Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 51 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 32 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 86 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 122 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1 : Psalm 51: 1-2, 4 … 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
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Highlight Passage #2: Psalm 32: 5-6 … 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
My Journal for Today: Yesterday the chronological reading plan from youversion.com led me to read, study, and meditate on 2nd Samuel 11, where David’s sinful tryst with Bathsheba and his shameful cover-up of all the sins were revealed. And then in Chapter 12 of 2nd Samuel, we read how the Prophet Nathan held David accountable for this sin; and how David, in his brokenness confessed all that sin.
Well, in today’s reading, we are taken to a group of Psalms David wrote, expressing his confession of those sins and how God’s mercy allowed David to be spared of the penalty of death from his sinful choices; and then how David sings out to teach others the joy which comes from confession and repentance and how God can/will forgive the sinner when sins are confessed.
You will note above that I have listed Psalm 51 BEFORE Psalm 32; because, chronologically, it is very likely the latter Psalm 32, though numbered before the former, was written after Psalm 51. In Psalm 51, we read of David’s contrition and how he, and he alone, must be held accountable for his own sin; and then how David pleads to God for deliverance and cleansing. In Psalm 32, however, David is recognizing the very joy that has come from his confession; and he is now teaching others about how they must let God be their hiding place and how they must let God guide their lives after confession. Hence, we need to see that Psalm 51 chronologically precedes Psalm 32 in the historical sequence of biblical presentation.
But they both, taken in meditation, give the sinner – as we all are – the joy which comes from bringing our sins out from the darkness of sinful cover-up into the light of God’s saving grace, where God can apply His everlasting cleansing, just as the Apostle John wrote about to Christians, like you and me, in 1st John 7-9, which I’m going to copy here today to help you remember how we, New Covenant, Christians can – and must – relate to God in allowing our sins to be covered by the Savior’s blood.
1st John 7 – 9 [NLT] - … 7 But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.
It’s that simple, my friend. And David’s life and his songs, as we meditate on them here in this place, should give us encouragement and hope as to keeping short accounts before God with our conviction, which comes from His enlightenment, and our contrition, which is the result of His enabling grace giving us the power, which comes right from the cross, to overcome and confess our sinfulness.
And the result? … Well, the result is what David recognized in his life and was most willing to share with God’s people in Psalms 51 and 31. And when we are the beneficiaries of these truths, exercising the same contrition of confession, repentance, and right living, we gain what David did … the joy of our salvation.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, thank You for shedding Your blood that I may be cleansed of my sin. And may I always, even this day, keep short accounts before Your throne of grace. Amen
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 12, 2012 … We All Have Choices!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 2nd Samuel: 11-12 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day #2: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study:1st Chronicles: … Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 20 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 11: 1 … 1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite."4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, "I am pregnant."
My Journal for Today: Well, if you’re a Bible reader or student, my guess would be that you’ve read, studied, and heard sermons on this passage which my chronological reading plan is taking me through this morning. It’s the famous – or infamous – story of David’s series of bad choices which led him deeper and deeper into a mire of sin and degradation.
And who would have ever guessed that the young man whom God pursued and anointed as His King to be, … the young man who marshaled the faith to slay Goliath, … and the young man who held onto his faith and integrity when he was being chased down by King Saul, who was trying to kill David; … this young man, who was called “the man after God’s own heart,” now becomes a King who makes a series of sinful choices which certainly couldn’t be described as choices after God’s heart. Who would’ve thunk it?
And in today’s highlight passage, Verses 1-5 of 2nd Samuel, Chapter 1, there is much we can all learn about a man (or woman) of God who lets down his (or her) guard and becomes complacent in their life, breaking from past faith disciplines or practices which allowed them to have a deep and abiding relationship with God.
You’ve probably heard a number of sermons exposing or teaching on 2nd Samuel 11 and the confrontation with the Prophet Nathan about David’s sin and subsequent cover-up in 2nd Samuel 12; so, I won’t try to bore with you here with what you probably already know about this very unfortunate segment in the life of David, that “man after God’s own heart.”
But every time I revisit this passage, the reminder jumps out at me that ALL believers – no matter how disciplined or spiritually powerful they have been in their past – are vulnerable to the devices, temptations, and schemes of Satan and his world, especially when they let their guard down and make self-serving choices rather than Savior-serving decisions. Oh, … I do my best to model and teach in the ministry God led me to found and now lead how to do battle against sexual temptations. Battle Plan Ministry (see http://battleplanministries.org), which is a ministry which fits right into this David & Bathsheba episode, we learn and relearn that every day – well, really every moment – is a battle; and the stakes of spiritual warfare for the Christian may not be our soul (because “once saved, always saved”); but when we make ungodly, selfish/sinful choices, what we’re risking is the integrity and power of our testimony or witness as Christians.
We see it every week in BattlePlan Ministries, … men who desire to be Godly men, making ungodly choices and then, often going the next step, as did King David, by trying to cover up their sin; and like David, often the result of just one bad and sinful choice will be a series of ungodly behaviors which can lead to the destruction of marriages, families, and quite often the power of that one’s witness for the Lord.
David started by making the choice to be at home rather than where he should have been – out on the battlefield, right beside the man whom he ultimately had killed, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. And then being at home, where David had no business being, the King fell by making one bad choice after another until Satan had him wrapped up in a package of sinful, spiritual impotence.
Oh, the horror we get into when we put ourselves in the position to make one bad choice which honors and worships Satan rather than to be right where we should be, making choices which honor and worship our Savior.
So, am I right where I should be this day, … in the place God would want me to be, … so that the Lord can pour His enabling and empowering grace into my humble surrender to His will and by doing all I can to follow His way by heeding and following His word? I think I am; but I’m on constant and ever-vigilant guard to stay right in the center of God’s will and His path for my life. Because when I’m there, where I should be in God’s sight, following His light, I know that I will be far less vulnerable to the pursuits of an enemy who stalks me as described by the Apostle Peter in 1st Peter 5: 8 [check it out!].
I really identify with old King David when he blew it with Bathsheba. In fact I once had that T-shirt, marked by sexual sin. But now, having burned that ungodly uniform, I never again want to have to wear it, going through what David had to when he confessed and repented of his sin. No, … from here on, my choices are going to be forged to wear the uniform of purity and righteousness, wearing the Robes my Lord has given me to wear which hide the rags of sin which I want to hide forever. That’s the Godly cover-up, which God in which wants all of to participate … so that we don’t have to feel driven to cover-up in the way David exhibited, the cover-up of our sin which ultimately dampens out ability to worship God and witness for His glory.
My Prayer Today: … I thank You, Lord, for cleansing me up as You did the fallen King David; and I praise Your Name that I can wear Your robes of righteousness to honor and glorify You, Holy Father, with the choices I will make this very day. Amen
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Passage of the Day #2: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study:1st Chronicles: … Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 20 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 11: 1 … 1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite."4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, "I am pregnant."
My Journal for Today: Well, if you’re a Bible reader or student, my guess would be that you’ve read, studied, and heard sermons on this passage which my chronological reading plan is taking me through this morning. It’s the famous – or infamous – story of David’s series of bad choices which led him deeper and deeper into a mire of sin and degradation.
And who would have ever guessed that the young man whom God pursued and anointed as His King to be, … the young man who marshaled the faith to slay Goliath, … and the young man who held onto his faith and integrity when he was being chased down by King Saul, who was trying to kill David; … this young man, who was called “the man after God’s own heart,” now becomes a King who makes a series of sinful choices which certainly couldn’t be described as choices after God’s heart. Who would’ve thunk it?
And in today’s highlight passage, Verses 1-5 of 2nd Samuel, Chapter 1, there is much we can all learn about a man (or woman) of God who lets down his (or her) guard and becomes complacent in their life, breaking from past faith disciplines or practices which allowed them to have a deep and abiding relationship with God.
You’ve probably heard a number of sermons exposing or teaching on 2nd Samuel 11 and the confrontation with the Prophet Nathan about David’s sin and subsequent cover-up in 2nd Samuel 12; so, I won’t try to bore with you here with what you probably already know about this very unfortunate segment in the life of David, that “man after God’s own heart.”
But every time I revisit this passage, the reminder jumps out at me that ALL believers – no matter how disciplined or spiritually powerful they have been in their past – are vulnerable to the devices, temptations, and schemes of Satan and his world, especially when they let their guard down and make self-serving choices rather than Savior-serving decisions. Oh, … I do my best to model and teach in the ministry God led me to found and now lead how to do battle against sexual temptations. Battle Plan Ministry (see http://battleplanministries.org), which is a ministry which fits right into this David & Bathsheba episode, we learn and relearn that every day – well, really every moment – is a battle; and the stakes of spiritual warfare for the Christian may not be our soul (because “once saved, always saved”); but when we make ungodly, selfish/sinful choices, what we’re risking is the integrity and power of our testimony or witness as Christians.
We see it every week in BattlePlan Ministries, … men who desire to be Godly men, making ungodly choices and then, often going the next step, as did King David, by trying to cover up their sin; and like David, often the result of just one bad and sinful choice will be a series of ungodly behaviors which can lead to the destruction of marriages, families, and quite often the power of that one’s witness for the Lord.
David started by making the choice to be at home rather than where he should have been – out on the battlefield, right beside the man whom he ultimately had killed, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. And then being at home, where David had no business being, the King fell by making one bad choice after another until Satan had him wrapped up in a package of sinful, spiritual impotence.
Oh, the horror we get into when we put ourselves in the position to make one bad choice which honors and worships Satan rather than to be right where we should be, making choices which honor and worship our Savior.
So, am I right where I should be this day, … in the place God would want me to be, … so that the Lord can pour His enabling and empowering grace into my humble surrender to His will and by doing all I can to follow His way by heeding and following His word? I think I am; but I’m on constant and ever-vigilant guard to stay right in the center of God’s will and His path for my life. Because when I’m there, where I should be in God’s sight, following His light, I know that I will be far less vulnerable to the pursuits of an enemy who stalks me as described by the Apostle Peter in 1st Peter 5: 8 [check it out!].
I really identify with old King David when he blew it with Bathsheba. In fact I once had that T-shirt, marked by sexual sin. But now, having burned that ungodly uniform, I never again want to have to wear it, going through what David had to when he confessed and repented of his sin. No, … from here on, my choices are going to be forged to wear the uniform of purity and righteousness, wearing the Robes my Lord has given me to wear which hide the rags of sin which I want to hide forever. That’s the Godly cover-up, which God in which wants all of to participate … so that we don’t have to feel driven to cover-up in the way David exhibited, the cover-up of our sin which ultimately dampens out ability to worship God and witness for His glory.
My Prayer Today: … I thank You, Lord, for cleansing me up as You did the fallen King David; and I praise Your Name that I can wear Your robes of righteousness to honor and glorify You, Holy Father, with the choices I will make this very day. Amen
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 11, 2012 … Lessons from the Crucible of Life
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 65 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 66 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 67 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 69 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 70 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1 : Psalm 66: 10 … For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. ============
Highlight Passage #2 : Psalm 69: 12-13 … 12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. 13 But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
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Highlight Passage #3 : Psalm 70: 1 and 4 … 1 Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me. …4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"
My Journal for Today: If you are reading along with me here, I hope you’ll take the time to meditate a bit on the Psalms which are in today’s chronological reading plan and about which I will comment in my devotional entry for this morning. There are some strong lessons we can glean from these songs written by David and possibly other song writers in ancient Israel.
The first image which I always need to remember in my personal living is the word picture of life being like the fire which was applied to precious metals when the metal worker wanted to purify the silver or gold. The metal would be placed in a crucible; and under fire, the dross, or the impurities, would float to the top, allowing the metal-smith to take away the dross, leaving the pure, precious metal in a more serviceable state. Here this image is used by God in His word in Psalm 66 as David declares that his life has been tested in the fires of trials so that he, David, like the silver, would be a more pure servant of God. And that is what we need to see about the burning trials of life; … that these tough times are testing and purifying us in our service to our God. … But do we see our trials as David did?
The next application point can be made by Highlight Passage #2 above, Psalm 69: 13, where David, even though he felt oppressed by the world, even mocked by his subjects, chose to go to his God in prayer, remembering how loving and merciful was his God. And when we’re under pressures from the world or people in our world, is this our reflexive and proactive battle plan; i.e., to go to prayer. The Apostle Paul certainly felt that way when, in prison and under great oppression, even fearing death from the Romans, he wrote to his fellow Christians (in Philippians 4: 6 - NKJV) … Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. … But do we follow this lead from David and Paul when we’re oppressed and feeling anxious?
And then finally, from Highlight Passage #3 above, I hope we can also learn from David the powerful lesson of faith in being able to CHOOSE joy and praise even when we feel like we’re about to go under in life. In Psalm 70, David was pleading for God to save him from the trials of his life; … yet even in such circumstances, David writes in this song to the people, as I am remembering today, for us to rejoice and be glad in our relationship with God because God is always there for us and we must acknowledge our love for the Lord … yes, even when we feel we are drowning in the circumstances of life. … But do we really choose joy when life is so tough?
Well, there are three powerful lessons – at least for this humble Christian – on another morning when I always need to remember to praise God in all of life’s trials; because as the Lord says to me as well from a memorized truth from Romans 8: 28, that He works in all things for my good – yes, even the oppressive stuff – and from that, I need to choose to praise my Lord and find joy in His mercy and love for me.
