Blogger’s Note: Posted a day late today because of wifi connection problems while traveling. Will likely be late again tomorrow for the same reason; but here is my offering from yesterday from the Little Red River in Arkansas.
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 27 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 31 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 34 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 52 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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My Journal for Today: This morning I’m sitting on a dock at a fishing resort on the Little Red River in Arkansas, out for the weekend with a bunch of Christian men, some of whom have brought their sons to get away, fish for rainbow or brown trout (or maybe some catfish or bass) out on the river today, getting away from some of the troubles and concerns of the world; and just being out with God in His creation. Sometimes we just feel we need to get away from all those pressures out there in the world or in our own hearts which tear away at our souls, don’t we?
If you read through the Psalms which our chronological read has me meditating on today, if one studies the context of why David wrote all these poetic songs, you realize that the young king-to-be was deeply embroiled in escaping the existing King, … Saul, and David was trying to do all he could to buck up under the pressures of Saul trying to kill him and use His kingly influence to discredit David; but the only place David could really go for refuge was to and with His Lord, Yahweh; … and as one reads these Psalms, we see that’s exactly where any/all of us should go when we’re down-trodden or discouraged or in despair.
Of all these five psalms, I was asked to read today, you’ll note that I emboldened the link to Psalm 34, which I’d ask any who’re reading/meditating along with me here to take some time upon which to meditate more deeply; and here is what my Parsons DVD commentary says about Psalm 34, which I think very nicely summarizes what insights David had gleaned form God and was sharing in this wonderfully encouraging Psalm.
• Parsons Commentary on Psalm 34: God promises great blessings to his people, but many of these blessings require our active participation. He will set us free from our fears (34:4, 6), guard and rescue us (34:7), show us goodness (34:8), supply our needs (34:9), listen when we call to him (34:15), and redeem us (34:22), but we must do our part. We can appropriate his blessings when we seek him (34:4, 10); cry out to him (34:6, 17); trust him (34:8); fear him (34:7); reverence him (34:9); refrain from lying (34:13); turn from evil, do good and seek peace (34:14); are brokenhearted (34:18); and serve him (34:22).
You will, as did I, have to go back and see the reference points made on this commentary; but when you do, you’ll discover the application points for any of us who’ve every sought after God’s enlightenment, enablement, and/or empowerment when we felt down-and-out or broken down by life’s pressures, stresses, or circumstances. Can I get an “Amen!” of identification?
Some of us are deeply embroiled in temptations, troubles, or trials; and we just don’t know where to turn. Some are burdened by past emotional wounds and have let our feelings bind us up in self-directed, comfort-zone pursuits, trying to find ways to cope with our fears, feelings, and fragile emotions. Can I maybe now get an “Amen!” of identification?
My friend, and dear Christian brother or sister, as God directs us through David and his historical trials, written into these psalms, our Lord is ALWAYS where to go to seek protection and empowerment. Right now I’m thinking of another passage which another Prophet, Isaiah, wrote, directly quoting God, to help Israel [or any believer] to be lifted from any fears they (or we) might have. It is Isaiah 41: 10, which says in the NLT, Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
And when I’m down an out, that’s one verse, along with a few others, which I draw up from my cache of memory verses to do exactly what David was pursuing when he wrote the five Psalms to which I’ve linked any reader here today. Other New Testament verses which help me in tough times are Phil. 4: 13, the verse which brought me to God and shows me where I get my strength; in 1st Cor. 10: 13, God is telling me that He’ll never put me into any situation which I cannot handle with His help; in 2nd Cor. 12: 9, God encourages me, telling me that it will be HIS strength to lift me up when I am weak; and in all of Romans 8, but especially verse 31, God shows me that nothing in this word can overtake me as long as I rely on my God, in Christ, to be with me.
My friend, you’re probably dealing with something this very day which may seem overwhelming. Well, go through the five songs from David above and be lifted up, redirected, and empowered to deal with life’s challenges and seemingly overwhelming pressures. God is with us, my dear one, and He will lift us up.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, you are my protector, my guide, my EVERYTHING!!! Amen
Showing posts with label provision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label provision. Show all posts
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
January 26, 2012 … God’s Real Deal
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Genesis, Chapters 43-45 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Genesis 45: 4-7: … [God’s Providence In Our Relationships] ... 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
My Journal for Today: Don’t you just love the way the Bible paints God’s providence and His planning … by telling REAL stories about REAL people in REAL life. And that’s what we glean from the story of Joseph, where God’s book takes more space in telling his story than most of the other characters in the Old Testament. Only Moses in the OT gets as much written space as does Joseph. But, of course, and it’s Moses who’s telling this story about the history of God’s people, like Joseph, in God’s Book of the Law – the Torah.
But I digress. My main point here today is to note how the story of Joseph, revealing himself to his brothers, as in today’s segment of his story, is a picture of Christlikeness in the OT. In fact there are many parallels in Scripture which show us that Joseph’s life in the OT is a character type and a pre-incarnate picture of Jesus in the New Testament. And in today’s focus passage, copied above, we read of how Joseph so compassionately told his brothers of God’s plan in allowing them to do what they did to him, their brother, and how all of it was God’s plan for all of His children, including Jacob and his family.
If we look back at our own lives, we may very likely be able to see events and circumstances which have taken place where we certainly would not have planned our lives the way things unfolded; but we now recognize that God’s plan – i.e., His providence – was for our good and for His purposes in the shaping of our lives. I certainly can see that … from the many years I walked in bondage to habitual sinful living and how God used those weaknesses to show me how much I needed a Redeemer and how that Redeemer could only be Himself … as my LORD and Savior.
