What is the bleating in my ears?

Reading: 1 Samuel 15-16 and Matthew 8

 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:14, And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”

 

Thoughts: After Saul we to destroy Amalek and did not destroy everything like God command, Samuel came onto the scene and confronts Saul about this sin. We all have sin in our lives no matter if it’s habitual sin or something that was something that snuck in, we are all in the process of sanctification, we are not perfect yet but we are striving for it. Do you have someone who will call you on those sins. I have some friends who help, but my biggest helpers is my family, out of the mouths of little kids, “Why did you do or say that?” or a loving spouse who sees your garbage almost as clearly as you do and calls you on it. Who are the people in your life that will call it as it is, a sin is a sin and it causes separation?

 

Prayer: Father God, you are the one true King, your creation is the testament of your great power and majesty. I thank you that you see us through the blood of your Son and that we have been forgiven, I thank you that you sent your Son. You have called us to be holy as You are holy, we are all in process and will still fall, I ask that you help us to see those who will help us and call out sin in our lives, and help us to be that friend as well. 

I forced myself

Reading: 1 Samuel 13-14 and Matthew 7

 

Scripture: 1 Samuel, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”

 

Thoughts: To me the words Saul chose to use were interesting, “I forced myself” makes it sound like there was some force within him keeping him from offering this sacrifice that he was to be waiting for Samuel to come for. Earlier during Saul’s encounter with God he was changed, when we are changed and called are we falling back into old habits or maybe like Saul trying to make things move faster than God’s plan. God had a schedule Samuel was to get there when he was meant to get there. When we try to expedite God’s timing we move beyond God’s plan. Yes, he can still use that got his good and his glory but like Saul we may miss out on the greater blessing that He has for us when we try to move things along when we feel God or his servants are late. 

 

Prayer: Lord God, all creation shouts of your glory. Your grace and mercy overwhelms me. I thank you that you have thoughts of me. I thank you that you are working in my life, molding and refining me to be who you call me to be. Father I ask that you help me to wait on you and your plan. 

 

Made new or running from change

Reading: 1 Samuel 10-12 and Matthew 6

 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:9, When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.

 

Thoughts: After Saul’s first encounter with Samuel, as he was leaving God gave him a new heart, and Samuel told him that God would make him a new man. When we we have an encounter with God we are changed forever. The question is not are you changed but how are you changed, growing up even after an encounter in my mid teens I ran even though I made an outward appearance of seeking I had started my running and playing the Sunday morning Christian. It took two divorces and finally starting to let God’s voice get through before my life started to change and I began the process of becoming a new man. Are we running from our encounter or embracing it? 

 

Prayer: Lord God, you seek us, call to us and encounter us where we are, to encourage us to walk in your plan. Help us to hear your voice and seek after is, may our fear not cause us to run the other way and hide from your love and glory. 

Seeking for what I have.

Reading: 1 Samuel 8-9 and Matthew 5

 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:19-20, But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 

 

Thoughts: As these men pressed Samuel for a king that Samuel warned them they didn’t want. Then they proceeded to give a list of things that the king will do, all which God wound do as long as Israel was seeking him. How many times have we gone up to a fence that God has told us not to cross and after debates and looking at all the things we want on the other side of that fence, we jump over and find that it is almost exactly what we had but now we have a sin or maybe if we are lucky just need to return to the last place God told us to go. Are we seeking something God has already given us from this world?

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the great provider, you give us all we need, you take care of us and lead us and guide us, you go before us and fight our battles, the victories are yours. I place my wants and needs in your hands. Help me to walk in your ways and in your truth and not be looking for the blessing you bring from this world.

You victories.

Reading: 1 Samuel 4-7 and Matthew 4

 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:12, Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”

 

Thoughts: After using the Philistines to bring about what he had told Samuel and Eli and the Ark is returned through God’s guiding hand. God then gave Israel victory over the Philistines. After this victory Samuel sets up this stone giving it a name the means stone of help, declaring God helped Israel though this situation and to defeat the Philistines. Is there a stone of help that we need to set up as a reminder or is there a stone that God is holding out to us because he has a victory for us? 