My Prayer Today: … Prayerfully I seek to find joy in life, Lord, knowing that You love me ALWAYS and You will ALWAYS purify me in the trials of life. Praise Your Holy Name, my Lord! Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 66 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 67 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 69 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 70 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Highlight Passage #1 : Psalm 66: 10 … For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. ============
Highlight Passage #2 : Psalm 69: 12-13 … 12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. 13 But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
============
Highlight Passage #3 : Psalm 70: 1 and 4 … 1 Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me. …4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"
My Journal for Today: If you are reading along with me here, I hope you’ll take the time to meditate a bit on the Psalms which are in today’s chronological reading plan and about which I will comment in my devotional entry for this morning. There are some strong lessons we can glean from these songs written by David and possibly other song writers in ancient Israel.
The first image which I always need to remember in my personal living is the word picture of life being like the fire which was applied to precious metals when the metal worker wanted to purify the silver or gold. The metal would be placed in a crucible; and under fire, the dross, or the impurities, would float to the top, allowing the metal-smith to take away the dross, leaving the pure, precious metal in a more serviceable state. Here this image is used by God in His word in Psalm 66 as David declares that his life has been tested in the fires of trials so that he, David, like the silver, would be a more pure servant of God. And that is what we need to see about the burning trials of life; … that these tough times are testing and purifying us in our service to our God. … But do we see our trials as David did?
The next application point can be made by Highlight Passage #2 above, Psalm 69: 13, where David, even though he felt oppressed by the world, even mocked by his subjects, chose to go to his God in prayer, remembering how loving and merciful was his God. And when we’re under pressures from the world or people in our world, is this our reflexive and proactive battle plan; i.e., to go to prayer. The Apostle Paul certainly felt that way when, in prison and under great oppression, even fearing death from the Romans, he wrote to his fellow Christians (in Philippians 4: 6 - NKJV) … Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. … But do we follow this lead from David and Paul when we’re oppressed and feeling anxious?
And then finally, from Highlight Passage #3 above, I hope we can also learn from David the powerful lesson of faith in being able to CHOOSE joy and praise even when we feel like we’re about to go under in life. In Psalm 70, David was pleading for God to save him from the trials of his life; … yet even in such circumstances, David writes in this song to the people, as I am remembering today, for us to rejoice and be glad in our relationship with God because God is always there for us and we must acknowledge our love for the Lord … yes, even when we feel we are drowning in the circumstances of life. … But do we really choose joy when life is so tough?
Well, there are three powerful lessons – at least for this humble Christian – on another morning when I always need to remember to praise God in all of life’s trials; because as the Lord says to me as well from a memorized truth from Romans 8: 28, that He works in all things for my good – yes, even the oppressive stuff – and from that, I need to choose to praise my Lord and find joy in His mercy and love for me.
My Prayer Today: … Prayerfully I seek to find joy in life, Lord, knowing that You love me ALWAYS and You will ALWAYS purify me in the trials of life. Praise Your Holy Name, my Lord! Amen
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May 10, 2012 … Bring It Out Into the Light
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 2nd Samuel: 10 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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1st Chronicles: … Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 19 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 20 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 10: 6 … 6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob.
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Highlight Passage #2: … 1st Chronicles 19: 6 … 6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maakah and Zobah.
My Journal for Today: My chronological read in the Bible today has me studying an historical account of King David’s Israelite armies, under the generalship of Joab, going to battle against the Ammonites, who felt they were outmatched by the Israelites and hired the Arameans as mercenaries to fight with them. David even wrote a song about this encounter in Psalm 20, which is also included in the reading this morning.
But the incident which caught my attention for my journal (blog) entry today was the decision by the Ammonite King, Hanum, knew that he had made a serious mistake by embarrassing King David’s ambassadors (see the two reading chapters today for this part of the story), and decided to spend an enormous amount of money [almost 40 tons of silver] to hire Aramean mercenaries, rather than admit his error and then try to apologize to David and negotiate a settlement.
Have you ever made a really big mistake; and rather than bring it out, from the darkness, into the light of revelation, you balked and decided to hide in the darkness? What we generally do then is to do what ever it takes to cover up the self-acknowledged stupidity or mistake. And isn’t it so often the case that the cover-up, once revealed, is far - far more costly than it would have been to embarrassingly admit the mistake and take the lumps of whatever the cost is to make it right with the one we have wronged.
Yeah, I’ve been there, … done than, … and I’ve gotten that T-shirt, which reads: “STUPIDO!!!” But really, don’t you know that a cover-up mentality is in our genes? Have you ever seen a child, maybe two years old, when he/she is busted by a parent doing a “no-no;” and when asked if the kid did the deed, he/she will reflexively lies, desiring to cover up the “no-no,” … absolutely refusing to bring the light of truth to bear on the situation. It’s just in our nature … our SIN nature.
So, the reminder lesson God brings out for me today is … trying to hide the truth with darkness will almost ALWAYS be more painful and costly than choosing the often very humiliating, but necessary, route of admitting the wrong and bringing it out, from the darkness, into the light of truth and vulnerability. Yes, it will almost always be painful; but having several of those humbling T-shirts from past lessons like this, I know that it’s ALWAYS best to avoid the reflexive human tendency to go back into the darkness; and rather, as growing Christians, we know it’s best to exercise God’s way of bringing the truth out into the light.
Do I sense an “AMEN!” of agreement? Well, maybe it’s time to let God guide us out from the darkness into the light and do what God’s word says in 1st John 1: 9 ... [link provided]; and I hope you know exactly what I’m saying here – from having that verse memorized. But if not, use the link and look it up; and see if you might need to do what it says and feel the cleansing that comes from being in God’s light rather than in our darkness.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, thanks for the reminder of Your light, which always is where You are leading me. Amen
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1st Chronicles: … Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 19 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 20 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 10: 6 … 6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob.
============
Highlight Passage #2: … 1st Chronicles 19: 6 … 6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maakah and Zobah.
My Journal for Today: My chronological read in the Bible today has me studying an historical account of King David’s Israelite armies, under the generalship of Joab, going to battle against the Ammonites, who felt they were outmatched by the Israelites and hired the Arameans as mercenaries to fight with them. David even wrote a song about this encounter in Psalm 20, which is also included in the reading this morning.
But the incident which caught my attention for my journal (blog) entry today was the decision by the Ammonite King, Hanum, knew that he had made a serious mistake by embarrassing King David’s ambassadors (see the two reading chapters today for this part of the story), and decided to spend an enormous amount of money [almost 40 tons of silver] to hire Aramean mercenaries, rather than admit his error and then try to apologize to David and negotiate a settlement.
Have you ever made a really big mistake; and rather than bring it out, from the darkness, into the light of revelation, you balked and decided to hide in the darkness? What we generally do then is to do what ever it takes to cover up the self-acknowledged stupidity or mistake. And isn’t it so often the case that the cover-up, once revealed, is far - far more costly than it would have been to embarrassingly admit the mistake and take the lumps of whatever the cost is to make it right with the one we have wronged.
Yeah, I’ve been there, … done than, … and I’ve gotten that T-shirt, which reads: “STUPIDO!!!” But really, don’t you know that a cover-up mentality is in our genes? Have you ever seen a child, maybe two years old, when he/she is busted by a parent doing a “no-no;” and when asked if the kid did the deed, he/she will reflexively lies, desiring to cover up the “no-no,” … absolutely refusing to bring the light of truth to bear on the situation. It’s just in our nature … our SIN nature.
So, the reminder lesson God brings out for me today is … trying to hide the truth with darkness will almost ALWAYS be more painful and costly than choosing the often very humiliating, but necessary, route of admitting the wrong and bringing it out, from the darkness, into the light of truth and vulnerability. Yes, it will almost always be painful; but having several of those humbling T-shirts from past lessons like this, I know that it’s ALWAYS best to avoid the reflexive human tendency to go back into the darkness; and rather, as growing Christians, we know it’s best to exercise God’s way of bringing the truth out into the light.
Do I sense an “AMEN!” of agreement? Well, maybe it’s time to let God guide us out from the darkness into the light and do what God’s word says in 1st John 1: 9 ... [link provided]; and I hope you know exactly what I’m saying here – from having that verse memorized. But if not, use the link and look it up; and see if you might need to do what it says and feel the cleansing that comes from being in God’s light rather than in our darkness.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, thanks for the reminder of Your light, which always is where You are leading me. Amen
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
May 9, 2012 … No, … not even one!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 50 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 53 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 60 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 75 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1: Psalm 53: 1-3 … 1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. … 2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. … 3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
My Journal for Today: Four more Psalms today in my chronological reading plan, guiding me through the Bible; and all of them, written by David and Asaph, his worship leader, write of God’s judgment on the rebellious ones and the unbelieving fools who proclaim that there is no God. And the highlight passage which jumped out at me today – even personally – was Psalm 53, verses 1-3, which my commentary today reminded me is a restatement of Psalm 14 and was even quoted by the Apostle Paul in is treatise on sin in Roman 3 (verses 10-12, 23).
And hence I titled my blog today, “No, not one,” which, of course, refers to the fact that we’re all sinners and subject to God’s judgment against His created children who have rebelled against him. And above I said that this is personalized in my testimony and witness because, for many of the years of my accountable adult life, I was one of those “fools” who declared that there was no God. And I did so, like many others who proclaim themselves to be “atheists” or “agnostics,” because I needed some way of hiding or defending my chronically sinful life.
My Parsons Commentary on the highlight passage from Psalm 53: 1 today is pertinent and worthy of quoting here in reference to my own atheism as well as the proclamations of others who claim there is no God: ”People may say there is no God in order to cover up their sin, to have an excuse to continue in sin, and/or to ignore the Judge in order to avoid the judgment. “Fools” do not necessarily lack intelligence; many atheists and unbelievers are highly educated. Fools are people who reject God, the only one who can save them.”
And that commentary nails yours truly for all those years when I thought of myself as an “intellectual,” who thought of Christians as hypocrites who sought after a mythical god who would be a panacea of hope for their foolishness; … when, in point of fact, I was the fool and the mega-hypocrite, trying to excuse my own sinful way of life. However, back in those days when I railed and argued with Christians about their hypocrisy, there was a certain element of truth to my observations and claims. Many, if not most, Christians, were hypocritical, proclaiming their faith, but not living it out in their everyday lives.
But there are Christians, and prayerfully that is you and me, who are proclaiming – and prayerfully living - the truth which was expressed by the prophet in Isaiah 53: 6 about the hope and reality of our Messiah Who has come to give us – all of us – THE WAY to be saved from our own sinfulness. I hope you know and have memorized those words from Isaiah; but if not let me quote them here for your meditation.
Is. 53: 6 [NIV]: We all, like sheep, have gone astray; … each one of us has turned to his own way; … and the Lord has laid upon HIM (i.e., the Messiah) the iniquity of us all.
I’ll let you have your own little meditation on these truths from God’s Spirit and His word this morning; and maybe, like me, they will convict you to be so, so, so, so grateful for a Messiah, the Lamb of God, Who came, bled, and died so that a fool like me (or maybe you can identify) can be saved.
Maybe right now, like me, you’re thinking and quoting, from memory, John 3: 16, or maybe that powerful word from Isaiah 53: 6 above. Let us all, if we’re grateful for these truths, proclaim a loud … ”HALLELUJAH” and a resounding “PRAISE YOU, LORD!”
My Prayer Today: … Oh, yes, my Lord, …and ... PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME!!! Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 53 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 60 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 75 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1: Psalm 53: 1-3 … 1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. … 2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. … 3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
My Journal for Today: Four more Psalms today in my chronological reading plan, guiding me through the Bible; and all of them, written by David and Asaph, his worship leader, write of God’s judgment on the rebellious ones and the unbelieving fools who proclaim that there is no God. And the highlight passage which jumped out at me today – even personally – was Psalm 53, verses 1-3, which my commentary today reminded me is a restatement of Psalm 14 and was even quoted by the Apostle Paul in is treatise on sin in Roman 3 (verses 10-12, 23).
And hence I titled my blog today, “No, not one,” which, of course, refers to the fact that we’re all sinners and subject to God’s judgment against His created children who have rebelled against him. And above I said that this is personalized in my testimony and witness because, for many of the years of my accountable adult life, I was one of those “fools” who declared that there was no God. And I did so, like many others who proclaim themselves to be “atheists” or “agnostics,” because I needed some way of hiding or defending my chronically sinful life.
My Parsons Commentary on the highlight passage from Psalm 53: 1 today is pertinent and worthy of quoting here in reference to my own atheism as well as the proclamations of others who claim there is no God: ”People may say there is no God in order to cover up their sin, to have an excuse to continue in sin, and/or to ignore the Judge in order to avoid the judgment. “Fools” do not necessarily lack intelligence; many atheists and unbelievers are highly educated. Fools are people who reject God, the only one who can save them.”
And that commentary nails yours truly for all those years when I thought of myself as an “intellectual,” who thought of Christians as hypocrites who sought after a mythical god who would be a panacea of hope for their foolishness; … when, in point of fact, I was the fool and the mega-hypocrite, trying to excuse my own sinful way of life. However, back in those days when I railed and argued with Christians about their hypocrisy, there was a certain element of truth to my observations and claims. Many, if not most, Christians, were hypocritical, proclaiming their faith, but not living it out in their everyday lives.
But there are Christians, and prayerfully that is you and me, who are proclaiming – and prayerfully living - the truth which was expressed by the prophet in Isaiah 53: 6 about the hope and reality of our Messiah Who has come to give us – all of us – THE WAY to be saved from our own sinfulness. I hope you know and have memorized those words from Isaiah; but if not let me quote them here for your meditation.
Is. 53: 6 [NIV]: We all, like sheep, have gone astray; … each one of us has turned to his own way; … and the Lord has laid upon HIM (i.e., the Messiah) the iniquity of us all.
I’ll let you have your own little meditation on these truths from God’s Spirit and His word this morning; and maybe, like me, they will convict you to be so, so, so, so grateful for a Messiah, the Lamb of God, Who came, bled, and died so that a fool like me (or maybe you can identify) can be saved.