And I’m not going to belabor this point here today. If you’ve been reading along with me about the life of Joseph, all of what has been written about him in Genesis paints for us a picture of the character and future life of Jesus, The Christ; and we can certainly see this in how Joseph shows compassion to his brothers, who had such evil in mind for him, selling him into slavery in Egypt. But, … God knew Joseph was the one – and only one – who could go ahead of his own family to Egypt to save so many people – including Joseph’s own family – from famine, … as well as to show them God’s character in the life and forgiveness of Joseph for his own brothers. And Moses writing about Joseph in The Torah (i.e., Genesis) tells all of mankind about the character of our loving, forgiving, and redeeming God. And that’s a story … HIStory … we need to read.
Don’t you just see the character of Jesus shining through in Joseph? Don’t you just hear Jesus, through the life of Joseph, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
And though I would have never put me through my history … the way it unfolded, I now recognize that it was God’s plan, in His timing, and in His way for my good and His glory. So … once again I say, from my heart, Hallelujah; and thank you, Lord, for where I’ve been and what I’ve done.!
My Prayer Today: … Praise You, Lord, for every bit of my life. Amen
Genesis 45: 4-7: … [God’s Providence In Our Relationships] ... 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
My Journal for Today: Don’t you just love the way the Bible paints God’s providence and His planning … by telling REAL stories about REAL people in REAL life. And that’s what we glean from the story of Joseph, where God’s book takes more space in telling his story than most of the other characters in the Old Testament. Only Moses in the OT gets as much written space as does Joseph. But, of course, and it’s Moses who’s telling this story about the history of God’s people, like Joseph, in God’s Book of the Law – the Torah.
But I digress. My main point here today is to note how the story of Joseph, revealing himself to his brothers, as in today’s segment of his story, is a picture of Christlikeness in the OT. In fact there are many parallels in Scripture which show us that Joseph’s life in the OT is a character type and a pre-incarnate picture of Jesus in the New Testament. And in today’s focus passage, copied above, we read of how Joseph so compassionately told his brothers of God’s plan in allowing them to do what they did to him, their brother, and how all of it was God’s plan for all of His children, including Jacob and his family.
If we look back at our own lives, we may very likely be able to see events and circumstances which have taken place where we certainly would not have planned our lives the way things unfolded; but we now recognize that God’s plan – i.e., His providence – was for our good and for His purposes in the shaping of our lives. I certainly can see that … from the many years I walked in bondage to habitual sinful living and how God used those weaknesses to show me how much I needed a Redeemer and how that Redeemer could only be Himself … as my LORD and Savior.
And I’m not going to belabor this point here today. If you’ve been reading along with me about the life of Joseph, all of what has been written about him in Genesis paints for us a picture of the character and future life of Jesus, The Christ; and we can certainly see this in how Joseph shows compassion to his brothers, who had such evil in mind for him, selling him into slavery in Egypt. But, … God knew Joseph was the one – and only one – who could go ahead of his own family to Egypt to save so many people – including Joseph’s own family – from famine, … as well as to show them God’s character in the life and forgiveness of Joseph for his own brothers. And Moses writing about Joseph in The Torah (i.e., Genesis) tells all of mankind about the character of our loving, forgiving, and redeeming God. And that’s a story … HIStory … we need to read.
Don’t you just see the character of Jesus shining through in Joseph? Don’t you just hear Jesus, through the life of Joseph, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
And though I would have never put me through my history … the way it unfolded, I now recognize that it was God’s plan, in His timing, and in His way for my good and His glory. So … once again I say, from my heart, Hallelujah; and thank you, Lord, for where I’ve been and what I’ve done.!
My Prayer Today: … Praise You, Lord, for every bit of my life. Amen
Friday, August 26, 2011
August 26, 2011 … A Lesson from Nature
Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 26 [see in bold/underlined] … “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
My Journal for Today: Yesterday during my quiet time with God, in His Sermon on the Mount (in Matt. 6: 25), Jesus, as John MacArthur reminded me, argued from the greater to the lesser to teach His truth involving our use of the life He gave to each of us. Today, in this devotional, in Matt. 6: 26, He argues from the lesser to the greater to drive home His truth.
MacArthur imagines that Jesus, as He spoke to His listeners that day on the hillside near Capernaum, might have looked up to see birds flying overhead. Maybe he even pointed to the birds as He delivered this point in His sermon; and He used the word picture of God taking care of those “lesser” creatures, the birds, providing them with all the food they need. And if God would provide for the bird, would not our God provide for His created children (i.e., you and me). In His words, “Are you not much more valuable (to God) than they [i.e., the birds]?” Having been on that very hillside outside Capernaum, I can imagine Jesus, surrounded by the wild lilies He also referred to in His illustration, I can imagine Jesus pointing to the sea gulls flying overhead – as they do there – creating this word picture of God taking care of His created beings. So, His argument was, if God would take care of the lesser creatures of His, why wouldn’t He also take care of His greatest creation, … mankind?
There are those who claim that animals are just as valuable as humans in God’s sight; but this is not supported by God’s word. No bird was created to be joint heir for eternity on God’s throne as was His mankind as His church. It is true that like the birds, we were created to labor for God’s providence; but as Jesus points out in the word picture in today’s highlighted verse, mankind was created with special value in God’s plan; and therefore, would not God provide all that man needs for life?