 

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for those Ebenezers that you have given to me over the years the victories in my life. I thank you that you have others that you are holding out to me. All my victories you in you and my peace and joy come from you oh God. I ask that you help me see those things you have for me to claim victory in. 

Are you listening???

Reading: 1 Samuel 1-3 and Matthew 3

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:8-9, And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

 

Thoughts: God through Holy Spirit, calls us, it may not be audible like when Samuel heard to the point of waking us up. I have had times where I have been woken up with a name or situation on my heart, I cannot say I ever got resolution to why I was woken up to pray and sometime I ignored It and rolled over and struggled with sleep the rest of the night. We are all called and when we hear are we listening? Eli told Samuel to open himself up to the calling by saying I’m listening. Today most people are not listening, they are hearing as they wait to respond. With this tendency in our day to day conversation it is easy to fall into that with God, in group prayers instead of being present and agreeing with those we are praying with we are preparing for our turn and trying to not leave silence, but God speaks most often in that silence. 

Prayer: Lord God, your servant is here and listening.

Showing Concern.

Reading: Ruth 1-4 and Matthew 2

Scripture: Ruth 2:8, Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.

Thoughts: Ruth not knowing what was going to become of her going with Naomi, weather they would be redeemed or die widows went to a land unknown to her. We don’t know how much of the laws and traditions of the Israelite people she was told before she clung to Neomi. I have heard so many young ladies in the church talking about or being taught about looking for a Boaz, someone who will honor and respect them. Reading this passage when Boaz first interacts with Ruth, made me think about how are we treating those people who come into our lives? Boaz appears to have some knowledge of who Ruth is by reputation and the honor she showed Neomi and that he was in the line of redeemers, but why treat her so well? I felt like this is a picture of the love and honor we are to show to all people. It does not matter who they are what their background is we are all God’s creation and he wants a relationship with all of us. Boaz had concern and protected Ruth before she offered redemption to Boaz. Let us have concern for those who do not yet know the Father. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so amazing, you toke a broken family that would end the line and redeem it to bring forth the most notable king and through this line your Son. I thank you for the work you are doing in my life and the plans that I get to be apart of. I ask that you help me to be like Boaz and take care and show concern for those around me. 

What is that smell???

Reading: Judges 20-21 and Matthew 1

Scripture: Judges 20:5-6, And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead. So I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, for they have committed abomination and outrage in Israel.

Thoughts: In the honor and shame culture of the time a concubine was somewhere between a wife and a servant, they are like a bought wife with less rights, not that women had many at the time. Even with that true just from a humanity stance I do not know how anyone could cut up a body and send it across their nation. Without refrigeration and it is not likely he did any sort of preservation by the time those pieces got to the different leaders they would small even good meat that has been left out for a little too long smells bad. In addition to that depending on how it was presented and given to those leaders they would have become unclean. Just as the actions of these Benjaminites brought shame and destruction on much of their tribe, when we do not stand for God’s law and God’s truth, the evil will prosper. In today’s world we are seeing the changing of the meanings of words to be meaningless, we are being told that things that God says are wrong are good. Let us hold fast to God’s word and God’s truth, we are told that the world will hate us because it first hated Him whom we follow. Let us love the world that will hate us but also walk boldly in God’s truth. 

Prayer: Lord God you are the way, the truth, and the Life, we follow you and seek after you in a world that is not. I ask that you help me to be a light wherever I go, may your love and joy overflow onto those I interact with. Help me hold onto your truth and overcome the evil influences around me. Mold me and refine me into the vessel you need me to be. 

Right in their own eyes.

Reading: Judges 17-19 and 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture: Judges 17:6, In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Thoughts: This saying is common throughout the book of Judges, after the time of operation where all they had was to lean on God, they were brought out of Egypt and given the law to live by and the promised land to live in. After a time being spread out and influenced by those they did not drive out, the phrase “everyone did what was right in their own eye” would surface. Here we are close to 3000 years later and this phrase has resurfaced in the subjective truth of this is how I feel so it must be true, and you can not argue that it is not true. Whose truth are we walking in our own or God’s objective truth that can not change? 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are beyond time, that you are the creator of all things and in turn created truth that does not change. You lead us and guide us in your truth. I thank you that you are still working in me and helping be to become that man you call me to be. I ask that you help me to see where I create my own truth, or do what is right in my own eyes, give me your eyes and your truth that I may walk in it, to seek it and to linger in your presence all my days. 