Maybe right now, like me, you’re thinking and quoting, from memory, John 3: 16, or maybe that powerful word from Isaiah 53: 6 above. Let us all, if we’re grateful for these truths, proclaim a loud … ”HALLELUJAH” and a resounding “PRAISE YOU, LORD!”
My Prayer Today: … Oh, yes, my Lord, …
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
May 8, 2012 … Horizontal Peace from Vertical Obedience
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 2nd Samuel: 8-9 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
... And 1st Chronicles 18 … To study this chapter, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 8: 13-15 … 13 And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. 15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
My Journal for Today: Back in 2nd Samuel 8 and 1st Chronicles 18 today where chronologically I was led to read how God honored the devoted heart of His own anointed leader of God’s people with victories over their arch enemies like the Moabites and the Edomites, allowing for a secure consolidation and peace in the lands which the Lord had been promised to Abraham. It was the Covenant God has established Abraham and renewed with David for God’s peoples; and in the highlight passage for today, I’m emphasizing that the peace which was God-wrought and God-protected for His people came from God honoring, in the horizontal relationships among the peoples in these regions, the vertical relationship He had with David, who was a man after God’s heart and was God’s ordained leader.
And the heart of God’s love was also illustrated if you, my fellow reader, go back into 2nd Samuel 9 and read of how King David treated the son of his old friend, Jonathan, the young man Mephibosheth, a physically handicapped lad whom David could have, by law, executed. However, David brought the dependent young lad into his court and gave him the protection of God’s love, which David had really been established years earlier with Mephibosheth’s daddy, Jonathan. David’s vertical love for God is why God showered God’s people in David’s day with His love and peace. And as you read in today’s Bible reading, David treated ALL of God’s people, even the enemies of the Israelites, with the peace of God.
When we, as God’s people can and will exercise the love of God from a deep/abiding VERTICAL relationship with the Heavenly Father, God gives the blessing of His grace to extend over in establishing a HORIZONTAL peace among His children in this world. That is the promise of the prophesy given by God to His people through Isaiah (see Isaiah 26: 3 - NKJV): You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on Him.”
Is it any wonder that we see war, hatred, and maltreatment horizontally in this world today as God’s people, especially His established leaders, do not choose to honor the one, true, living God, Who desires to see His people living in peace. That’s why God, the Father, sent His Son and His Spirit into this world; but mankind still refuses to live as our Lord desires for His people. And because of our disobedience and unwillingness to live in vertical accord with God, we will never see God’ s peace in this world, until Jesus returns to reign over David’s throne again on this earth.
And in this regard, I pray the prayer of John from the end of Revelation … Come, Lord Jesus!
My Prayer Today: … Yes, … come soon, Lord Jesus! Amen
... And 1st Chronicles 18 … To study this chapter, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 8: 13-15 … 13 And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. 15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
My Journal for Today: Back in 2nd Samuel 8 and 1st Chronicles 18 today where chronologically I was led to read how God honored the devoted heart of His own anointed leader of God’s people with victories over their arch enemies like the Moabites and the Edomites, allowing for a secure consolidation and peace in the lands which the Lord had been promised to Abraham. It was the Covenant God has established Abraham and renewed with David for God’s peoples; and in the highlight passage for today, I’m emphasizing that the peace which was God-wrought and God-protected for His people came from God honoring, in the horizontal relationships among the peoples in these regions, the vertical relationship He had with David, who was a man after God’s heart and was God’s ordained leader.
And the heart of God’s love was also illustrated if you, my fellow reader, go back into 2nd Samuel 9 and read of how King David treated the son of his old friend, Jonathan, the young man Mephibosheth, a physically handicapped lad whom David could have, by law, executed. However, David brought the dependent young lad into his court and gave him the protection of God’s love, which David had really been established years earlier with Mephibosheth’s daddy, Jonathan. David’s vertical love for God is why God showered God’s people in David’s day with His love and peace. And as you read in today’s Bible reading, David treated ALL of God’s people, even the enemies of the Israelites, with the peace of God.
When we, as God’s people can and will exercise the love of God from a deep/abiding VERTICAL relationship with the Heavenly Father, God gives the blessing of His grace to extend over in establishing a HORIZONTAL peace among His children in this world. That is the promise of the prophesy given by God to His people through Isaiah (see Isaiah 26: 3 - NKJV): You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on Him.”
Is it any wonder that we see war, hatred, and maltreatment horizontally in this world today as God’s people, especially His established leaders, do not choose to honor the one, true, living God, Who desires to see His people living in peace. That’s why God, the Father, sent His Son and His Spirit into this world; but mankind still refuses to live as our Lord desires for His people. And because of our disobedience and unwillingness to live in vertical accord with God, we will never see God’ s peace in this world, until Jesus returns to reign over David’s throne again on this earth.
And in this regard, I pray the prayer of John from the end of Revelation … Come, Lord Jesus!
My Prayer Today: … Yes, … come soon, Lord Jesus! Amen
Monday, May 07, 2012
May 7, 2012 … God’s Word – A Light Unto Our Path
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 25 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 29 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 33 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 36 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 39 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1: Psalm 25: 4-5 … 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
My Journal for Today: Five more Psalms to read in my chronological reading plan today; and after reading them, I was taken back to the first of the five, Psalm 25, verses 4-5, where, early in today’s study, this passage was the one upon which I would journal this day.
The song writer, again, is David; and the King here (in Ps. 25) is writing lyrics which express his trust in his [and our] God; and from whence does this trust come? Well, from today’s highlight passage, we read that David was a seeker after God’s way in life; and he found his guide path by being taught and led by God’s truth. And where do we find God’s truth? Well, we seek out and find God’s way by being led by His word, … that most available light for our path in life.
And as I read today’s highlight passage, two more formerly memorized passages bubbled up out of my consciousness; and I’ll leave it to you to seek them out and meditate on their content: … Proverbs 3: 5-6 and Psalm 119: 105. And in these two passages of Scripture – God’s truth found in His word – we see that God’s word is where we find the light for our path and the hope for our lives (temporally and eternally).
That was God’s message to Joshua as well in Joshua 1: 8, … that when we stay in God’s word and let His truth light our path, we will find God’s successful and fruitful way in life; and I’m sure, my dear one reading here, that is your desire in life as it is mine.
If you’ve ever read my blogging for any period of time, you may remember the word picture/puzzle I often use when I teach about finding God’s way in life; and it has to do with traversing a mine field, which I picture as our life in these troubled times. Don’t you think life today can be pictured as a mine-field, wrought with all kinds of “I.E.D.s” [i.e., improvised explosive devices], which are often hidden from view in life? And it’s so easy to trip on one of them and have life just blow up in our face. Do I sense an “Amen?!”
Well, in relating this word picture/puzzle, my question for the seeker in life is as follows: ”In traversing the mine-fields of life, would you rather have to go it alone … or would you rather follow someone who could lead you, knowing exactly where all the mines were?” … Well, DUH!!! … Of course, the answer is a no-brainer!! … And so, in picturing life as a minefield, I’ve decided to heed the advice of Jesus to His disciples in Luke 9: 23, which may be the most oft-quoted verse I share in my blogs: If anyone would come after Me, … let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
And what is the most direct method for following Jesus in life? Well, I’m probably preaching to the choir here; but of course, it’s to use the map that Christ has lain out for us to traverse this mine field we call life; and that is His word, … our Bible. I think this is really all I need to say … again … in this place. And, yes, … I keep coming back to it … over and over and over again.
Years ago, I had a mentor who told me, “Bill, if you take Psalm 119 and Joshua 1: 8 to heart and really get God’s word buried in your mind and heart, you’ll have a so much more fruitful life with so much less stress than if you try to go through life on your own.” Well, I followed him into God’s word; and I’ve been into this light of truth, just as I was this morning, ever day since (and that was well over 20 years ago).
God’s word is truly a light unto our path; and it’s my source of hope, just as it was for King David; … and as I pray it is for you.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, … oh how I pray that any reader here can find the light for life’s path as I have found in Your word. Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 29 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 33 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 36 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 39 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1: Psalm 25: 4-5 … 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
My Journal for Today: Five more Psalms to read in my chronological reading plan today; and after reading them, I was taken back to the first of the five, Psalm 25, verses 4-5, where, early in today’s study, this passage was the one upon which I would journal this day.
The song writer, again, is David; and the King here (in Ps. 25) is writing lyrics which express his trust in his [and our] God; and from whence does this trust come? Well, from today’s highlight passage, we read that David was a seeker after God’s way in life; and he found his guide path by being taught and led by God’s truth. And where do we find God’s truth? Well, we seek out and find God’s way by being led by His word, … that most available light for our path in life.
And as I read today’s highlight passage, two more formerly memorized passages bubbled up out of my consciousness; and I’ll leave it to you to seek them out and meditate on their content: … Proverbs 3: 5-6 and Psalm 119: 105. And in these two passages of Scripture – God’s truth found in His word – we see that God’s word is where we find the light for our path and the hope for our lives (temporally and eternally).
That was God’s message to Joshua as well in Joshua 1: 8, … that when we stay in God’s word and let His truth light our path, we will find God’s successful and fruitful way in life; and I’m sure, my dear one reading here, that is your desire in life as it is mine.
If you’ve ever read my blogging for any period of time, you may remember the word picture/puzzle I often use when I teach about finding God’s way in life; and it has to do with traversing a mine field, which I picture as our life in these troubled times. Don’t you think life today can be pictured as a mine-field, wrought with all kinds of “I.E.D.s” [i.e., improvised explosive devices], which are often hidden from view in life? And it’s so easy to trip on one of them and have life just blow up in our face. Do I sense an “Amen?!”
Well, in relating this word picture/puzzle, my question for the seeker in life is as follows: ”In traversing the mine-fields of life, would you rather have to go it alone … or would you rather follow someone who could lead you, knowing exactly where all the mines were?” … Well, DUH!!! … Of course, the answer is a no-brainer!! … And so, in picturing life as a minefield, I’ve decided to heed the advice of Jesus to His disciples in Luke 9: 23, which may be the most oft-quoted verse I share in my blogs: If anyone would come after Me, … let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
And what is the most direct method for following Jesus in life? Well, I’m probably preaching to the choir here; but of course, it’s to use the map that Christ has lain out for us to traverse this mine field we call life; and that is His word, … our Bible. I think this is really all I need to say … again … in this place. And, yes, … I keep coming back to it … over and over and over again.
Years ago, I had a mentor who told me, “Bill, if you take Psalm 119 and Joshua 1: 8 to heart and really get God’s word buried in your mind and heart, you’ll have a so much more fruitful life with so much less stress than if you try to go through life on your own.” Well, I followed him into God’s word; and I’ve been into this light of truth, just as I was this morning, ever day since (and that was well over 20 years ago).
God’s word is truly a light unto our path; and it’s my source of hope, just as it was for King David; … and as I pray it is for you.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, … oh how I pray that any reader here can find the light for life’s path as I have found in Your word. Amen
Sunday, May 06, 2012
May 6, 2012 … Be Careful Whom You Criticize
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 2nd Samuel: 6-7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
1st Chronicles, Chapter 17 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 6: 14-16; … 20-23 … 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might,15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. ...
My Journal for Today: Today’s chronological read in both 2nd Sam. 6-7 and 1st Chron. 17 had a lot to take in, especially about the Covenant God made with King David; but it is the highlight section I’ve copied above from 2nd Sam. 6 which was the reading/study segment I believe God has emboldened in my consciousness this morning for my comments.
Here you read of how, when David had the Ark of the Covenant brought into God’s City, Jerusalem, Michal, his wife and formerly Saul’s daughter, criticized her husband, the God-anointed King, for the flamboyant way David danced and worshipped God. David’s worship was, in her opinion, over-the-top and inappropriate; and she was openly vocal with her criticism of her husband; and the ultimate result, as one can read in Verse 23 of 2nd Sam. 6 was a life of childlessness.
Michal was not the only character in the OT who criticized God’s anointed leaders. Take note of a few others: … Miriam, Moses’ sister, mocked her brother and was stricken with leprosy (see Num. 12). … Korah and others led a rebellion against Moses (see Num. 16); and all the rebels were swallowed up by the earth. … Shimei [in 2nd Sam. 17 and 1st Kings 2] cursed and threw stones at David and was executed by Solomon. And there were others as well in the Bible who openly expressed a hyper-critical attitude against God’s anointed leaders; and God dealt with them somehow, in someway, in God’s own timing and will.
The lesson for me today (and maybe for others); … we really need to be careful with our attitude and our criticism of God’s anointed leaders. Have you ever heard someone gossiping or verbally railing against some ordained church leader, … perhaps their own local Pastor or maybe a church Elder or Deacon? I have; and now I know why it makes me feel very uncomfortable … or sometimes even somewhat angry. I hear people being critical about a Pastor’s sermon; … or maybe criticizing the church worship leader’s choice of songs or the loudness of the music; … or maybe railing criticism of some decision the church Elders have made; and I realize now that these trivial critical attitudinal expressions are not that much different than the self-exposed criticism that Michal had for her husband, King David.
So, I don’t know about you; but I’m going to be more careful and do my best to avoid being hyper-critical with petty selfish attitudes when I question something my ordained and anointed church leaders have executed honestly, in their best and prayed-for decisions, for God’s glory. The ramifications and outcomes of some petty criticism on my part could be personally disastrous; and so, I hope that we all can be more careful with our self-directed critical attitudes expressed to, or about, our anointed church leaders.
My Prayer Today: … Oh, Lord, deliver me from any selfish attitudes which may lead me to be critical of my fellow church leaders, especially my Pastor or fellow Elders. Amen
1st Chronicles, Chapter 17 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 2nd Samuel 6: 14-16; … 20-23 … 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might,15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. ...