Certainly we have no reason to be lazy, especially when it comes to the use of God’s providence (see that in Matt. 25: 14 – 30 – the parable of the talents). And, as we’ve seen in past studies this month, any attitude of greed or covetousness is most certainly against God’s view of our importance. God will - and does - provide all we need (again citing Phil. 4: 19 and 2nd Pet. 1: 3 – 4); but for us to have all we need, God clearly wants us to look to Him first for these provisions by doing His work of stewardship for His kingdom (see Matt. 6: 33).
My Prayer Today: You bless me, Lord, with all I need! Amen
My Journal for Today: Yesterday during my quiet time with God, in His Sermon on the Mount (in Matt. 6: 25), Jesus, as John MacArthur reminded me, argued from the greater to the lesser to teach His truth involving our use of the life He gave to each of us. Today, in this devotional, in Matt. 6: 26, He argues from the lesser to the greater to drive home His truth.
MacArthur imagines that Jesus, as He spoke to His listeners that day on the hillside near Capernaum, might have looked up to see birds flying overhead. Maybe he even pointed to the birds as He delivered this point in His sermon; and He used the word picture of God taking care of those “lesser” creatures, the birds, providing them with all the food they need. And if God would provide for the bird, would not our God provide for His created children (i.e., you and me). In His words, “Are you not much more valuable (to God) than they [i.e., the birds]?” Having been on that very hillside outside Capernaum, I can imagine Jesus, surrounded by the wild lilies He also referred to in His illustration, I can imagine Jesus pointing to the sea gulls flying overhead – as they do there – creating this word picture of God taking care of His created beings. So, His argument was, if God would take care of the lesser creatures of His, why wouldn’t He also take care of His greatest creation, … mankind?
There are those who claim that animals are just as valuable as humans in God’s sight; but this is not supported by God’s word. No bird was created to be joint heir for eternity on God’s throne as was His mankind as His church. It is true that like the birds, we were created to labor for God’s providence; but as Jesus points out in the word picture in today’s highlighted verse, mankind was created with special value in God’s plan; and therefore, would not God provide all that man needs for life?
Certainly we have no reason to be lazy, especially when it comes to the use of God’s providence (see that in Matt. 25: 14 – 30 – the parable of the talents). And, as we’ve seen in past studies this month, any attitude of greed or covetousness is most certainly against God’s view of our importance. God will - and does - provide all we need (again citing Phil. 4: 19 and 2nd Pet. 1: 3 – 4); but for us to have all we need, God clearly wants us to look to Him first for these provisions by doing His work of stewardship for His kingdom (see Matt. 6: 33).
My Prayer Today: You bless me, Lord, with all I need! Amen
Friday, February 25, 2011
February 25, 2011 … God Is Faithful To Care For Us
Passage of the Day: 1st Corinthians 1: 9 [see bold/underlined in context] … God, Who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
My Journal for Today: If you are reading this, I think you’d agree with me that our world and life is riddled with unfaithfulness. Think of the companies here in the 21st century, such as Enron, who have defrauded their employees. We have a divorce rate well over 50%, indicating that relational distrust in marriage is at an all time high in our country. And this involves Christian couples as well as marriages of unbelievers. Who reading this has not been “damaged” in some way by someone who was not faithful to our trust or expectations? Who among us has not been unfaithful to another person in some way, even to those with whom we’re close?
So Paul’s simple declarative, “God … is faithful” stands as a stark contrast to the world’s human record on faithfulness. God’s faithfulness is touted again and again in the Old Testament (see Deut. 7: 9; Lam. 3: 23; and Ps. 36: 5); and the New Testament teaches about the benefits of God’s faithfulness in two primary areas: PROVISION and PROTECTION. Note Peter’s words in 1st Peter 4: 19 below …
SCRIPTURE: 1st Peter 4: 19 … So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
According to MacArthur in Strength for Today, that term “commit” (or “entrust” in other translations) in Peter’s declaration above is a term with a banking origin from the Greek (the word is “paratithami” – Strong 3908), which refers to a safe or trustworthy deposit. In other words, in more modern language, we might say that we can take our trust in God’s faithfulness, in both areas of provision and protection, “to the bank” as we turn our lives over to Him in “living sacrifice.” (see an oft-sited [by me], trustworthy scripture in Rom. 12: 1) God’s PROVISION, this first area of God’s faithfulness, tells us that all things or all circumstances are provided faithfully by God in all ways for our well being (see Phil. 4: 19 and Rom. 8: 28). And the Greek word for “all” means “ALL!” God’s provision, even when we don’t particularly like what is provided, is ALWAYS faithful.
BUT, I fully admit, it’s really tough to see God’s faithfulness in His PROVISION when things are not going well in our human circumstances. By that I mean, when things are not going the way of our own plans or desires – especially when these circumstances are painful, it’s hard for us to see our God as a “faithful” provider. 1st Cor. 10 : 13 and Hebrews 13: 5, however, tell us that God is always faithful, and He will never abandon us – even when the trials of life test our faith. Now, … we either believe God’s word and live accordingly; … or we live in constant doubt that God is faithful.
But moving on, … the second area summarized by MacArthur in his devotional about God’s faithfulness, is the area of PROTECTION. No truly believing Christian can cop-out and claim that our temporal or worldly circumstances, even the trials and tribulations, are just too much for us. No, … we can’t claim that because God promise is to FAITHFULLY help us deal with any/all such circumstances (again I cite 1st Cor. 10: 13, which, if you’re following me, you probably have memorized by now from the frequency of its citation in my devotional journal entries). And in all of our life situations, God promises from His word to give us strength and protection to deal with life – and even with the devil himself (research Phil. 4: 13; 2nd Cor. 12: 9; and 1st Thes. 3: 3).