Stop negging me!!!!

Reading: Judges 14-16 and 2 Thessalonians 1-2

Scripture: Judges 16:16, And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death.

Thoughts: I’m sure we all have been negged about something, be it doing a chore or getting homework done. Sampson had a life that was lived on the verge of breaking the vow that was put upon him in his mother’s womb. As he pushed up on the boundaries of the vow he became comfortable with pushing those boundaries to the point that after lying top Delila so many times that he finally told her a condition of the vow. Are we walking close to sin that we may be enticed or even nagged or bullied into that sin? 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, your grace abounds, your love overwhelms, and your joy lifts me. I thank you for all that you are doing in my life. I thank you for the molding and refining that you are doing today and forever. Help me to move away from those places that I am inviting nagging and bullying, lead me into those green pastures and bring peace into this place. 

Sort and Sweet

Reading: Judges 11-13 and 1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Rejoice always

Thoughts: In English Jesus wept is the shortest verse in the Bible and almost every kid who grew up in the church uses that as one of there memorized verses. But in the Greek the shortest verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “rejoice always” this command to the believers in Thessalonica and to us that even through all the trials and tribulations that you are dealing with and that are coming rejoice, rejoice that we are deemed worthy of even a fraction of what our savior went through, rejoice that we are here, rejoice that we have a citizenship in heaven. 

Prayer: Lord God I thank you that you are with us, I thank you that you are opening doors and leading us as we go. I thank you that you walk with us though our trials and tribulations and that you give us the power and authority to overcome the evil one. I rejoice in your authority, I rejoice in your love, I rejoice in your joy and I ask for help in rejoicing in my trials and tribulations. You are the one true God and I seek after you. 

Go cry out to the gods you have chosen!!

Reading: Judges 9-10 and 1 Thessalonians 3-4

Scripture: Judges 10:12-14, The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.

Thoughts: I hear it time and time again that the God of the Old Testament is different than the God of the new. When we just look at how much destruction came from God before Jesus and what Jesus preach and taught his disciples it can look that way. God here as reminding Israel that he brought them out of all these things, yet they went after other gods. When we go after other gods, we are given the same options repent and seek God with all our hearts or be given over to our sins. Paul talks about that in Romans 1:24, the evil one and the world who have been influenced by the evil one is always trying to get us off track. Most of us are rooted in our faith that we are not going to just become unbelievers, but he will work to get us to be ineffective in our calling. Those others gods that we may be crying out to, can be things like money, possessions, or even affirmation in the form of likes on social media. All these are not bad things but how you interact with them shows if they are elevated to a god status in your life. Let us look at what God did for us and is still doing for us and if there needs to be a return, because he has given us over to our sins and said go cry to your gods.

Prayer: Father God, you are the creator of all things, you made it all therefore it all is yours. Your ways are higher than our ways. I thank you that you call and not just force us to be your children. I thank you that you are forming me and refining me every day. Help me to evaluate if I am putting anything before you or even bringing anything close to being equal to you. Your glory shines and is being shout by all creation. I ask that you forgive those sins I have and help me to grow into the man you call me to be. May you be glorified all the days of my life. 

Let us shake some trees!!!

Reading: Judges 7-8 and 1 Thessalonians 1-2

Scripture: Judges 7:4, And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.”

Thoughts: When staring down an army so large that it says they were like locust, I would already be shaking in my boots, then God lets 2/3 of your army go because they were scared. Then God says that the army is still too big, I probably would have had a few choice words for God just saying to lower our numbers, let alone when I saw only 300 men left. Today we are that 300, we are all called to simply share God with those around us. The Church is to be a place of teaching, equipping, and discipling, but so often we think if we get someone to the church then it is the job of the paid staff to present the gospel. A great illustration of this is this world is an orchard trees every where with fruit on it all that fruit is at different stages of being ripe. We need to go out and shake those trees around us, the fruit that is ready will fall and become part of the family of Christ but if it remains on the tree, we have watered it, gave it an opportunity to ripen a little more. It is not about us or anything we do but its about what God is doing in their heart. We are partnered with Holy Spirit and he will always be available when we step out and share God.