…
20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"
21 David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord.22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
============My Journal for Today: Today’s chronological read in both 2nd Sam. 6-7 and 1st Chron. 17 had a lot to take in, especially about the Covenant God made with King David; but it is the highlight section I’ve copied above from 2nd Sam. 6 which was the reading/study segment I believe God has emboldened in my consciousness this morning for my comments.
Here you read of how, when David had the Ark of the Covenant brought into God’s City, Jerusalem, Michal, his wife and formerly Saul’s daughter, criticized her husband, the God-anointed King, for the flamboyant way David danced and worshipped God. David’s worship was, in her opinion, over-the-top and inappropriate; and she was openly vocal with her criticism of her husband; and the ultimate result, as one can read in Verse 23 of 2nd Sam. 6 was a life of childlessness.
Michal was not the only character in the OT who criticized God’s anointed leaders. Take note of a few others: … Miriam, Moses’ sister, mocked her brother and was stricken with leprosy (see Num. 12). … Korah and others led a rebellion against Moses (see Num. 16); and all the rebels were swallowed up by the earth. … Shimei [in 2nd Sam. 17 and 1st Kings 2] cursed and threw stones at David and was executed by Solomon. And there were others as well in the Bible who openly expressed a hyper-critical attitude against God’s anointed leaders; and God dealt with them somehow, in someway, in God’s own timing and will.
The lesson for me today (and maybe for others); … we really need to be careful with our attitude and our criticism of God’s anointed leaders. Have you ever heard someone gossiping or verbally railing against some ordained church leader, … perhaps their own local Pastor or maybe a church Elder or Deacon? I have; and now I know why it makes me feel very uncomfortable … or sometimes even somewhat angry. I hear people being critical about a Pastor’s sermon; … or maybe criticizing the church worship leader’s choice of songs or the loudness of the music; … or maybe railing criticism of some decision the church Elders have made; and I realize now that these trivial critical attitudinal expressions are not that much different than the self-exposed criticism that Michal had for her husband, King David.
So, I don’t know about you; but I’m going to be more careful and do my best to avoid being hyper-critical with petty selfish attitudes when I question something my ordained and anointed church leaders have executed honestly, in their best and prayed-for decisions, for God’s glory. The ramifications and outcomes of some petty criticism on my part could be personally disastrous; and so, I hope that we all can be more careful with our self-directed critical attitudes expressed to, or about, our anointed church leaders.
My Prayer Today: … Oh, Lord, deliver me from any selfish attitudes which may lead me to be critical of my fellow church leaders, especially my Pastor or fellow Elders. Amen
Saturday, May 05, 2012
May 5, 2012 … Following the Faithful
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 89 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 96 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 100 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 101 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 105 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 132 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1: Psalm 101: 1-3, 6 … 1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life — when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. 3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. … 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
My Journal for Today: Reading a whole bunch of the Psalms again this morning in my chronological trek through the Bible. And meditating thru them (linked for you to read separately above), I came on one that emboldened itself in my heart; and that is Psalm 101, a Davidic Psalm that must’ve been written earlier in his reign as King of Israel and Judah. I say this; because the song is one of making a vow to avoid letting his eyes wander to see sinful things (see Verse 3 copied above) and to follow only blameless leaders in his life who could minister to him with their faithfulness.
Well, knowing about David’s later life as King and how he failed miserably in the debacle involving Bathsheba and her husband, Uzziah,… the latter whom David had looked to as a warrior confident and friend in battle, … we know that David was not able to live up to this vow of purity and righteous living. But that doesn’t mean that David was not, at the point he wrote Psalm 101, making a Godly pledge to follow Godly men into the spiritual battles he knew of as his life at that time.
This psalm meant a lot to me, personally, because I’ve been led by God into a ministry [see www.battleplanministries.org] which calls men out to look away from evil things in our culture/world, just as David pledged he would do in Psalm 101. These days try the souls of Christian men (well, all men), Satan having created a “XXX” world where men of God are surrounded continually by ungodly imagery. As we know, the Internet wreaks of p0rnography; and so many Christian men, as David did later in his Kingship, fall prey to their own lust-ridden hearts when they put themselves in a place to see the tempting images which bombard our world and draw us to the dark side of life.
In Psalm 101, we have David’s God-seeking commitment to guard his eyes, just as Job pronounced in Job 31: 1, … to protect his eyes from viewing other women lustfully. And we know what resulted in David’s life when he let down his guard (i.e. vigilance) and didn’t follow his friend Uzziah into battle as he should have. And we read about David’s repentance from all the sin that followed that breach of character in Psalm 51. And I know, first-hand, what happens when men allow themselves to become Lone-Ranger Christians, thinking that they can go it alone in the battles of everyday life where they are surrounded by a world which is dedicated to bring them down with lust-driven imagery.
If you’re a Christian reading this, make more than a pledge or a vow to do what David sings about in Psalm 101; … take it upon yourself to do what he teaches in verse 6 of this Psalm; and that is to find and follow someone in your life who already “walks-the-walk” of faith and purity. Follow someone like the Apostle Paul, who charged his fellow Christians to follow him … because he knew he was following Christ (see 1st Cor. 11: 1). As David’s later life attests, we’re not strong enough to follow God ALONE. We need to go into battle daily following Christ first, of course; but joining in battle with co-warriors who can help us to keep our eyes on the prize and claim the victory which is already ours … IN CHRIST! (see Phil. 3: 13-14)
My Prayer Today: … Lord, today I go into battle, looking and following You, …but with many other fellow warriors, helping me to keep my eyes on Your path and on the light which shines on my life from Your word. Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 96 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 100 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 101 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 105 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 132 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage #1: Psalm 101: 1-3, 6 … 1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life — when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. 3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. … 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
My Journal for Today: Reading a whole bunch of the Psalms again this morning in my chronological trek through the Bible. And meditating thru them (linked for you to read separately above), I came on one that emboldened itself in my heart; and that is Psalm 101, a Davidic Psalm that must’ve been written earlier in his reign as King of Israel and Judah. I say this; because the song is one of making a vow to avoid letting his eyes wander to see sinful things (see Verse 3 copied above) and to follow only blameless leaders in his life who could minister to him with their faithfulness.
Well, knowing about David’s later life as King and how he failed miserably in the debacle involving Bathsheba and her husband, Uzziah,… the latter whom David had looked to as a warrior confident and friend in battle, … we know that David was not able to live up to this vow of purity and righteous living. But that doesn’t mean that David was not, at the point he wrote Psalm 101, making a Godly pledge to follow Godly men into the spiritual battles he knew of as his life at that time.
This psalm meant a lot to me, personally, because I’ve been led by God into a ministry [see www.battleplanministries.org] which calls men out to look away from evil things in our culture/world, just as David pledged he would do in Psalm 101. These days try the souls of Christian men (well, all men), Satan having created a “XXX” world where men of God are surrounded continually by ungodly imagery. As we know, the Internet wreaks of p0rnography; and so many Christian men, as David did later in his Kingship, fall prey to their own lust-ridden hearts when they put themselves in a place to see the tempting images which bombard our world and draw us to the dark side of life.
In Psalm 101, we have David’s God-seeking commitment to guard his eyes, just as Job pronounced in Job 31: 1, … to protect his eyes from viewing other women lustfully. And we know what resulted in David’s life when he let down his guard (i.e. vigilance) and didn’t follow his friend Uzziah into battle as he should have. And we read about David’s repentance from all the sin that followed that breach of character in Psalm 51. And I know, first-hand, what happens when men allow themselves to become Lone-Ranger Christians, thinking that they can go it alone in the battles of everyday life where they are surrounded by a world which is dedicated to bring them down with lust-driven imagery.
If you’re a Christian reading this, make more than a pledge or a vow to do what David sings about in Psalm 101; … take it upon yourself to do what he teaches in verse 6 of this Psalm; and that is to find and follow someone in your life who already “walks-the-walk” of faith and purity. Follow someone like the Apostle Paul, who charged his fellow Christians to follow him … because he knew he was following Christ (see 1st Cor. 11: 1). As David’s later life attests, we’re not strong enough to follow God ALONE. We need to go into battle daily following Christ first, of course; but joining in battle with co-warriors who can help us to keep our eyes on the prize and claim the victory which is already ours … IN CHRIST! (see Phil. 3: 13-14)
My Prayer Today: … Lord, today I go into battle, looking and following You, …but with many other fellow warriors, helping me to keep my eyes on Your path and on the light which shines on my life from Your word. Amen
Friday, May 04, 2012
May 4, 2012 … God is God and I Am Not!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 1-2 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 15 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 22-24 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 47 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 68 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Today my reading plan has taken me back into a whole bunch of the Psalms, all linked for your reference, reading, study, and meditation, that is, … if you’re reading along with me today. If you want to get to know God, which, as my former mentor used to tell me, should be the #1 goal of all Christians, the Psalms are a good place to go or be. The Psalms help us to get to know our God, quite often in a very personal way, through the minds/hearts of men who authored these songs, … men with needs, fears, wants, and desires just like us; and they express who God has become in their lives or whom He should become for them (and there, by application, for us too).
Today, out of Psalm 1, I see my God honoring a believer who obeys a Father who loves me. In Psalm 2, I read of a Father Who wants me to walk free, following Him, from my own selfish desires and humanity; and it speaks of a Messiah, Who would give me that power. Psalm 15 tells me of a Holy God, Who desires that I live a holy life as my worship of His holiness. Psalm 22 is King David’s amazingly accurate picture of a Messiah dying on a cross for my sins, showing me the ultimate in God’s love for me; and Psalm 23 is that picture of my God as my Shepherd, always watching over me and leading me from the valley of death into the pasture of eternal life. And in Psalm 24 I’m reminded (or relearning) that everything is God’s; and He made it all for me and all His children as the King of Glory. In Psalm 47, I see that I serve a Lord God too awesome for words or description; but He is a Lord who wants me to get to know Him, very personally, and to describe Him to others in my relationship with Him. And finally, Psalm 68 proclaims a God Who saves; and He is the One Who saved me … ME of all his sinner children.
Wow! Is that not a cool and awesome God, … worthy of all our worship, as I wrote about yesterday in this place; from these Psalms and so many other truths about God which I glean from His word every day, I do get to know an infinitely awesome God Whom I’ll never grasp completely but Whom I need to know as deeply as I can. Why?, … well, so that I can be the man my God created … for His glory, as I read and learn about Him in these songs today.
Oh, I stand in awe of my God this day; and I pray that you, having read these songs of His glory, worship Him today with all that we are and all that we can become.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I stand in awe this morning of the glory and holiness of Your presence. May I apprehend Your power in my life to become all You designed of Yourself in me. Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 15 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 22-24 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 47 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 68 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Today my reading plan has taken me back into a whole bunch of the Psalms, all linked for your reference, reading, study, and meditation, that is, … if you’re reading along with me today. If you want to get to know God, which, as my former mentor used to tell me, should be the #1 goal of all Christians, the Psalms are a good place to go or be. The Psalms help us to get to know our God, quite often in a very personal way, through the minds/hearts of men who authored these songs, … men with needs, fears, wants, and desires just like us; and they express who God has become in their lives or whom He should become for them (and there, by application, for us too).
Today, out of Psalm 1, I see my God honoring a believer who obeys a Father who loves me. In Psalm 2, I read of a Father Who wants me to walk free, following Him, from my own selfish desires and humanity; and it speaks of a Messiah, Who would give me that power. Psalm 15 tells me of a Holy God, Who desires that I live a holy life as my worship of His holiness. Psalm 22 is King David’s amazingly accurate picture of a Messiah dying on a cross for my sins, showing me the ultimate in God’s love for me; and Psalm 23 is that picture of my God as my Shepherd, always watching over me and leading me from the valley of death into the pasture of eternal life. And in Psalm 24 I’m reminded (or relearning) that everything is God’s; and He made it all for me and all His children as the King of Glory. In Psalm 47, I see that I serve a Lord God too awesome for words or description; but He is a Lord who wants me to get to know Him, very personally, and to describe Him to others in my relationship with Him. And finally, Psalm 68 proclaims a God Who saves; and He is the One Who saved me … ME of all his sinner children.
Wow! Is that not a cool and awesome God, … worthy of all our worship, as I wrote about yesterday in this place; from these Psalms and so many other truths about God which I glean from His word every day, I do get to know an infinitely awesome God Whom I’ll never grasp completely but Whom I need to know as deeply as I can. Why?, … well, so that I can be the man my God created … for His glory, as I read and learn about Him in these songs today.
Oh, I stand in awe of my God this day; and I pray that you, having read these songs of His glory, worship Him today with all that we are and all that we can become.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I stand in awe this morning of the glory and holiness of Your presence. May I apprehend Your power in my life to become all You designed of Yourself in me. Amen
Thursday, May 03, 2012
May 3, 2012 … Bring the “Ark” of Worship Back Into Our Life
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles, Chapters 13-16 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 1st Chronicles 13: 1-4 … 1 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul." 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
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Highlight Passage #2: … 1st Chronicles 15: 28-29 … 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams' horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps. 29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
My Journal for Today: Today’s chronological read, 1st Chronicles, Chapters 13-16, linked for your study above, means a lot to me personally. After I was drawn out of my worship of self and sin back in 1983, I was led by a God path (long story) to the current local church and body of Christ which is my “home church,” the place where I come for corporate worship on Sundays and the family of God where I join to worship God through my involvement in the worship of service on a daily basis.