My brothers/sisters, … again I say, “We either believe in God and His faithfulness; or we don’t!” Personally, I choose to believe … and to know that I’m covered in life – no matter how bad things get! … Now will I say that tomorrow if I I’m engulfed in painful circumstances? I hope so – no, I pray so – that I will!
My Prayer Today: You are truly faithful, O Lord! Amen
My Journal for Today: If you are reading this, I think you’d agree with me that our world and life is riddled with unfaithfulness. Think of the companies here in the 21st century, such as Enron, who have defrauded their employees. We have a divorce rate well over 50%, indicating that relational distrust in marriage is at an all time high in our country. And this involves Christian couples as well as marriages of unbelievers. Who reading this has not been “damaged” in some way by someone who was not faithful to our trust or expectations? Who among us has not been unfaithful to another person in some way, even to those with whom we’re close?
So Paul’s simple declarative, “God … is faithful” stands as a stark contrast to the world’s human record on faithfulness. God’s faithfulness is touted again and again in the Old Testament (see Deut. 7: 9; Lam. 3: 23; and Ps. 36: 5); and the New Testament teaches about the benefits of God’s faithfulness in two primary areas: PROVISION and PROTECTION. Note Peter’s words in 1st Peter 4: 19 below …
SCRIPTURE: 1st Peter 4: 19 … So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
According to MacArthur in Strength for Today, that term “commit” (or “entrust” in other translations) in Peter’s declaration above is a term with a banking origin from the Greek (the word is “paratithami” – Strong 3908), which refers to a safe or trustworthy deposit. In other words, in more modern language, we might say that we can take our trust in God’s faithfulness, in both areas of provision and protection, “to the bank” as we turn our lives over to Him in “living sacrifice.” (see an oft-sited [by me], trustworthy scripture in Rom. 12: 1) God’s PROVISION, this first area of God’s faithfulness, tells us that all things or all circumstances are provided faithfully by God in all ways for our well being (see Phil. 4: 19 and Rom. 8: 28). And the Greek word for “all” means “ALL!” God’s provision, even when we don’t particularly like what is provided, is ALWAYS faithful.
BUT, I fully admit, it’s really tough to see God’s faithfulness in His PROVISION when things are not going well in our human circumstances. By that I mean, when things are not going the way of our own plans or desires – especially when these circumstances are painful, it’s hard for us to see our God as a “faithful” provider. 1st Cor. 10 : 13 and Hebrews 13: 5, however, tell us that God is always faithful, and He will never abandon us – even when the trials of life test our faith. Now, … we either believe God’s word and live accordingly; … or we live in constant doubt that God is faithful.
But moving on, … the second area summarized by MacArthur in his devotional about God’s faithfulness, is the area of PROTECTION. No truly believing Christian can cop-out and claim that our temporal or worldly circumstances, even the trials and tribulations, are just too much for us. No, … we can’t claim that because God promise is to FAITHFULLY help us deal with any/all such circumstances (again I cite 1st Cor. 10: 13, which, if you’re following me, you probably have memorized by now from the frequency of its citation in my devotional journal entries). And in all of our life situations, God promises from His word to give us strength and protection to deal with life – and even with the devil himself (research Phil. 4: 13; 2nd Cor. 12: 9; and 1st Thes. 3: 3).
My brothers/sisters, … again I say, “We either believe in God and His faithfulness; or we don’t!” Personally, I choose to believe … and to know that I’m covered in life – no matter how bad things get! … Now will I say that tomorrow if I I’m engulfed in painful circumstances? I hope so – no, I pray so – that I will!
My Prayer Today: You are truly faithful, O Lord! Amen
Saturday, January 09, 2010
2010 – Day 9. Jan. 9 – A God Who Provides
Study from Genesis 22 – 23; Passage for Reflection: Genesis 22: 14 … NIV So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
My Journal for Today: My devotional shepherd, Dr. Smith, poses a very poignant and provocative question at the end of his entry for today. He writes, ”Who is depending upon me to provide for the distressing needs that God has put me in a position to supply?” And when I really think about that convicting and perplexing question, it puts a very personal spin on the story of how God provided the lamb from the thicket in this story of God demanding of Abraham the sacrifice of his only son of the covenant promise, Isaac.
Okay, we see from the story of Isaac’s near sacrifice how God does provide for even our most dire needs; but then what do we do for all the poverty, starvation, and those nagging homeless people we see out on the streets in the bitter cold weather we’re experiencing even as I write this? And that takes me back to F. LaGard Smith’s question today? And it gets personal when I think of how God has provided so generously for my needs. I have a very livable retirement income; and we are warm in the midst of this cold snap. I’m even overweight from the food I can and do purchase. We tithe and give, I believe generously, above our tithe; and yet I see so much neediness in the world.
And I am back at Dr. Smith’s question as it is generalized to our Christian world. What are we, as the Church, to do as extensions of Jehovah Jireh, … God, The Provider? And perhaps that’s when we can – or must – see ourselves as the lamb in the thicket in the story of God providing the lamb for Abraham just as he was about to bring his knife down on his son, Isaac.
I don’t know about you; but every time I see one of those disheveled men standing on a corner with a small cardboard sign, which reads something like, “Homeless! Please help;” I’m drawn to want to dole out cash from my wallet to meet his needs. Then the rational side of my brain asks, “Is this guy going to take my money to the nearest liquor store and buy booze?” And I wonder if I’m really the lamb in the thicket for these panhandlers. It’s a tough dilemma, isn’t it?
