULLY obedient to those things you have called me to. Help me to be obedient at all times and in all circumstances, not just when it is convenient and not just to the degree that I am comfortable with—but ALL THE WAY! Amen.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Rash Oath
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 14:24
Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.
OBSERVATION
Saul made a stupid oath that resulted in his own soldiers running out of energy in the midst of the battle. And later because of their hunger, they then committed sin when they began to slay animals and eat them without properly preparing them.
APPLICATION
Leaders must be careful because their decisions impact others. Father and mothers must be careful because their decisions impact their children. We can make promises too quickly. We can make blanket statements without thinking about their consequences.
We learn in 1 Samuel that this is not a wise thing to do!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consider before acting. Help me to keep in mind that my actions impact the lives of my family in ways that I don't even anticipate and I thus must be more careful and intentional about what I say and do. Amen.
1 Samuel 14:24
Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.
OBSERVATION
Saul made a stupid oath that resulted in his own soldiers running out of energy in the midst of the battle. And later because of their hunger, they then committed sin when they began to slay animals and eat them without properly preparing them.
APPLICATION
Leaders must be careful because their decisions impact others. Father and mothers must be careful because their decisions impact their children. We can make promises too quickly. We can make blanket statements without thinking about their consequences.
We learn in 1 Samuel that this is not a wise thing to do!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consider before acting. Help me to keep in mind that my actions impact the lives of my family in ways that I don't even anticipate and I thus must be more careful and intentional about what I say and do. Amen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
OBSERVATION
There are stongholds, and arguments and pretensions that actually set themselves against "the knowledge of God." Satan distorts the truth about God, he doesen't want us to "know" God. When we really "know" God, Satan cannot gain any strongholds in our lives. A stronghold in the mind is a collection of thoughts in agreement with Satan- thoughts that are lies against what God has revealed about Himself.
APPLICATION
This is one important reason why we must spend time in God's Word. He reveals Himself in the scriptures. When thoughts come in our minds, it could be just a little thought, "God can't love me." If you begin to agree with that thought, it will be just a matter of time before Satan gets a stronghold in your life that can keep you out of the intimate relationship you really have with God your Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I might have the thought but I don't have to agree with it, because it is Satan's lie. God has revealed exactly how He feels about me in His word. We have to take our thoughts captive and bring them into obedience
PRAYER
Lord, the truth about who you really are, the "knowing" you is so sweet. Keep my mind set on the truths I know about you and may I "know" you more and more!
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
OBSERVATION
There are stongholds, and arguments and pretensions that actually set themselves against "the knowledge of God." Satan distorts the truth about God, he doesen't want us to "know" God. When we really "know" God, Satan cannot gain any strongholds in our lives. A stronghold in the mind is a collection of thoughts in agreement with Satan- thoughts that are lies against what God has revealed about Himself.
APPLICATION
This is one important reason why we must spend time in God's Word. He reveals Himself in the scriptures. When thoughts come in our minds, it could be just a little thought, "God can't love me." If you begin to agree with that thought, it will be just a matter of time before Satan gets a stronghold in your life that can keep you out of the intimate relationship you really have with God your Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I might have the thought but I don't have to agree with it, because it is Satan's lie. God has revealed exactly how He feels about me in His word. We have to take our thoughts captive and bring them into obedience
PRAYER
Lord, the truth about who you really are, the "knowing" you is so sweet. Keep my mind set on the truths I know about you and may I "know" you more and more!
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