King David in the chapters I read today, took note of the fact that the corporate worship of God had become dry and stale during the times of Saul; and David was led to reinstitute exciting and joyful worship of God among God’s people. To do this, he brought back the Ark of the Covenant from where it had been stored back to Jerusalem, the “City of David.” He built a beautiful place for the people to receive and cherish the Ark; and when they brought the Ark into the city, David showed how excited he was to have a special place where he and God’s people could COME TOGETHER to worship God … just as God had desired it when the Ark was built by Moses and place in a Tabernacle for the people to worship God in their lives everyday … anytime their hearts so desired.
My friend, do you have a place in your heart which is reserved for worship? Has the “Ark of God’s New Covenant” been brought into your special place of personal worship so that you can worship our Lord everyday and in every way with your 24/7 devotion to our Lord?
Are you as excited about your life of worship as you could be … or should be? I can remember a time when worship was dull and dreary for me, almost lifeless. In fact when I saw people raising their hands and even shedding tears of joy during a Sunday morning service as they sang songs of praise in our church; or when I saw people get down on their knees to pray, many times sobbing with joy because of their expressions of worship to God, … it all just was embarrassing to me … just as it apparently was for Michal, David’s wife, when King David danced for joy when the Ark was brought back into Jerusalem [see 1st Chronicles 15: 29 above].
What I’m saying here is that we need to bring back the “Ark of Worship” into our lives and have a joyful and excitement in worshipping our Lord every day of our lives. Years ago, a spiritual mentor of mine helped me to bring the “Ark” of worship into my heart when he shepherded me to bring God’s word into my life with a more disciplined and daily pursuit of the “Ark” of God’s word. And when I brought God’s word into my life as part of MY personal and daily worship life, God showed me the joy that comes from pursuing Him through His truth; and my worship life became exponentially more exciting.
Now, … when I come together with God’s people to worship on a Sunday, I’m there to worship, not to just be doing the “church-thing” on Sunday mornings. When I come to this quiet place each morning – where I am right now - to pray, to listen to praise music, and to immerse myself in God’s word, I experience the joy of my salvation, just like David must have when he brought the Ark of God’s Covenant back into the City of God.
Oh, how I hope that you have a rich, … joyful, … and fruitful life of worship, my dear one. Life becomes so much more meaningful and exciting when it is a life of worship and not just a life of being seen as a “christian.” Let me pray that exactly that for you and for me.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help anyone who reads here with me to bring back Your Ark of Covenant worship into our lives so that we can worship You with all we think, say, and do. Amen
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Highlight Passage: … 1st Chronicles 13: 1-4 … 1 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul." 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
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Highlight Passage #2: … 1st Chronicles 15: 28-29 … 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams' horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps. 29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
My Journal for Today: Today’s chronological read, 1st Chronicles, Chapters 13-16, linked for your study above, means a lot to me personally. After I was drawn out of my worship of self and sin back in 1983, I was led by a God path (long story) to the current local church and body of Christ which is my “home church,” the place where I come for corporate worship on Sundays and the family of God where I join to worship God through my involvement in the worship of service on a daily basis.
King David in the chapters I read today, took note of the fact that the corporate worship of God had become dry and stale during the times of Saul; and David was led to reinstitute exciting and joyful worship of God among God’s people. To do this, he brought back the Ark of the Covenant from where it had been stored back to Jerusalem, the “City of David.” He built a beautiful place for the people to receive and cherish the Ark; and when they brought the Ark into the city, David showed how excited he was to have a special place where he and God’s people could COME TOGETHER to worship God … just as God had desired it when the Ark was built by Moses and place in a Tabernacle for the people to worship God in their lives everyday … anytime their hearts so desired.
My friend, do you have a place in your heart which is reserved for worship? Has the “Ark of God’s New Covenant” been brought into your special place of personal worship so that you can worship our Lord everyday and in every way with your 24/7 devotion to our Lord?
Are you as excited about your life of worship as you could be … or should be? I can remember a time when worship was dull and dreary for me, almost lifeless. In fact when I saw people raising their hands and even shedding tears of joy during a Sunday morning service as they sang songs of praise in our church; or when I saw people get down on their knees to pray, many times sobbing with joy because of their expressions of worship to God, … it all just was embarrassing to me … just as it apparently was for Michal, David’s wife, when King David danced for joy when the Ark was brought back into Jerusalem [see 1st Chronicles 15: 29 above].
What I’m saying here is that we need to bring back the “Ark of Worship” into our lives and have a joyful and excitement in worshipping our Lord every day of our lives. Years ago, a spiritual mentor of mine helped me to bring the “Ark” of worship into my heart when he shepherded me to bring God’s word into my life with a more disciplined and daily pursuit of the “Ark” of God’s word. And when I brought God’s word into my life as part of MY personal and daily worship life, God showed me the joy that comes from pursuing Him through His truth; and my worship life became exponentially more exciting.
Now, … when I come together with God’s people to worship on a Sunday, I’m there to worship, not to just be doing the “church-thing” on Sunday mornings. When I come to this quiet place each morning – where I am right now - to pray, to listen to praise music, and to immerse myself in God’s word, I experience the joy of my salvation, just like David must have when he brought the Ark of God’s Covenant back into the City of God.
Oh, how I hope that you have a rich, … joyful, … and fruitful life of worship, my dear one. Life becomes so much more meaningful and exciting when it is a life of worship and not just a life of being seen as a “christian.” Let me pray that exactly that for you and for me.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help anyone who reads here with me to bring back Your Ark of Covenant worship into our lives so that we can worship You with all we think, say, and do. Amen
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
May 2, 2012 … God's Love Endures Forever!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 106-107 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage of the Day [NIV]: … Psalm 106: 13-15 … 13 But they [God’s people wandering in the wilderness] soon forgot what He [God] had done and did not wait for His plan to unfold. 14 In the desert they gave in to their craving; … in the wilderness they put God to the test. 15 So He gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them.
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Highlight Passage of the Day #2 [NIV]: … Psalm 106: verses 40-end … Read/study from the link to Psalm 106 above
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Highlight Passage of the Day #3 [NIV]: … Psalm 107: 1-2 … 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. … 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, ...
My Journal for Today: My chronological Bible reading plan has me in Psalms 106 and 107 this morning; and I’m most convicted to share a witness, … as to where God has led me in my life. I hope you take the time to read/meditate through these two psalms by anonymous authorship, telling of how God had to let His people have their own way for a long period of their history, leading them through their trek in the wilderness and even into captivity by the Babylonians so that they could see their own brokenness, repent, and come back to God.
And after reading about a lot of that history in Psalm 106, the Israelite believers, in first two verses of Psalm 107, are exhorted to proclaim and declare their stories of deliverance and redemption. And that is what I feel led to do here this morning; but it would take a book for me share all the times when I was led through the wilderness of sin in my life until I recognized how broken I was and just how much I needed a Savior, … a Messiah to deliver me … just as the Lord has done for His people in the incarnation of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Just as God’s chosen, the Israelites, I wandered for years in my sin and selfishness; but also like those who’ve come to see Christ as the Messiah, I was pursued and redeemed by the Lamb of God, Who died on the cross for my sins (and the sins of His People, Israel). God, the Father, never left His sinners in the wilderness or in captivity. No, He has redeemed them in His Son, Jesus, the Christ; and anyone who has come to believe in Christ, repented of their sin, and now lives the redeemed life in Christ, must find great blessing in reading and meditating through these two Psalms.
And, as one of those redeemed believers is instructed in Psalm 107: 1-2, I give thanks to my Lord for His saving and sanctifying grace; and I give a witness that His love endures forever!! And I pray that any who read this can and will do the same.
My Prayer Today: … Oh, YES, Lord! Your love endures FOREVER!!! Amen
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Highlight Passage of the Day [NIV]: … Psalm 106: 13-15 … 13 But they [God’s people wandering in the wilderness] soon forgot what He [God] had done and did not wait for His plan to unfold. 14 In the desert they gave in to their craving; … in the wilderness they put God to the test. 15 So He gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them.
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Highlight Passage of the Day #2 [NIV]: … Psalm 106: verses 40-end … Read/study from the link to Psalm 106 above
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Highlight Passage of the Day #3 [NIV]: … Psalm 107: 1-2 … 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. … 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, ...
My Journal for Today: My chronological Bible reading plan has me in Psalms 106 and 107 this morning; and I’m most convicted to share a witness, … as to where God has led me in my life. I hope you take the time to read/meditate through these two psalms by anonymous authorship, telling of how God had to let His people have their own way for a long period of their history, leading them through their trek in the wilderness and even into captivity by the Babylonians so that they could see their own brokenness, repent, and come back to God.
And after reading about a lot of that history in Psalm 106, the Israelite believers, in first two verses of Psalm 107, are exhorted to proclaim and declare their stories of deliverance and redemption. And that is what I feel led to do here this morning; but it would take a book for me share all the times when I was led through the wilderness of sin in my life until I recognized how broken I was and just how much I needed a Savior, … a Messiah to deliver me … just as the Lord has done for His people in the incarnation of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Just as God’s chosen, the Israelites, I wandered for years in my sin and selfishness; but also like those who’ve come to see Christ as the Messiah, I was pursued and redeemed by the Lamb of God, Who died on the cross for my sins (and the sins of His People, Israel). God, the Father, never left His sinners in the wilderness or in captivity. No, He has redeemed them in His Son, Jesus, the Christ; and anyone who has come to believe in Christ, repented of their sin, and now lives the redeemed life in Christ, must find great blessing in reading and meditating through these two Psalms.
And, as one of those redeemed believers is instructed in Psalm 107: 1-2, I give thanks to my Lord for His saving and sanctifying grace; and I give a witness that His love endures forever!! And I pray that any who read this can and will do the same.
My Prayer Today: … Oh, YES, Lord! Your love endures FOREVER!!! Amen
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
May 1, 2012 … Relational Unity …
Chronological Passage of the Day [NIV]: … Psalm 133 … 1 How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Chronological Passage of the Day [MSG]: … Psalm 133 … 1-3 How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It's like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, flowing down Aaron's beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It's like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that's where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.
My Journal for Today: Today, for reasons I cannot grasp, the editors of the Chronological Reading Plan online from YouVersion.com have decided to have the readers focus on only one Psalm … Psalm 133, a song King David wrote reflecting on the peace and joy he observed when God’s people get along and are working in unity, first with God’s purpose (i.e., vertical, spiritual unity) and then with one another as God’s chosen people (i.e., horizontal, personal unity).
Here’s what my Parsons Commentary writes, reflecting on this Psalm 133: " David stated that unity is pleasant and precious. Unfortunately, unity is not always found in the church, as it should be. People disagree and cause division over unimportant issues. Some delight in causing tension by discrediting others. Unity [in the church] is important because (1) it makes the church a positive example to the world and helps draw others to the Lord; (2) it helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven; (3) it renews and revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy."
What the Parsons commentary brings out is very pertinent and practical, isn’t it? Have you ever been on a committee or task group where the group could not come together in unity of purpose? In such a situation there is no joy in working, no peace of purpose. There is only relational turmoil where members of the group exercise their egos and try to wrestle for personal control. And such a group will never be able to accomplish the purpose for which they’re charged if they do not have a vertically, agree-upon purpose, and a horizontally-determination desire to work together to accomplish their charged purpose.
Think about THE CHURCH, which is God’s gathering of His New Covenant peoples to accomplish His charged purpose – the Great Commission (see Matthew 28: 19-20). And as God might likely reflect through a paraphrase of David’s song, quoted above, ... "How wonderful and beautiful it is when the church comes together in unity to pour forth the love of God, flowing down from above, like rivers of living water, cascading refreshingly from above into the lives of all who would thirst and drink of the life-giving essence of Christ’s living waters.”
Maybe I wax a bit poetic here. But David beautifully pictured the unity of God’s people as being like the waters which come down from the highest point in the Holy Land, … Mount Hermon. And they flow downward into the Jordan River, which moves through Israel, providing the life-giving waters to today’s Holy Land as well as to the promised-land to God’s people in the days of David. But David’s word picture, if taken in the negative, would imply that the waters cannot flow adequately, providing life and purpose, when they become dried up by disunity. In other words, God’s love cannot flow horizontally outward from God’s people unless it flows from a unity of purpose from God’s vertical provision of His life-giving waters.
Certainly the application for God’s people – and that’s you and me, my dear ones – is for us to provide God’s life-giving love, flowing from our vertical relationship with God; and to do this, we must come together in unity to allow those waters to move outward into the lives of others, giving them the sustenance from God’s love.
When we, who are charged to be in unity to let God’s love pour forth, cannot work together for God’s purposes, or we live in selfish disobedience of God’s will, the life-giving and life-sustaining living waters of God’s love cannot come down from above and pour horizontally into the lives of others.
And what does this mean? It means that we cannot experience the joy and peace David wrote about in Psalm 133 when we – God’s people – cannot come together in unity. And unfortunately, I think we see far too much of that discord and inability to carry out God’s Great Commission because there is far too much disunity within the Body of Christ.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to be a vessel of Your living waters of love by promoting unity within Your Body and by letting Your love flow downward from You and outward into the lives of others. Amen
Chronological Passage of the Day [MSG]: … Psalm 133 … 1-3 How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It's like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, flowing down Aaron's beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It's like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that's where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.
My Journal for Today: Today, for reasons I cannot grasp, the editors of the Chronological Reading Plan online from YouVersion.com have decided to have the readers focus on only one Psalm … Psalm 133, a song King David wrote reflecting on the peace and joy he observed when God’s people get along and are working in unity, first with God’s purpose (i.e., vertical, spiritual unity) and then with one another as God’s chosen people (i.e., horizontal, personal unity).
Here’s what my Parsons Commentary writes, reflecting on this Psalm 133: " David stated that unity is pleasant and precious. Unfortunately, unity is not always found in the church, as it should be. People disagree and cause division over unimportant issues. Some delight in causing tension by discrediting others. Unity [in the church] is important because (1) it makes the church a positive example to the world and helps draw others to the Lord; (2) it helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven; (3) it renews and revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy."