I do believe that we, who have, are the lamb in the thicket for those who need in our world? I do believe that is why God, The Jehovah Provider, requires at least the tithe and then as much as we can give as stewards of His provision (see Matt. 25: 14 – 30, the parable of the talents); but I also believe that we must let God’s Spirit, the One Who enlightens our mind, to help us know how much and where to be God’s lamb in the thicket. And I will probably continue to be challenged by that issue in my life and in this very perplexing world where God has placed me.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to discern where and how much You desire for me to be Your lamb in the thicket of life for others whom I can be the extension of Your provision. Amen
My Journal for Today: My devotional shepherd, Dr. Smith, poses a very poignant and provocative question at the end of his entry for today. He writes, ”Who is depending upon me to provide for the distressing needs that God has put me in a position to supply?” And when I really think about that convicting and perplexing question, it puts a very personal spin on the story of how God provided the lamb from the thicket in this story of God demanding of Abraham the sacrifice of his only son of the covenant promise, Isaac.
Okay, we see from the story of Isaac’s near sacrifice how God does provide for even our most dire needs; but then what do we do for all the poverty, starvation, and those nagging homeless people we see out on the streets in the bitter cold weather we’re experiencing even as I write this? And that takes me back to F. LaGard Smith’s question today? And it gets personal when I think of how God has provided so generously for my needs. I have a very livable retirement income; and we are warm in the midst of this cold snap. I’m even overweight from the food I can and do purchase. We tithe and give, I believe generously, above our tithe; and yet I see so much neediness in the world.
And I am back at Dr. Smith’s question as it is generalized to our Christian world. What are we, as the Church, to do as extensions of Jehovah Jireh, … God, The Provider? And perhaps that’s when we can – or must – see ourselves as the lamb in the thicket in the story of God providing the lamb for Abraham just as he was about to bring his knife down on his son, Isaac.
I don’t know about you; but every time I see one of those disheveled men standing on a corner with a small cardboard sign, which reads something like, “Homeless! Please help;” I’m drawn to want to dole out cash from my wallet to meet his needs. Then the rational side of my brain asks, “Is this guy going to take my money to the nearest liquor store and buy booze?” And I wonder if I’m really the lamb in the thicket for these panhandlers. It’s a tough dilemma, isn’t it?
I do believe that we, who have, are the lamb in the thicket for those who need in our world? I do believe that is why God, The Jehovah Provider, requires at least the tithe and then as much as we can give as stewards of His provision (see Matt. 25: 14 – 30, the parable of the talents); but I also believe that we must let God’s Spirit, the One Who enlightens our mind, to help us know how much and where to be God’s lamb in the thicket. And I will probably continue to be challenged by that issue in my life and in this very perplexing world where God has placed me.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to discern where and how much You desire for me to be Your lamb in the thicket of life for others whom I can be the extension of Your provision. Amen
Thursday, June 04, 2009
2009 – Day 154.June 4 – The Brook Has Dried Up
2009 – Day 154.June 4 – The Brook Has Dried Up
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 5 – 7 … 2 Then the word of the LORD came to him [Elijah], saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
My Journal for Today: Has your brook dried up? It had for Elijah. Here God had led Elijah to this lush oasis in the wilderness where he was protected and provided for; but in time the spring providing him with water dried up. And so it is with some of us.
Perhaps you’re a new mom and the joy of a new child has dried up and is covered with poopy diapers, baby feedings, and a perpetually crying babe. Maybe you’re a family leader whose bank account is drying up. Swindoll relates the great story of John Bunyan, the famous Christian author, who was jailed for preaching against the godlessness of the establishment in his day; and while in prison where his brook had dried up, he was inspired to write Pilgrim’s Progress, the timeless allegory which has touched the life of generations of Christian readers.
And right now – at this very moment in my quiet time with God this morning – my Ipod has given me the song I’m listening to right now and one which I hear almost daily in my morning, sitting by a brook of life which seems to be drying up all around me. The song is sung by the beautiful voice of Alisha Dishong, … the old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. She sings to me …
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Yes, the brook of our culture seems to dwindling; and more and more we cannot draw water from this world. So, what do we Christians do in this world which dwindles of Christian sustenance? Well the reality of that old Christian hymn rings true. What we do is turn – and keep – our eyes on Jesus, because as Swindoll points out, our dwindling brook of Christian values in this world “does not cancel out God’s providential plan.” And Swindoll is right, as evidenced by what happened to John Bunyan or to Elijah.
When the waters that we thirst for are drying up, we need to get ready for God to provide exactly what we need in and through His truth – i.e., His word – and through life as well. John Bunyan was inspired by prison to write his famous Christian allegory. Elijah, by the brook drying up, was being prepared to prophesy to God’s people. And we’ll be reading in subsequent devotionals about the power that came from Elijah holding on to faith in the midst of the brook drying up.
When things get really dry and we turn our eyes on Jesus, rather than our circumstances, God is likely trying to show us that the things of this earth " … will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” So, take heart, my fellow Christian. The brook may be drying up; but God will provide.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, take me from the dwindling brook of this life; and show me the sustaining grace of your living waters. Amen
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 5 – 7 … 2 Then the word of the LORD came to him [Elijah], saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
My Journal for Today: Has your brook dried up? It had for Elijah. Here God had led Elijah to this lush oasis in the wilderness where he was protected and provided for; but in time the spring providing him with water dried up. And so it is with some of us.