Prayer: Father, your heart is for the lost, your heart breaks for this world to the point that you sent your Son to open a way back to you. I thank you that you are doing a work in me, I thank you that you are leading and guiding my growth. I ask that you help me to step out of my comfort zone and shake some trees. Lord many you be honored and glorified in all we do. 

I'm not worthy.

Reading: Judges 5-6 and Colossians 4

Scripture: Judges 6:12&15, And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” … And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 

Thoughts: When we are called, how many of us feel we are qualified or equipped? Gideon was given a compliment then told to use what he had ben complimented on to save Israel. I know that I don’t feel qualified, I don’t feel like I have the qualities that I have been told I have. Like Gideon I have made excuses on why I should not be the one. One of my favorite sayings that I have heard is “God is not looking for the equipped, he is equipping the available.” When we keep waiting to be equipped and saying I will go when I have this or that, the opportunities God has called us too, will walk on by. Just the other day I was out with my wife and friends and I felt like I needed to talk to this person who was playing basketball. When we got closer as we walked around the park, I chickened out putting up excuses, maybe there would be a language barrier, or I would be told off or something. I let the obstacles that Holy Spirit can overcome keep me from sharing God with someone. Just because we feel unworthy or ill-equipped does not mean that we are. 

Prayer: Father God, your love overwhelms, your creation shines and shouts of your glory. I thank you for this day and the opportunities that you have orchestrated this day. I thank you for the molding and refining who I am and helping me to Grow in who you call me to be. I thank you for the gifts and abilities that you have given me. Lead me guide me and help me to overcome my fears and anxiety when stepping out, help me to be obedient and in that obedience be bold. 

Am I doing this right?

Reading: Judges 3-4, Psalm 14, and Colossians 3

Scripture: Colossians 3:21, Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Thoughts: I do not know how many times I had heard people talk about the verses just before this, and yes, I understand the significance of those verses and that we need proper relationships with our spouses and parents. So often this verse about father gets skipped, being a father of a 6 and a 4 year-old is part of the reason this stood out to me today. I struggle with yelling at my children, they get loud and rambunctious, and I yell to get their attention, I yell at them when they do not listen, and I yell when I’m frustrated. Our children are in a way an extension of who we are, just like we are called to be extensions of God as his children. We all need to be disciplined from time to time, we all need to have our attention gotten. When God gets our attention or disciplines us are we lest feeling like garbage or even after our spiritual spanking are we left feeling like we are closer to God, closer to his will and knowing we are loved. As much as I love my children I know that there are times when my discipline does not raise them up it tears them down and I have to work on reflecting the father more. 

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful, you discipline and get our attention without making us feel that we are less. Your grace and mercy show the love you are pouring out upon us. I thank you for all you do, the discipline you bring and the love you show and pour out on us. I thank you for your molding and refining you are doing in my life and ask that you help me to be the father you call me to be and grow in reflecting your love, peace, mercy, grace, and joy. 

Thorns, snares, and traps

Reading: Judges 1-2, Psalm 133, and Colossians 2

 

Scripture: Judges 2:2-3, and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done? So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you. 

 

Thoughts: As Israel was coming into the promised land they were told to drive out everyone and to not make covenants with any of the inhabitants of the land. Through the first two chapters of Judges it talks about all the people groups that were left there and put to labor. God is telling them because you did not listen I will not drive them out and they will be a thorn to you. When we accept Christ into out lives He comes in and gives us authority to kick out the habitual sin in our lives, but when we leave some of that sin rooted in our lives, that choice we make allows and creates a thorn and snare in our lives. We need to walk in the authority we are given and remove the sins in our lives otherwise we may be given over to that sin as Paul wrote in Romans 1:24.