What the Parsons commentary brings out is very pertinent and practical, isn’t it? Have you ever been on a committee or task group where the group could not come together in unity of purpose? In such a situation there is no joy in working, no peace of purpose. There is only relational turmoil where members of the group exercise their egos and try to wrestle for personal control. And such a group will never be able to accomplish the purpose for which they’re charged if they do not have a vertically, agree-upon purpose, and a horizontally-determination desire to work together to accomplish their charged purpose.
Think about THE CHURCH, which is God’s gathering of His New Covenant peoples to accomplish His charged purpose – the Great Commission (see Matthew 28: 19-20). And as God might likely reflect through a paraphrase of David’s song, quoted above, ... "How wonderful and beautiful it is when the church comes together in unity to pour forth the love of God, flowing down from above, like rivers of living water, cascading refreshingly from above into the lives of all who would thirst and drink of the life-giving essence of Christ’s living waters.”
Maybe I wax a bit poetic here. But David beautifully pictured the unity of God’s people as being like the waters which come down from the highest point in the Holy Land, … Mount Hermon. And they flow downward into the Jordan River, which moves through Israel, providing the life-giving waters to today’s Holy Land as well as to the promised-land to God’s people in the days of David. But David’s word picture, if taken in the negative, would imply that the waters cannot flow adequately, providing life and purpose, when they become dried up by disunity. In other words, God’s love cannot flow horizontally outward from God’s people unless it flows from a unity of purpose from God’s vertical provision of His life-giving waters.
Certainly the application for God’s people – and that’s you and me, my dear ones – is for us to provide God’s life-giving love, flowing from our vertical relationship with God; and to do this, we must come together in unity to allow those waters to move outward into the lives of others, giving them the sustenance from God’s love.
When we, who are charged to be in unity to let God’s love pour forth, cannot work together for God’s purposes, or we live in selfish disobedience of God’s will, the life-giving and life-sustaining living waters of God’s love cannot come down from above and pour horizontally into the lives of others.
And what does this mean? It means that we cannot experience the joy and peace David wrote about in Psalm 133 when we – God’s people – cannot come together in unity. And unfortunately, I think we see far too much of that discord and inability to carry out God’s Great Commission because there is far too much disunity within the Body of Christ.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to be a vessel of Your living waters of love by promoting unity within Your Body and by letting Your love flow downward from You and outward into the lives of others. Amen
Monday, April 30, 2012
April 30, 2012 … Waiting on God’s Legacy …
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 5 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Passage of the Day #2: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 11-12 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage of the Day #1: … From 2nd Samuel 5: 1-5 [See also 1st Chronicles 11: 1-3, linked below] … 1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'" 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. ============
Highlight Passage of the Day #2: … Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 11: 1-3 … To study this passage go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Day 121 in my chronological read through the Bible this year; and it’s the last day in April; and today I was essentially led to read the same thing, written into God’s chronicles in the life of King David in two separate books/chapters of our Bible. And it’s of interest to me when the same thing is written into God’s word by two separate author’s, who were compelled by God’s Spirit, to document something in God’s history … for God’s reason and for the legacy of God’s people. When this happens, I think one should take note and see if there’s something God’s people in the 21st century should learn or apply here.
And I think God is telling us about David’s third anointing as King in these two separate places in Scripture to insure that we see David’s patience in allowing God to set the timetable on David’s legacy. Well over 20 years had passed in David’s life from the time he was anointed as Israel’s coming king by Samuel and this time of his third anointing where he became king over all of God’s people, … Israel in the north and Judah in the South. Sometimes it takes a period of time quite longer than we might consider is logical or reasonable for God’s timing in our lives to unfold. David went through an awful lot, over many years of time, before the promise of his legacy of becoming King over ALL of God’s peoples became reality.
Have you ever been in a place in life where you just knew that you were on God’s track; but it just seemed like it was taking a long time for the dream you have had from God to unfold, … maybe longer than you’d like for it to come to reality? Well, I’m right there, … right now. I’m almost 70 years old; and God led me, about 20 years ago, into a ministry to help Christians deal with the onslaught of hypersexuality in our culture. If you’re reading here and you’d like to know more about this ministry, you can GO TO THIS WEBSITE.
Well, my personal dream would be to see many more Christians, especially men, to find their way to freedom from habitual bondage to sexual sin and … i.e., to be able to walk free from these tarpits of sinfulness. However, it seems that God has led me to deal in such spiritual warfare … one man, one life, one marriage, one family at a time, … rather than have me lead this effort by seeing hundreds, if not thousands, freed in my lifetime. The battle ground is world wide; and the warfare is a world-wide social plague; and at times it seems like I’m trying to empty the ocean with a tea cup.
I plod through life, battling as God has led me to battle, … much as David must’ve felt like when he was moving from cave to cave as he battled Saul in those wilderness times. But David – in faith – battled on; and so must I, … knowing that God is leading me in the direction HE has brought me, … for HIS reasons, … in HIS timing, … for HIS glory. Patience may not be the most mature fruit in the fruit basket of Spirit-imparted gifts God has given me as a Christian (see Galatians 5: 22-23); but it is one that the Lord is developing in me by me letting GOD lead me, … again in HIS time and for HIS glory toward HIS legacy. I pray that God is allowing you to move toward YOUR legacy for HIS glory as well. Be patient. It’s worth it!
My Prayer Today: … Lord, oh how I dream for You to be glorified by what YOU lead me toward … even this day. Your timing, Lord … Your timing! Amen
Passage of the Day #2: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 11-12 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage of the Day #1: … From 2nd Samuel 5: 1-5 [See also 1st Chronicles 11: 1-3, linked below] … 1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'" 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. ============
Highlight Passage of the Day #2: … Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles 11: 1-3 … To study this passage go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Day 121 in my chronological read through the Bible this year; and it’s the last day in April; and today I was essentially led to read the same thing, written into God’s chronicles in the life of King David in two separate books/chapters of our Bible. And it’s of interest to me when the same thing is written into God’s word by two separate author’s, who were compelled by God’s Spirit, to document something in God’s history … for God’s reason and for the legacy of God’s people. When this happens, I think one should take note and see if there’s something God’s people in the 21st century should learn or apply here.
And I think God is telling us about David’s third anointing as King in these two separate places in Scripture to insure that we see David’s patience in allowing God to set the timetable on David’s legacy. Well over 20 years had passed in David’s life from the time he was anointed as Israel’s coming king by Samuel and this time of his third anointing where he became king over all of God’s people, … Israel in the north and Judah in the South. Sometimes it takes a period of time quite longer than we might consider is logical or reasonable for God’s timing in our lives to unfold. David went through an awful lot, over many years of time, before the promise of his legacy of becoming King over ALL of God’s peoples became reality.
Have you ever been in a place in life where you just knew that you were on God’s track; but it just seemed like it was taking a long time for the dream you have had from God to unfold, … maybe longer than you’d like for it to come to reality? Well, I’m right there, … right now. I’m almost 70 years old; and God led me, about 20 years ago, into a ministry to help Christians deal with the onslaught of hypersexuality in our culture. If you’re reading here and you’d like to know more about this ministry, you can GO TO THIS WEBSITE.
Well, my personal dream would be to see many more Christians, especially men, to find their way to freedom from habitual bondage to sexual sin and … i.e., to be able to walk free from these tarpits of sinfulness. However, it seems that God has led me to deal in such spiritual warfare … one man, one life, one marriage, one family at a time, … rather than have me lead this effort by seeing hundreds, if not thousands, freed in my lifetime. The battle ground is world wide; and the warfare is a world-wide social plague; and at times it seems like I’m trying to empty the ocean with a tea cup.
I plod through life, battling as God has led me to battle, … much as David must’ve felt like when he was moving from cave to cave as he battled Saul in those wilderness times. But David – in faith – battled on; and so must I, … knowing that God is leading me in the direction HE has brought me, … for HIS reasons, … in HIS timing, … for HIS glory. Patience may not be the most mature fruit in the fruit basket of Spirit-imparted gifts God has given me as a Christian (see Galatians 5: 22-23); but it is one that the Lord is developing in me by me letting GOD lead me, … again in HIS time and for HIS glory toward HIS legacy. I pray that God is allowing you to move toward YOUR legacy for HIS glory as well. Be patient. It’s worth it!
My Prayer Today: … Lord, oh how I dream for You to be glorified by what YOU lead me toward … even this day. Your timing, Lord … Your timing! Amen
Sunday, April 29, 2012
April 29, 2012 … Count Your Blessings
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 102-104 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage of the Day: … From Psalm 102: 1-3 ... Hear my prayer, O LORD, … And let my cry come to You. 2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; … Incline Your ear to me; … In the day that I call, answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, … And my bones are burned like a hearth.
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Highlight Passage of the Day #2: … From Psalm 103: 1-2 ... Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! … 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, … And forget not all His benefits.
My Journal for Today: Today in day 120 of my chronological Bible read, it’s back to the Old Testament Song book, the Psalms, … more specifically Psalms 102-104, which I’d charge any reader along with me today to take in from the link above. And when you do, I think you’ll be impressed, as I was, with the attitude of the psalmists (anonymous in Psalms 102 & 104 and King David for Psalm 103). And right at the outset of Psalm 102, verse 2b is one of my favorite images in the Psalms. You read it above in the English NIV version; and it pleads to God in a prayer from someone in a bad place, “… incline Your ear [Lord] to me.”
If you do a little Hebrew study on that phrase, the word “incline” in this context is the Hebrew word “natah,” which pleads for someone to “bend down” … so that that person can hear a weakened one with a desperate plea. And that is the context of Psalm 102, … a person who is really down, … maybe physically, … maybe emotionally, … maybe spiritually, … maybe all three; but it is someone who has a weakened voice and needs for God to bend down so that He can hear the desperate plea of His weakened child.
Have you ever been there, my friend, … way down and weakened and you need for God to bend down, i.e., to incline His ear, to hear you? I have; and it’s a tough place to be. But in the next Psalm, number 103, David has a prescription which is a fool proof attitude shifter when one is way down and needs to be lifted up; and you read that very well know lifter-upper in the first few verses of Psalm 103, which are copied above. And if you read that, you may be, as I was this morning, led to translate that Davidic encouragement into the words of a famous old Irving Berlin song, ”Count Your Blessings.”
Maybe you’re not old enough to remember that song; but I am. I remember seeing it in the old movie, White Christmas, in the mid 50s sung by Bing Crosby. If you want to hear it, click on this link . It’s a great old song with a solid prescription for any down place in life. If you’re worried … stressed out … or down-and-out, just “Count Your Blessings,” as the Psalmist David did in Psalm 103 … and another anonymous psalmist did in Psalm 104 as well.
David, in consciously remembering and singing about the greatness of God and all the Lord had down for God’s people, was able to take his focus off any of any worldly stresses and focus on the truth that God is always there for God’s people with the hope of the Messiah on the horizon. And we, here-and-now Christians, have the advantage that we have the reality of the already come Messiah whom we know has come to save us and will come to give us the hope of eternity. How blessed is that to take us out of the doldrums of life’s problems, counting our blessings as the old crooner sings in the movie White Christmas?
I hope you can count your blessings, my friends, just as the psalmists did in Psalms 103 and 104, and just as Bing Crosby sings in the old Irving Berlin song. And when we do, we can be lifted up by the hope of the One Who will always bend down to hear us when we’re down, … lifting us up with the Hope, Who is Christ.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You do bend down to hear me when I’m down and need to be lifted up; and You are always there, providing me with the hope of eternity. Amen
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Highlight Passage of the Day: … From Psalm 102: 1-3 ... Hear my prayer, O LORD, … And let my cry come to You. 2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; … Incline Your ear to me; … In the day that I call, answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, … And my bones are burned like a hearth.
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Highlight Passage of the Day #2: … From Psalm 103: 1-2 ... Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! … 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, … And forget not all His benefits.
My Journal for Today: Today in day 120 of my chronological Bible read, it’s back to the Old Testament Song book, the Psalms, … more specifically Psalms 102-104, which I’d charge any reader along with me today to take in from the link above. And when you do, I think you’ll be impressed, as I was, with the attitude of the psalmists (anonymous in Psalms 102 & 104 and King David for Psalm 103). And right at the outset of Psalm 102, verse 2b is one of my favorite images in the Psalms. You read it above in the English NIV version; and it pleads to God in a prayer from someone in a bad place, “… incline Your ear [Lord] to me.”
If you do a little Hebrew study on that phrase, the word “incline” in this context is the Hebrew word “natah,” which pleads for someone to “bend down” … so that that person can hear a weakened one with a desperate plea. And that is the context of Psalm 102, … a person who is really down, … maybe physically, … maybe emotionally, … maybe spiritually, … maybe all three; but it is someone who has a weakened voice and needs for God to bend down so that He can hear the desperate plea of His weakened child.
Have you ever been there, my friend, … way down and weakened and you need for God to bend down, i.e., to incline His ear, to hear you? I have; and it’s a tough place to be. But in the next Psalm, number 103, David has a prescription which is a fool proof attitude shifter when one is way down and needs to be lifted up; and you read that very well know lifter-upper in the first few verses of Psalm 103, which are copied above. And if you read that, you may be, as I was this morning, led to translate that Davidic encouragement into the words of a famous old Irving Berlin song, ”Count Your Blessings.”
Maybe you’re not old enough to remember that song; but I am. I remember seeing it in the old movie, White Christmas, in the mid 50s sung by Bing Crosby. If you want to hear it, click on this link . It’s a great old song with a solid prescription for any down place in life. If you’re worried … stressed out … or down-and-out, just “Count Your Blessings,” as the Psalmist David did in Psalm 103 … and another anonymous psalmist did in Psalm 104 as well.