Perhaps you’re a new mom and the joy of a new child has dried up and is covered with poopy diapers, baby feedings, and a perpetually crying babe. Maybe you’re a family leader whose bank account is drying up. Swindoll relates the great story of John Bunyan, the famous Christian author, who was jailed for preaching against the godlessness of the establishment in his day; and while in prison where his brook had dried up, he was inspired to write Pilgrim’s Progress, the timeless allegory which has touched the life of generations of Christian readers.
And right now – at this very moment in my quiet time with God this morning – my Ipod has given me the song I’m listening to right now and one which I hear almost daily in my morning, sitting by a brook of life which seems to be drying up all around me. The song is sung by the beautiful voice of Alisha Dishong, … the old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. She sings to me …
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Yes, the brook of our culture seems to dwindling; and more and more we cannot draw water from this world. So, what do we Christians do in this world which dwindles of Christian sustenance? Well the reality of that old Christian hymn rings true. What we do is turn – and keep – our eyes on Jesus, because as Swindoll points out, our dwindling brook of Christian values in this world “does not cancel out God’s providential plan.” And Swindoll is right, as evidenced by what happened to John Bunyan or to Elijah.
When the waters that we thirst for are drying up, we need to get ready for God to provide exactly what we need in and through His truth – i.e., His word – and through life as well. John Bunyan was inspired by prison to write his famous Christian allegory. Elijah, by the brook drying up, was being prepared to prophesy to God’s people. And we’ll be reading in subsequent devotionals about the power that came from Elijah holding on to faith in the midst of the brook drying up.
When things get really dry and we turn our eyes on Jesus, rather than our circumstances, God is likely trying to show us that the things of this earth " … will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” So, take heart, my fellow Christian. The brook may be drying up; but God will provide.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, take me from the dwindling brook of this life; and show me the sustaining grace of your living waters. Amen
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
2009 – Day 153.June 3 – God’s Protection and Provision
2009 – Day 153.June 3 – God’s Protection and Provision
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 4 - 6 … 2 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” … 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll really likes to get all God has for him (and us) out of a passage; and so, here we are again in these first few verses of 1st Kings 17, dwelling on this boot camp experience God had arranged for Elijah where the Lord had the Prophet to a quiet place in the wilderness where he’d be secure, secluded, and surrendered to God’s will.
And the first thing we note is Elijah’s response to God’s leading, reading in verse 5 that upon being called to do so, Elijah went to the Brook Cherith without question. There was no, “What’s this all about, Lord?” God said, “Go,” and Elijah went where God said to go. And I love the way Swindoll speculates about what Elijah may have perceived God saying. He writes that it would be as if God said, “[Elijah] You need to get out of the spotlight. You need to come up in the mountains, alone with Me, where you can hear My voice clearly. We need more time together, Elijah, and you need more training.”
How about you? Do you feel God saying to you, “[Insert your name here], I need more time with you. You need to carve out more quiet time with Me. We need to be alone together so that I can get closer to you, and so that I can lead you more clearly through my Word.” So many men which I’ve been blessed to lead in ministry over the years have said to me, “Bill, I know that I need more quiet time with God in His word; BUT I … [and I’ll bet you can fill in the blank here with reasons (really EXCUSES) why you don’t have enough time with God or why your time with Him is not deep enough].”
God wanted Elijah to be protected and prepared by the solitude and provision He laid out for His Prophet. God knew that Elijah was going to face some really tough times ahead; and so God made a way for a bootcamp of solitude and character building for Elijah. But Elijah had to CHOOSE to respond. God didn’t force the Prophet to follow Him. No, Elijah simply responded obediently and immediately to God’s lead and followed His Lord; and God came through with the provisions and the promises which Elijah was going to need in Spiritual warfare for the near and more distant future.
My dear one, as you read this, I hope you get it that God is saying to all of us that we need to get away from the tyranny of the urgent, from the hubbub of worldly information, and from the deceitfulness of our own hearts so that we can be refreshed by the living waters which come only from God’s Word.
Are you getting alone with God in a quiet place EVERY DAY and letting God feed you and give you drink from His word? Blessed one, EVERY DAY we face the wiles of the devil, the terror of the world, and the call of our own flesh to do things Satan’s way rather than God’s way. And EVERY DAY we need to have a brief “boot camp” in solitude where we are refreshed by God’s living truth and rearmed for battle for the day ahead. That is what Elijah learned by the Brook of Cherith; and it is the lesson we must learn and activate in our battle plan living for each day of our lives.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, as I type this, You are filling me with Your living waters and giving me the armor I need for the day of battle ahead. I praise You for this quiet place of protection and for Your provision for my day. Amen
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 4 - 6 … 2 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” … 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll really likes to get all God has for him (and us) out of a passage; and so, here we are again in these first few verses of 1st Kings 17, dwelling on this boot camp experience God had arranged for Elijah where the Lord had the Prophet to a quiet place in the wilderness where he’d be secure, secluded, and surrendered to God’s will.
And the first thing we note is Elijah’s response to God’s leading, reading in verse 5 that upon being called to do so, Elijah went to the Brook Cherith without question. There was no, “What’s this all about, Lord?” God said, “Go,” and Elijah went where God said to go. And I love the way Swindoll speculates about what Elijah may have perceived God saying. He writes that it would be as if God said, “[Elijah] You need to get out of the spotlight. You need to come up in the mountains, alone with Me, where you can hear My voice clearly. We need more time together, Elijah, and you need more training.”
How about you? Do you feel God saying to you, “[Insert your name here], I need more time with you. You need to carve out more quiet time with Me. We need to be alone together so that I can get closer to you, and so that I can lead you more clearly through my Word.” So many men which I’ve been blessed to lead in ministry over the years have said to me, “Bill, I know that I need more quiet time with God in His word; BUT I … [and I’ll bet you can fill in the blank here with reasons (really EXCUSES) why you don’t have enough time with God or why your time with Him is not deep enough].”