 

Prayer: Father God, we welcome you into our lives and relinquish the sin in our lives to you. We thank you for sending your Son to pay the price for that sin and ask that you help us to walk in your ways and your truth. We ask that you help us to identify that sin and those thorns and snares in our lives that we have unknowingly held onto. Help us to drop those chains that we bind ourselves with and walk in your freedom. 

 

 

 

How are we walking into the world?

Reading: Joshua 23-24, Psalm 99, and Colossians 1

Scripture: Colossians 1:10, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Thoughts: there are churches out there that preach a works based gospel, you must give some much or do so much or give so much before God will accept you or forgive you. The may not be as blatant or obvious as that but they take Jesus and then say there is more needed. As we walk in faith Paul is praying that we be fruitful not just getting knowledge not just doing good, like it says in James 2:18 “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Let our faith and light shine through all that we do, be it our jobs or shopping for groceries people should see a difference. How do you walk into the world?

Prayer: Father God, you are our peace and our joy, you pour out all you have for us. You open your pantry door and say take what you need. I thank you for your provision and the blessings you are pouring out on us. I thank you for your peace and joy and ask that you help us to allow you to fill us to overflowing that we can pour it out on others. 

What is your witness?

Reading: Joshua 21-21 and Philippians 4 

Scripture: Joshua 22:26-27, Therefore we said, “Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the Lord in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, ‘You have no portion in the Lord.’”

Thoughts: After the fighting and claiming of God’s promised land this portion of Israel was headed home to that land they received but came to help the rest of Israel to claim the rest. After seeing the victories that God had given them and the times they failed they wanted a reminder, something to look at to remind them and future generation not only who they are but who they are apart of. We may not have great wars where we are claiming land, but we all have victories that God has given us and are we setting up a witness, a memorial to one draw a line between who we were before and who we are now. It can be as simple as a stone in your pocket or something elaborate, but just as the ten tribes came to check the purpose, we need to not let that witness to become a god replacement. 

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful. You give us all we need and give us the authority to overcome the evil one. I ask that you help me to set up a reminder of who I was and the great blessing you have poured out over us. Let us remember our past but look to the sanctification that you are working in us and not just to the point you saved us. Lead us and guide us in our walk.

Life Happens

Over the last month and a half I have fallen out of my disciplines, I have been trying to retain as much as possible but with being off work and recovering from surgery. Today I am going to give you what I have been reading and what scriptures stood out to me.   

April 30 

Reading: Deuteronomy 25-27, Galatians 2, and Mark 14

Scripture: Galatians 2:1, Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.

May 1

Reading: Deuteronomy 28 and Galatians 3

Scripture: Galatians 3:2-3, Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

May 2

Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30, Psalm 15, Galatians 4, and Mark 15

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:6, And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

May 3 

Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32 and Galatians 5

Scripture: Galatians 5:12, I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

May 4 

Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34, Psalm 68, and Galatians 6

Scripture: Galatians 7:12, It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

May 5

Reading: Joshua 1-3, Psalm 94, and Ephesians 1

Scripture: Joshua 2:9, and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.

May 6

Reading: Joshua 4-5, Psalm 71, Ephesians 2, and Mark 16

Scripture: Joshua 5:1, As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.

May 7

Reading: Joshua 6-7 and Ephesians 3

Scripture: Joshua 6:12, Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.

May 8

Reading: Joshua 8-9 and Ephesians 4

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2-3, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

May 9

Reading: Joshua 10-11 and Ephesians 5

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

May 10

Reading: Joshua 12-13 and Ephesians 6

Scripture: Ephesians 6:9, “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

May 11

Reading: Joshua 14-15 and Philippians 1

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-10, And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

May 12

Reading: Joshua 16-18 and Philippians 2

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15, Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

May 13

Reading: Joshua 19-20, Psalms 53, and Philippians 3

Scripture: Psalm 53:2-3, God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

April 29 Protection in many forms.

Reading: Deuteronomy 23-24, Psalm 91, Galatians 1, and Mark 13

Scripture: Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Thoughts: We are often told to do things on our own or to toughen up. There are things we need to be able to do on our own and sometime we need to toughen up, but we are also God’s children, and he wants us to be protected. Just as a mother bird will spread her wings to protect her young from everything, God opens his wings to protect us but he gives us the tools to eventually stand up to those things in our lives. Just as the bird starts by protecting eventually the young are kicked out of the nest, are we going to learn from our heavenly father when he has protection for us so that when we are sent out, we will have that what we need to succeed. 