David, in consciously remembering and singing about the greatness of God and all the Lord had down for God’s people, was able to take his focus off any of any worldly stresses and focus on the truth that God is always there for God’s people with the hope of the Messiah on the horizon. And we, here-and-now Christians, have the advantage that we have the reality of the already come Messiah whom we know has come to save us and will come to give us the hope of eternity. How blessed is that to take us out of the doldrums of life’s problems, counting our blessings as the old crooner sings in the movie White Christmas?
I hope you can count your blessings, my friends, just as the psalmists did in Psalms 103 and 104, and just as Bing Crosby sings in the old Irving Berlin song. And when we do, we can be lifted up by the hope of the One Who will always bend down to hear us when we’re down, … lifting us up with the Hope, Who is Christ.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You do bend down to hear me when I’m down and need to be lifted up; and You are always there, providing me with the hope of eternity. Amen
Saturday, April 28, 2012
April 24, 2012 … Moving On WITH God
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles, Chapters 7-10 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage in NIV: … 1st Chronicles 10: 13-14 ... 13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
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Highlight Passage in NKJV: … 1st Chronicles 10: 13-14 ... 13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
My Journal for Today: Today in my chronological Bible reading session I come to the end of the chronicles of God’s people from Adam all the way to the remnant of Israel who came back to Jerusalem after God’s people were exiled into Babylon. And in 1st Chronicles, Chapter 10 [hopefully you have read from the link above], we have the transition of Saul’s reign, after his suicide in defeat at the hands of the Philistines, to King David. And right at the end of 1st Chronicles 10, in verses 13-14, we have a most interesting and biblically (i.e., theologically) packed two verses. If you’re reading along with me, please take the time to read and meditate on these verses, copied above for your study in two Bible versions.
First, no matter what English translation of the ancient Hebrew, concerning these two verses, one reads [and I took in several this AM in my study – see NIV and NKJV above], it clearly indicates that Saul’s death (i.e., his suicide) was attributable to his unfaithfulness to God and even was fashioned by God for God’s purposes. This is a hard word, especially for those who’ve lost a loved one due to suicide. And I’m not going to get into a discussion about that issue directly here in my journaling today. However, it’s clear, with regard to Saul, that God was directly involved with Saul’s death after Saul had consciously and chronically rejected God’s anointing in his life.
And in terms of personal application, it raises the question, at least to me, “Am I living a Proverbs 3: 5-6 life, or one that conforms to Jesus’ command of His disciples to deny self and follow Him and only Him (see Luke 9: 23)?” Because, if I am not so living, I’m no better than Saul, who was a believer in the God of Abraham, the same God Whom I worship. I’d like to think – and I pray so – that I’m more like David, even with his sinful failures, as a “man after God’s heart,” rather than being a Saul, who could not – or rather WOULD NOT – surrender his will to God’s.
So, as we move in transition in 1st Chronicles in my daily chronological Bible reading, I will pray here that I am given God’s mercy, grace, and favor, as was David, to grow into a man after God’s own heart, … rather than becoming a Saul, who could not set aside his pride and simply and humbly follow his Lord.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, … You are my LORD! And I pray this day to become the man You would have me be; … more like You today than yesterday; and more like You tomorrow than today. Amen
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Highlight Passage in NIV: … 1st Chronicles 10: 13-14 ... 13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
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Highlight Passage in NKJV: … 1st Chronicles 10: 13-14 ... 13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
My Journal for Today: Today in my chronological Bible reading session I come to the end of the chronicles of God’s people from Adam all the way to the remnant of Israel who came back to Jerusalem after God’s people were exiled into Babylon. And in 1st Chronicles, Chapter 10 [hopefully you have read from the link above], we have the transition of Saul’s reign, after his suicide in defeat at the hands of the Philistines, to King David. And right at the end of 1st Chronicles 10, in verses 13-14, we have a most interesting and biblically (i.e., theologically) packed two verses. If you’re reading along with me, please take the time to read and meditate on these verses, copied above for your study in two Bible versions.
First, no matter what English translation of the ancient Hebrew, concerning these two verses, one reads [and I took in several this AM in my study – see NIV and NKJV above], it clearly indicates that Saul’s death (i.e., his suicide) was attributable to his unfaithfulness to God and even was fashioned by God for God’s purposes. This is a hard word, especially for those who’ve lost a loved one due to suicide. And I’m not going to get into a discussion about that issue directly here in my journaling today. However, it’s clear, with regard to Saul, that God was directly involved with Saul’s death after Saul had consciously and chronically rejected God’s anointing in his life.
And in terms of personal application, it raises the question, at least to me, “Am I living a Proverbs 3: 5-6 life, or one that conforms to Jesus’ command of His disciples to deny self and follow Him and only Him (see Luke 9: 23)?” Because, if I am not so living, I’m no better than Saul, who was a believer in the God of Abraham, the same God Whom I worship. I’d like to think – and I pray so – that I’m more like David, even with his sinful failures, as a “man after God’s heart,” rather than being a Saul, who could not – or rather WOULD NOT – surrender his will to God’s.
So, as we move in transition in 1st Chronicles in my daily chronological Bible reading, I will pray here that I am given God’s mercy, grace, and favor, as was David, to grow into a man after God’s own heart, … rather than becoming a Saul, who could not set aside his pride and simply and humbly follow his Lord.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, … You are my LORD! And I pray this day to become the man You would have me be; … more like You today than yesterday; and more like You tomorrow than today. Amen
Friday, April 27, 2012
April 17, 2012 … God’s Holiness Found In His Word
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 81 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 88 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 92 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 93 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 93: 5 ... Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns Your house for endless days.
My Journal for Today: After having read through the four Psalms in today’s chronological reading segment, I came to the last verse of the last Psalm [#93]; and it almost jumped off the page for me. These five songs were written by Asaph and at least one other of the post-Babylonian court for God’s people to worship their Lord, … during celebrations and other times of corporate worship. And these songs are not all that different from those which we use in today’s, contemporary, worship services to promote our worship connection with a Holy God Who wants us to come into His presence with our gathering to worship Him, … the One Who is all holiness and worthy of our praise.
I don’t know about you, but I’m lifted out of myself – OFTEN – when our church comes together on Sunday mornings, gathering in corporate worship of the living Lord. And in this time, the music helps to bring me out of my self and into the presence of a HOLY GOD. And often in these journal entries in the past, you’ve read of me referring to links to worship music which helps me in my own, personal worship times (each morning) as I use such music to help me be in the presence of God’s holiness.
But, this last verse in Psalm 93 also reminds me that being in the presence of God’s word, i.e., His HOLY Word, is also how I make connection with His holiness. Note what the anonymous author of Psalm 93, in verse 5 pens as one of the main ways that we can move ourselves, as sinners, into a right – and Holy – relationship with God; and that is by being in His word, which is an eternal signpost to God’s manifest holiness.
Let me put several versions of this same scripture here for you to read aloud, as I have this morning, and to meditate on this truth:
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Again, note the NIV: … Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns Your house for endless days.
From the NKJV: Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever. From the MSG: What You say goes—it always has. "Beauty" and "Holy" mark your palace rule, GOD, to the very end of time..
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Now, … I don’t know about you; but it is uplifting to read and realize that when I choose to get into God’s word each day, I am choosing to put myself into the presence and the power of God’s holiness, … i.e., to experience God’s very cleansing holiness, which emanates from His word (or as the Psalmist declares in other versions, God’s “testimonies”). Doesn’t that make you want to do all you can to insure that you will come to God’s temple (i.e., our heart), as I have on this day, and to willingly and longingly go into the presence of God’s Holiness by diving headlong into God’s HOLY word?
It does that for me; and I pray that it does so for you.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I relish being in the presence of Your Holiness by being in Your word. Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 88 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 92 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 93 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 93: 5 ... Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns Your house for endless days.
My Journal for Today: After having read through the four Psalms in today’s chronological reading segment, I came to the last verse of the last Psalm [#93]; and it almost jumped off the page for me. These five songs were written by Asaph and at least one other of the post-Babylonian court for God’s people to worship their Lord, … during celebrations and other times of corporate worship. And these songs are not all that different from those which we use in today’s, contemporary, worship services to promote our worship connection with a Holy God Who wants us to come into His presence with our gathering to worship Him, … the One Who is all holiness and worthy of our praise.
I don’t know about you, but I’m lifted out of myself – OFTEN – when our church comes together on Sunday mornings, gathering in corporate worship of the living Lord. And in this time, the music helps to bring me out of my self and into the presence of a HOLY GOD. And often in these journal entries in the past, you’ve read of me referring to links to worship music which helps me in my own, personal worship times (each morning) as I use such music to help me be in the presence of God’s holiness.
But, this last verse in Psalm 93 also reminds me that being in the presence of God’s word, i.e., His HOLY Word, is also how I make connection with His holiness. Note what the anonymous author of Psalm 93, in verse 5 pens as one of the main ways that we can move ourselves, as sinners, into a right – and Holy – relationship with God; and that is by being in His word, which is an eternal signpost to God’s manifest holiness.
Let me put several versions of this same scripture here for you to read aloud, as I have this morning, and to meditate on this truth:
==============
Again, note the NIV: … Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns Your house for endless days.
From the NKJV: Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever. From the MSG: What You say goes—it always has. "Beauty" and "Holy" mark your palace rule, GOD, to the very end of time..
===============
Now, … I don’t know about you; but it is uplifting to read and realize that when I choose to get into God’s word each day, I am choosing to put myself into the presence and the power of God’s holiness, … i.e., to experience God’s very cleansing holiness, which emanates from His word (or as the Psalmist declares in other versions, God’s “testimonies”). Doesn’t that make you want to do all you can to insure that you will come to God’s temple (i.e., our heart), as I have on this day, and to willingly and longingly go into the presence of God’s Holiness by diving headlong into God’s HOLY word?
It does that for me; and I pray that it does so for you.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I relish being in the presence of Your Holiness by being in Your word. Amen
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 26, 2012 … Common Men Do Uncommon Work for God
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles, Chapters 6 … To study this chapter, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 1st Chronicles 6: 49 ... But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
My Journal for Today: Today I was read “only” Chapter 6 in 1st Chronicles, which seemed like an easy assignment in my chronological Bible reading for this date; but getting into this chapter, as I’d charge you, who’re following along, to do as well, … one finds a chronicle of some critical and heavy-duty men whom God chose to carry out some very critical and out-there duties for God’s chosen people. Consider these: Moses, … Aaron, and … Samuel. And when one sees their names being listed in this heritage-listing of God’s people, it’s sort of like reading a “who’s who” of leadership in Israel when the nation of God’s children was formed.
But when one – like me – looks closer, though these men are giants in the pantheon of God’s book of faith, they are still just common men who were chosen to carry out their own uncommon calling in God’s kingdom. And when you really look at them, these men were not all that special when God called them out. Moses was a shepherd in the wilderness lands of Canaan. Aaron just happened to be a brother who was extremely loyal to Moses. And Samuel was just a child of promise. But look where God led them when they became surrendered and obedient to their Lord.
And that’s my point of application today. I am certainly not anything special as a man in God’s kingdom; but I need to realize that I am something special when I remember that God sent His only Son to save me from my self. And the Lord of all led me through all kinds of desserts of sinfulness to finally call me out for service in His kingdom. And like some of these men in 1st Chronicles 6, I have surrendered to do service in obedience to my Lord’s calling. So, though I may not be anything special in the eyes of mankind – and certainly not in my own eyes, I am something special to God and His kingdom.
And so are you, my dear one! Because if you’ve surrendered yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; and you believe God has a purpose (i.e., a calling) for your life (which, of course, He does!), whatever you are doing within that calling, for the kingdom of God, is special in God’s eyes … just as special as a Moses leading God’s people across the sea in deliverance from Pharaoh, … or Aaron being a God’s priest, … or Samuel standing for God as His Prophet.
When any of us – just common folks in the family of God – are doing, OBEDIENTLY, what God has called us to do; and we’re doing it to the best of our abilities in the kingdom of God, WE ARE SPECIAL in God’s eyes! No, we may not be big names in the chronicles of God’s kingdom, like those listed in 1st Chronicles 6. OR … we may not have a big name in today’s kingdom chronicles, maybe names like a Billy Graham or a prominent name in your church, like that of your Pastor. But anyone who is doing what God called him or her to do for His glory is a common person making a BIG NAME for himself or herself in God’s kingdom book of service.
So, this meditation today has spoken loudly to me to just keep on, keeping on, doing what God has called me to do … day after day after day after day … for God’s glory.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You called me to serve; and I will serve you today. Amen
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Highlight Passage: … 1st Chronicles 6: 49 ... But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
My Journal for Today: Today I was read “only” Chapter 6 in 1st Chronicles, which seemed like an easy assignment in my chronological Bible reading for this date; but getting into this chapter, as I’d charge you, who’re following along, to do as well, … one finds a chronicle of some critical and heavy-duty men whom God chose to carry out some very critical and out-there duties for God’s chosen people. Consider these: Moses, … Aaron, and … Samuel. And when one sees their names being listed in this heritage-listing of God’s people, it’s sort of like reading a “who’s who” of leadership in Israel when the nation of God’s children was formed.
But when one – like me – looks closer, though these men are giants in the pantheon of God’s book of faith, they are still just common men who were chosen to carry out their own uncommon calling in God’s kingdom. And when you really look at them, these men were not all that special when God called them out. Moses was a shepherd in the wilderness lands of Canaan. Aaron just happened to be a brother who was extremely loyal to Moses. And Samuel was just a child of promise. But look where God led them when they became surrendered and obedient to their Lord.