God wanted Elijah to be protected and prepared by the solitude and provision He laid out for His Prophet. God knew that Elijah was going to face some really tough times ahead; and so God made a way for a bootcamp of solitude and character building for Elijah. But Elijah had to CHOOSE to respond. God didn’t force the Prophet to follow Him. No, Elijah simply responded obediently and immediately to God’s lead and followed His Lord; and God came through with the provisions and the promises which Elijah was going to need in Spiritual warfare for the near and more distant future.
My dear one, as you read this, I hope you get it that God is saying to all of us that we need to get away from the tyranny of the urgent, from the hubbub of worldly information, and from the deceitfulness of our own hearts so that we can be refreshed by the living waters which come only from God’s Word.
Are you getting alone with God in a quiet place EVERY DAY and letting God feed you and give you drink from His word? Blessed one, EVERY DAY we face the wiles of the devil, the terror of the world, and the call of our own flesh to do things Satan’s way rather than God’s way. And EVERY DAY we need to have a brief “boot camp” in solitude where we are refreshed by God’s living truth and rearmed for battle for the day ahead. That is what Elijah learned by the Brook of Cherith; and it is the lesson we must learn and activate in our battle plan living for each day of our lives.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, as I type this, You are filling me with Your living waters and giving me the armor I need for the day of battle ahead. I praise You for this quiet place of protection and for Your provision for my day. Amen
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
2009 – Day 152.June 2 – One Step At A Time
2009 – Day 152.June 2 – One Step At A Time
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 4 … 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
My Journal for Today: God needed to teach Elijah a lesson which would one day prove essential for what God had in mind for Elijah; and, as Swindoll points out, Elijah needed to experience and internalize the truth that (Swindoll) “God’s direction includes God’s provision.”
To illustrate this Swindoll tells a word picture story related by Vance Havner about a bunch of cotton farmers in the Deep South years ago who were almost wiped out by an infestation of boll weevils. But being inventive, they began to plant and harvest peanuts, which yielded much more income that had the cotton. If it had not been for the plague of weevils, they would haven not discovered the providence of raising a new crop; so the farmers commissioned a statue to be built with the figure of a boll weevil to remind them how God had taught them a lesson by bringing the weevil to redirect their lives.
And that’s the way our lives can go. It’s easy for us to get in a rut in life; but along comes some disastrous set of circumstances and God gets our attention to the truth that He’s there to project and provide in our lives. Right now we’re going through some of the toughest financial times that most of us have ever experienced; and I don’t know about you; but I’ve certainly learned that I need to remember that our financial well being is in God’s hands. He is the provider; and we can’t rely on the government to bail us out of these times. We must look to God; and that was the lesson which God was teaching Elijah by having him hide where God led him and to wait on God alone for his provision.
What is the boll weevil in your life? Are you finances being challenged in these recent times? Maybe you’ve lost your job. Have you had a critical death in your family, perhaps a spouse? Are YOUR plans not panning out the way YOU had intended? Well, as Swindoll points out today, “When God directs, God provides?” So, if you follow God the way Elijah learned to, you will see that God will show you the way; and He will provide what you need.
My Prayer for Today: Oh, God, You are my Jehovah Jireh. You, and You alone are my provider. Amen
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 4 … 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
My Journal for Today: God needed to teach Elijah a lesson which would one day prove essential for what God had in mind for Elijah; and, as Swindoll points out, Elijah needed to experience and internalize the truth that (Swindoll) “God’s direction includes God’s provision.”
To illustrate this Swindoll tells a word picture story related by Vance Havner about a bunch of cotton farmers in the Deep South years ago who were almost wiped out by an infestation of boll weevils. But being inventive, they began to plant and harvest peanuts, which yielded much more income that had the cotton. If it had not been for the plague of weevils, they would haven not discovered the providence of raising a new crop; so the farmers commissioned a statue to be built with the figure of a boll weevil to remind them how God had taught them a lesson by bringing the weevil to redirect their lives.
And that’s the way our lives can go. It’s easy for us to get in a rut in life; but along comes some disastrous set of circumstances and God gets our attention to the truth that He’s there to project and provide in our lives. Right now we’re going through some of the toughest financial times that most of us have ever experienced; and I don’t know about you; but I’ve certainly learned that I need to remember that our financial well being is in God’s hands. He is the provider; and we can’t rely on the government to bail us out of these times. We must look to God; and that was the lesson which God was teaching Elijah by having him hide where God led him and to wait on God alone for his provision.
What is the boll weevil in your life? Are you finances being challenged in these recent times? Maybe you’ve lost your job. Have you had a critical death in your family, perhaps a spouse? Are YOUR plans not panning out the way YOU had intended? Well, as Swindoll points out today, “When God directs, God provides?” So, if you follow God the way Elijah learned to, you will see that God will show you the way; and He will provide what you need.