Prayer: Lord God we are grateful for the tools you offer us and the protection you give us as we seek and learn to use what you have for us. You grace overwhelms me and the authority that you give opens opportunities to share your love. Open my eyes and heart to the next steps in your path. Lead me and guide me in all I do. 

April 28 Meditating on your works!!!

Reading: Deuteronomy 21-22, Psalm 145, and 2 Corinthians 13

Scripture: Psalm 145:4-5, One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Thoughts: We all have stories of what God has done for us, provision, healings, and restorations. The nation of Israel was about 400 years old and by traditions and law the people were to know the stories of how they were brought out of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, the desert, and the Jordan river. David was writing about how the generation should have been and should be in the future share what God had done that we may meditate on it. We need to meditate on those things God has done in our lives, with remembering God’s goodness and keeping it in the forefront of our minds it is easier to share with others I was here and with God I am now here. 

Prayer: Lord God, you have brought me our of my mess and washed me clean, you sent your Son to die before I knew you. Your love is so big that it cannot be understood. I thank you for bringing me out of my mess and into your love. I thank you that you loved me before I could even love myself, or let others love me. Help us to focus on your love, that we may share it with those around us. 

April 27 I can't tell you!!

Reading: Deuteronomy 18-20, 2 Corinthians 12 and Mark 12

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:3-5, And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses

Thoughts: Where do we seek our value from? It is easy in this day and age that we could dive into social media, or video sharing sites and do things that draw attention to ourselves. There are thousands of people who make videos and podcasts what ever to say look at how great I am. Paul here is talking about someone who was given some sort of vision that at least in part could not be shared publicly. He could have been talking about John and what became the Book of Revelation where at one point John says he was told not to write something down (that is pure speculation). Paul is saying he will boast in others pointing to Christ and in his own weakness. When we focus on boasting about our weakness then it shows God’s glory more. 

Prayer: Lord God, to you be all the glory and honor. In my weakness be glorified and may the light be on you and not me. 

April 26 Who's truth?

Reading: Deuteronomy 16-17, Psalm 2, 2 Corinthians 11, and Mark 11

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11: 13, For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

Thoughts: When we are not in the word daily or clinging to traditions to closely for the sake of tradition, it is easy for things to get turned from the true north of God’s objective truth. The evil one will not come in and try to get us to walk in a complete opposite way, but he will just as with Adam and Eve he will try to get us to believe something just a little wrong and over time that little wrong can lead us so far from our calling we do not know where we are or where we are going. In this time off from work for surgical recovery I have getting so distracted that the things I planned on and even things I normally did got placed on a back burner and things that are of little importance moved to the front of my attention. There are many things that are not bad but when they become distractions from the greater things it will cause issues. 

Prayer: Father God you are the truth, and you call us to walk in that truth. There is no subjectiveness in your truth, it is not about how we feel, but what you say. We ask that you help us to see and walk in that truth. Open our hearts and minds to understanding you’re your word. 

April 25 For His glory or your own?

Reading: Deuteronomy 14-15, Psalm 88, and 2 Corinthians 10

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:17, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

Thoughts: When reading this again the saying from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where one of the Brotherhood is talking to Indi and asked, “Do you seek the cup of Christ for your glory or His?” We so often tell our stories in a way that we get some of the glory, we are not fully seeking his glory in what we are doing. It is normal in that in our nature we want recognition, and we want to be known. Where we need to be carful and I struggle with this is when I want to be recognized over God. God is to be where everything gets pointed and if He determines that I can handle some of that he will give it to me otherwise I need to be content that He knows me and loves me. 

Prayer: Father God you are the one worthy of all praise and honor. You are the one that takes care of all things. You own the cattle on a thousand hills and know the hairs on my head. You have set every grain of sand in it’s place and told the waves how far they can roll. Your love overwhelms me and leads me. Father help me to seek your glory and not my own. Help me to point continually to you.