And that’s my point of application today. I am certainly not anything special as a man in God’s kingdom; but I need to realize that I am something special when I remember that God sent His only Son to save me from my self. And the Lord of all led me through all kinds of desserts of sinfulness to finally call me out for service in His kingdom. And like some of these men in 1st Chronicles 6, I have surrendered to do service in obedience to my Lord’s calling. So, though I may not be anything special in the eyes of mankind – and certainly not in my own eyes, I am something special to God and His kingdom.
And so are you, my dear one! Because if you’ve surrendered yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; and you believe God has a purpose (i.e., a calling) for your life (which, of course, He does!), whatever you are doing within that calling, for the kingdom of God, is special in God’s eyes … just as special as a Moses leading God’s people across the sea in deliverance from Pharaoh, … or Aaron being a God’s priest, … or Samuel standing for God as His Prophet.
When any of us – just common folks in the family of God – are doing, OBEDIENTLY, what God has called us to do; and we’re doing it to the best of our abilities in the kingdom of God, WE ARE SPECIAL in God’s eyes! No, we may not be big names in the chronicles of God’s kingdom, like those listed in 1st Chronicles 6. OR … we may not have a big name in today’s kingdom chronicles, maybe names like a Billy Graham or a prominent name in your church, like that of your Pastor. But anyone who is doing what God called him or her to do for His glory is a common person making a BIG NAME for himself or herself in God’s kingdom book of service.
So, this meditation today has spoken loudly to me to just keep on, keeping on, doing what God has called me to do … day after day after day after day … for God’s glory.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You called me to serve; and I will serve you today. Amen
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012 … How Great Is Our God
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 17 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 35 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 54 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Video of the Day #1: Chris Tomlin sings How Great Is Our God … For your personal worship … go to this link -
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Highlight Video of the Day #2: Carrie Underwood sings and Vince Gill plays How Great Thou Art … For your personal worship … go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Oh, my dear following reader and fellow Christian (oh, how I pray that is so!), … the tears are rolling down my cheeks from my devotional time this morning. And a lot of that has to do with the reality that I just listened to – and am re-listening as I write this – the wonderful, live version of Chris Tomlin singing his glorious praise song, How Great Is Our God, which came to my mind today as I read through my chronological Bible read in Psalms 73, 77, and 78 today, all Psalms either written or compiled by King David’s song leader, Asaph.
And if you’re reading and meditating along with me here, may I suggest that you use the link above and with your computer audio volume turned up a bit, to go to the You Tube video of this resounding Tomlin praise song. If you do, I believe it will set your heart right before (and maybe during) your read of these three Psalms. Then, if you really want to explode with worship and joy after reading these three Asaph psalms, go to the second You Tube link above and hear (and see) Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill sing the great old hymn, How Great Thou Art.
And when you do this, as I have this morning, as you read through the Psalms compiled by Asaph, in this morning’s read, you’ll understand why David’s song leader was motivated to compile (or write) these songs to help the people of Israel in David’s day remember and worship their God for all He had done for His people. Psalm 78, for example (linked above), is a rather long song of remembrance for all God had done from the times of Moses until the Lord anointed David as the leader of God’s people. And though music and song are only a small part of what our worship of God is and should be, it can, as I believe Asaph and David knew, enhance our very personal and genuine worship of the One and Only Living God.
I hope (and will pray below) that we all worship our Lord with our 24/7 life of choices and actions, which prayerfully glorify our Father (as Jesus spoke about in Matthew 5: 16) by shining His light in/through us. But perhaps you have songs, as these two to which I’ve linked you above, which help you have times of special and very personal worship with our Lord. I’m convinced that’s why Asaph and David wrote their Psalms; and I love to worship God with our more contemporary songs as well, … like the two I’ve used today, which certainly will remain a big part of my worship routine to help me start my day in worship of our Lord.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I pray that You always come alive in my worship, with our without the music and lyrics which Your music makers, like Asaph or Chris Tomlin, have created for us to worship You with more depth of purpose. Amen
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 35 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 54 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Video of the Day #1: Chris Tomlin sings How Great Is Our God … For your personal worship … go to this link -
============
Highlight Video of the Day #2: Carrie Underwood sings and Vince Gill plays How Great Thou Art … For your personal worship … go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Oh, my dear following reader and fellow Christian (oh, how I pray that is so!), … the tears are rolling down my cheeks from my devotional time this morning. And a lot of that has to do with the reality that I just listened to – and am re-listening as I write this – the wonderful, live version of Chris Tomlin singing his glorious praise song, How Great Is Our God, which came to my mind today as I read through my chronological Bible read in Psalms 73, 77, and 78 today, all Psalms either written or compiled by King David’s song leader, Asaph.
And if you’re reading and meditating along with me here, may I suggest that you use the link above and with your computer audio volume turned up a bit, to go to the You Tube video of this resounding Tomlin praise song. If you do, I believe it will set your heart right before (and maybe during) your read of these three Psalms. Then, if you really want to explode with worship and joy after reading these three Asaph psalms, go to the second You Tube link above and hear (and see) Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill sing the great old hymn, How Great Thou Art.
And when you do this, as I have this morning, as you read through the Psalms compiled by Asaph, in this morning’s read, you’ll understand why David’s song leader was motivated to compile (or write) these songs to help the people of Israel in David’s day remember and worship their God for all He had done for His people. Psalm 78, for example (linked above), is a rather long song of remembrance for all God had done from the times of Moses until the Lord anointed David as the leader of God’s people. And though music and song are only a small part of what our worship of God is and should be, it can, as I believe Asaph and David knew, enhance our very personal and genuine worship of the One and Only Living God.
I hope (and will pray below) that we all worship our Lord with our 24/7 life of choices and actions, which prayerfully glorify our Father (as Jesus spoke about in Matthew 5: 16) by shining His light in/through us. But perhaps you have songs, as these two to which I’ve linked you above, which help you have times of special and very personal worship with our Lord. I’m convinced that’s why Asaph and David wrote their Psalms; and I love to worship God with our more contemporary songs as well, … like the two I’ve used today, which certainly will remain a big part of my worship routine to help me start my day in worship of our Lord.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I pray that You always come alive in my worship, with our without the music and lyrics which Your music makers, like Asaph or Chris Tomlin, have created for us to worship You with more depth of purpose. Amen
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April 24, 2012 … Life Changing Prayer
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Chronicles, Chapters 3-5 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: … 1st Chronicles 4: 9-10 ... 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain."10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
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My Journal for Today: Well, here I am this morning, back in the book of 1st Chronicles, where God is listing and helping the people remember all the chosen peoples who came before them; and today, the reading assignment being 1st Chronicles, Chapters 3-5, it was not difficult for me to locate a highlight passage; because in these chapters. in what many consider a very dull listing of God’s peoples after the Babylonian captivity, we come upon that little segment where one man and his prayer is documented.
This, of course, is the two verses in 1st Chronicles which were popularized a few years ago by Rev. Bruce Wilkinson, who wrote a smash, landmark best seller, entitled The Prayer of Jabez, a book which was on the best seller lists for months and sold mega-millions of copies. And it began a series of books by Dr. Wilkinson called the “Breakthrough Series,” leading to a ministry, about which the reader here can read by going to this link. But I’m not here today to promote Dr. Wilkinson or his ministry; I’m here today because of what God shared with His people in 1st Chronicles in those two brief verses, highlighted and copied above, as a powerful documentation of one man’s life and one man’s prayer.
And as you’re reading through these chapters with me, one can’t help but be surprised that, of all the people listed and chronicled in 1st Chronicles, the author of the book stops to document only one by anything that man did or said; and that one is the man Jabez. All these people; and only one is cited by God’s word for something special; and that something special is the man’s prayer life. And not only that, God’s word cites what this man’s prayer life was all about.
Now, I’ve read Bruce Wilkinson’s book about Jabez’s prayer; and I know the book has been somewhat controversial in Christian circles. In fact if you have about 30 minutes and you’d like to hear Wilkinson commenting on The Prayer of Jabez, as well as two of his subsequent books, you can go to this link for Dr. W being interviewed.
But you don’t need to research Dr. W’s book[s] to see that God’s word does, in fact, separate this man, Jabez, out; and it does so by documenting, rather specifically, his prayer life. And in doing that, we actually have a model prayer which could be used, as Wilkinson teaches, as a template for our prayer life.
And for what does Jabez pray? Well, he prays (and I might add, he cries out to God in prayer, emotionally) for God to help him avoid that for which he was named (“jabez” in Hebrew means “pain”). And even more specifically Jabez prays for four things … [1] that God would bless him, [2] that God would enlarge his territory, [3] that God’s hand would be upon him, and [4] that God would protect him from harm and pain. And then the author of 1st Chronicles documents that God granted Jabez a “YES” answer to his prayers.
Now, I’m not going to go into all the ramifications of how this can be interpreted or how the prayer of this man, Jabez, might lead you to alter your prayer life. This, of course, Dr. Wilkinson has written about in his book. But I will say that Jabez, being cited as special by God’s word in the midst of all of these people who were merely named; and having that special citation be because of Jabez’s prayer life, is impressive to me; and most certainly this little segment in 1st Chronicles is a reminder to me that my prayer life could be more active and powerful as I live out my life, like Jabez, certainly seeking God’s blessing and His protection from harm and pain.
I’ll leave it to you to meditate on this little passage in the midst of God’s chronicles and see how it influences you. Maybe you might want to read Wilkinson’s book. But certainly I think we could all let this little passage be a prompt to do a self inventory of the quality/quantity of our prayer life … and to see if we believe that God, as He did with Jabez, truly honors His children who prayer ardently and often, from a heart of humility and total obedience, as was modeled by the prayer life of His Son, Jesus, asking our God to bless us and to protect us ever day.
How about you? Are you like me and convicted today to be more like Jabez? What would happen if all of us prayed humbly, and with a contrite heart, for God’s blessing and protection? Wilkinson clams it would change your life; … what do you think?
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You know my heart. You hear my prayers today. And I do seek Your blessing and protection this day and all days. Amen
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Highlight Passage: … 1st Chronicles 4: 9-10 ... 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain."10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
============
My Journal for Today: Well, here I am this morning, back in the book of 1st Chronicles, where God is listing and helping the people remember all the chosen peoples who came before them; and today, the reading assignment being 1st Chronicles, Chapters 3-5, it was not difficult for me to locate a highlight passage; because in these chapters. in what many consider a very dull listing of God’s peoples after the Babylonian captivity, we come upon that little segment where one man and his prayer is documented.
This, of course, is the two verses in 1st Chronicles which were popularized a few years ago by Rev. Bruce Wilkinson, who wrote a smash, landmark best seller, entitled The Prayer of Jabez, a book which was on the best seller lists for months and sold mega-millions of copies. And it began a series of books by Dr. Wilkinson called the “Breakthrough Series,” leading to a ministry, about which the reader here can read by going to this link. But I’m not here today to promote Dr. Wilkinson or his ministry; I’m here today because of what God shared with His people in 1st Chronicles in those two brief verses, highlighted and copied above, as a powerful documentation of one man’s life and one man’s prayer.
And as you’re reading through these chapters with me, one can’t help but be surprised that, of all the people listed and chronicled in 1st Chronicles, the author of the book stops to document only one by anything that man did or said; and that one is the man Jabez. All these people; and only one is cited by God’s word for something special; and that something special is the man’s prayer life. And not only that, God’s word cites what this man’s prayer life was all about.
Now, I’ve read Bruce Wilkinson’s book about Jabez’s prayer; and I know the book has been somewhat controversial in Christian circles. In fact if you have about 30 minutes and you’d like to hear Wilkinson commenting on The Prayer of Jabez, as well as two of his subsequent books, you can go to this link for Dr. W being interviewed.
But you don’t need to research Dr. W’s book[s] to see that God’s word does, in fact, separate this man, Jabez, out; and it does so by documenting, rather specifically, his prayer life. And in doing that, we actually have a model prayer which could be used, as Wilkinson teaches, as a template for our prayer life.
And for what does Jabez pray? Well, he prays (and I might add, he cries out to God in prayer, emotionally) for God to help him avoid that for which he was named (“jabez” in Hebrew means “pain”). And even more specifically Jabez prays for four things … [1] that God would bless him, [2] that God would enlarge his territory, [3] that God’s hand would be upon him, and [4] that God would protect him from harm and pain. And then the author of 1st Chronicles documents that God granted Jabez a “YES” answer to his prayers.
Now, I’m not going to go into all the ramifications of how this can be interpreted or how the prayer of this man, Jabez, might lead you to alter your prayer life. This, of course, Dr. Wilkinson has written about in his book. But I will say that Jabez, being cited as special by God’s word in the midst of all of these people who were merely named; and having that special citation be because of Jabez’s prayer life, is impressive to me; and most certainly this little segment in 1st Chronicles is a reminder to me that my prayer life could be more active and powerful as I live out my life, like Jabez, certainly seeking God’s blessing and His protection from harm and pain.
I’ll leave it to you to meditate on this little passage in the midst of God’s chronicles and see how it influences you. Maybe you might want to read Wilkinson’s book. But certainly I think we could all let this little passage be a prompt to do a self inventory of the quality/quantity of our prayer life … and to see if we believe that God, as He did with Jabez, truly honors His children who prayer ardently and often, from a heart of humility and total obedience, as was modeled by the prayer life of His Son, Jesus, asking our God to bless us and to protect us ever day.
How about you? Are you like me and convicted today to be more like Jabez? What would happen if all of us prayed humbly, and with a contrite heart, for God’s blessing and protection? Wilkinson clams it would change your life; … what do you think?
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You know my heart. You hear my prayers today. And I do seek Your blessing and protection this day and all days. Amen
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