My Prayer for Today: Oh, God, You are my Jehovah Jireh. You, and You alone are my provider. Amen
Thursday, March 26, 2009
2009 – Day 84.Mar. 26 – The Test of Time
2009 – Day 84.Mar. 26 – The Test of Time
Passage of the Day: Exodus 16 … Link to Chapter 16 …
My Journal for Today: In Exodus 16 we read of the outset of God’s TEST OF TIME for His people. And have you ever noticed how often the number 40 is used by God when testing is involved in the lives of God’s special people. Moses had to wander 40 years in the wilderness, being tested and prepared to be God’s delivery agent for His people from Egypt. Here, in this chapter, we see (if you analyze the dates in Exod. 16: 1) that the people, who had only taken three days to find water after crossing over the Red Sea, now had to wander 40 days without food before they began grumbling to Moses about their bellies being empty. Later in the chapter we read that their journey to Canaan would take 40 years so that God could purge His people of the grumblers and complainer in this generation. And the number 40 is also highlighted when Jesus (see Matt. 4 or Luke 4) fasted for forty days/nights before He encountered Satan in the wilderness.
Yes, God’s number 40 and being “in the wilderness” are often biblical pictures of God’s preparation and purging of our souls for His glory. So, when I read Gods’ word touting the number 40 and/or His “wilderness” experiences, I pay attention; because I know God is teaching me something about my character, my needs, and His provision.
I don’t know about you who might be reading here; but I’m no different than God’s lazy people there in the wilderness with Moses. My soul begins to “grumble” when I’m deprived of food or any of the comforts of life. Actually gluttony is one of my besetting sin patterns; and God had to give me diabetes before I became serious about being thankful for what God gives me that I can eat to leave. I can see why the fasting of food became a discipline of the faith, to show God when we, His children, are serious about looking to our Lord, and only Him, for the provisions of life, whatever our needs may be. Yes, I’m one of those grumblers, who find it hard to remember, trusting God completely, that He will supply all of our needs at all times in our lives [see Phil. 4: 19].
And interestingly enough, it took exactly 40 years in my life, coming to Christ in 1983, 40 years after my birth in 1943, for me to wander in life’s wilderness of sinfulness before I became broken and surrendered to Christ as my Savior and Lord. Now, I hope I’ve gotten God’s message; and I’ll never have to wait even 40 minutes to acknowledge God’s provision is enough for any or all of my needs. My Lord is Jehovah Jireh, my everlasting provider [go to this link for a beautiful look at our Jehovah Jireh]; and He will always provide all I need at all times and in all circumstances. All I have to do is look to Him to be my provider first and always (see Matt. 6: 33).
Oh, don’t you wish that Moses’ followers had gotten that message. God even provided them with manna; and yet they wanted more and better provisions. I look at all we have in our world now, even as we are in an economic “down-turn;” and people are grumbling big time these days. And yet even the homeless can find food and water and even shelter in our welfare culture. Is God going to have to put us through 40 years of economic privation to get us to trust Him as our Provider. I sure hope not! But if that’s what it takes, as it did for the followers of Moses, then, “Lord, bring it on!”
My Prayer for Today: My Lord, I trust You for all our needs. Amen
Passage of the Day: Exodus 16 … Link to Chapter 16 …
My Journal for Today: In Exodus 16 we read of the outset of God’s TEST OF TIME for His people. And have you ever noticed how often the number 40 is used by God when testing is involved in the lives of God’s special people. Moses had to wander 40 years in the wilderness, being tested and prepared to be God’s delivery agent for His people from Egypt. Here, in this chapter, we see (if you analyze the dates in Exod. 16: 1) that the people, who had only taken three days to find water after crossing over the Red Sea, now had to wander 40 days without food before they began grumbling to Moses about their bellies being empty. Later in the chapter we read that their journey to Canaan would take 40 years so that God could purge His people of the grumblers and complainer in this generation. And the number 40 is also highlighted when Jesus (see Matt. 4 or Luke 4) fasted for forty days/nights before He encountered Satan in the wilderness.
Yes, God’s number 40 and being “in the wilderness” are often biblical pictures of God’s preparation and purging of our souls for His glory. So, when I read Gods’ word touting the number 40 and/or His “wilderness” experiences, I pay attention; because I know God is teaching me something about my character, my needs, and His provision.
I don’t know about you who might be reading here; but I’m no different than God’s lazy people there in the wilderness with Moses. My soul begins to “grumble” when I’m deprived of food or any of the comforts of life. Actually gluttony is one of my besetting sin patterns; and God had to give me diabetes before I became serious about being thankful for what God gives me that I can eat to leave. I can see why the fasting of food became a discipline of the faith, to show God when we, His children, are serious about looking to our Lord, and only Him, for the provisions of life, whatever our needs may be. Yes, I’m one of those grumblers, who find it hard to remember, trusting God completely, that He will supply all of our needs at all times in our lives [see Phil. 4: 19].
And interestingly enough, it took exactly 40 years in my life, coming to Christ in 1983, 40 years after my birth in 1943, for me to wander in life’s wilderness of sinfulness before I became broken and surrendered to Christ as my Savior and Lord. Now, I hope I’ve gotten God’s message; and I’ll never have to wait even 40 minutes to acknowledge God’s provision is enough for any or all of my needs. My Lord is Jehovah Jireh, my everlasting provider [go to this link for a beautiful look at our Jehovah Jireh]; and He will always provide all I need at all times and in all circumstances. All I have to do is look to Him to be my provider first and always (see Matt. 6: 33).
Oh, don’t you wish that Moses’ followers had gotten that message. God even provided them with manna; and yet they wanted more and better provisions. I look at all we have in our world now, even as we are in an economic “down-turn;” and people are grumbling big time these days. And yet even the homeless can find food and water and even shelter in our welfare culture. Is God going to have to put us through 40 years of economic privation to get us to trust Him as our Provider. I sure hope not! But if that’s what it takes, as it did for the followers of Moses, then, “Lord, bring it on!”
My Prayer for Today: My Lord, I trust You for all our needs. Amen
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