Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Joshua, Chapters 12-15 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Reference Passage : Joshua 13: 1 … When Joshua had grown old, the LORD said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.”
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Highlight Review Passage : Joshua 14: 10-12 … 10 [Caleb’s witness] … “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
My Journal for Today: In reading and meditating through Chapters 12-15 of the Book of Joshua this morning, two passages (highlighted above) struck me emotionally, personally, and – I believe- spiritually. And they were saying to me – from God’s Spirit, I believe – … “Bill, don’t let Satan turn you out, feeling that you deserve retirement from the work I’ve called you to do; because I, your God, need you to do what I have prepared and purposed you to do for My glory.”
Sometimes, I have to admit that I get wrapped in feelings of entitlement, … thinking, … “Well, I’ve worked hard on the front-lines of spiritual warfare for a lot of years; and I’m getting up in age; and my strength is waning somewhat in my latter years.” But then, I read these highlighted passages above, which remind me of two of God’s great warriors, Joshua and Caleb. And as I meditate here this morning, I remember the life of Moses as well, who carried God’s banner of glory well beyond his 100th year.
Bottom-line lesson today for me [and maybe for you];… God can use anyone at any age for any task which HE lays out for us to do as part of HIS plan for HIS glory. So, … though I might be tired and even a bit broken down physically, if God has called me to go to battle for His Name and His glory, he’s going to supply me with all I need to accomplish what He has to do for me. And as I’m declaring this, a number of passages from God’s word bubble into my consciousness to lift me up and give me strength and courage.
And I hope you, who are reading here with me, will be encouraged by Isaiah 41: 10 … 1st Cor. 10: 13 … Phil. 4: 13 … 2nd Cor. 12: 9 … 2nd Timothy 1: 7 … and 2nd Peter 1: 3. And if you can meditate on the stories in the highlight passages from Joshua above, as well as these truths from God’s word which I’ve documented here, I pray that, since we all have God’s charge of witness (in Acts 1: 8) as well as God’s GREAT COMMISSION (in Matt. 28: 19-20), we must move onward, … ignoring feelings of inadequacy and weariness, to carry out what God has purposed for us to do for His glory. Remember one last passage from the Apostle Paul – go to Galatians 6: 7-10 - linked here – and taking in all of this … ONWARD FOR CHRIST!!!
My Prayer Today: … Lord, lift me beyond feelings of “retirement” and onward to action as long as you have purposed me to work for Your kingdom. Amen
Showing posts with label God's will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's will. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 09, 2012
March 9, 2012 … Looking Back To Look Forward
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Numbers, Chapters 35-36 ... To study these chapters, go to this link -
Numbers 36: 13: … [Take Heed From History], … 13 These are the commands and regulations the LORD gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Corinthians 10 : 1-12, Chapters 35-36 ... To study these chapters, go to this link
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My Journal for Today: So, I close out the book of Numbers today in my chronological read through the Bible; and in the last verse of the last chapter in this book, Moses summarizes all which he captured in this book for the Book of the Law, … God’s chronicle of His direction and purpose for His chosen people, as well as documentation of their history. And why is this important to us today, being under the New Covenant of grace? Well, above I’ve linked you, if you’re following with me, to a passage written in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul, a letter to God’s church (in Corinth, but to all in the Church by context), where the Apostle also uses history, centuries after Moses wrote the historical chronicle of the Israelites trek through the wilderness, to help God’s people see the point of why obedience and spiritual discipline are so important to God’s people living God’s way.
Sometimes, it can be a bit of a drudge to read through God’s word in the historical accounts, such as in the Book of Numbers. However, God has chronicled the history of His chosen people so that we can see why it’s so important that we follow God’s way and His will; and that we do it by following God’s word. And that is why Moses was charged by God to write The Book of the Law; and it’s why Paul wrote so much of what we know of as the New Testament.
God’s Book, His Scripture, our Bible, lets us look back at history so that we can live forward into the future. And if we desire to live as God desires His people to live, though we move ever forward in our trek to God’s promised land, we need to know the pitfalls of the past to move forward into the future avoiding those pitfalls.
Knowing why God’s people trudged through that wilderness for those 40 years … and knowing what they did along the way, helps me to realize just how important it is for me to know and understand God’s word and the story of God’s people so that I can move forward and live my life, avoiding all the grumbling and egregious errors made by those immature believers out there as they wandered in the wilderness.
So, here we are with God’s people in the Book of Numbers, poised and ready to cross over the Jordan and enter into that promised-land; and we’ve learned by looking back to their history, in books like Leviticus and Numbers, how important it is that they follow the directions and dictates of God. And as we are poised and ready for our future (i.e., our “promised-land”), how are we going to be able to follow God and live the way He wants us to live? Well, we’ll read it, the way God had it down in His word. For example, when God charged Joshua to take God’s people into the promised-land [see Joshua 1: 1-9]. that commission, written in Scripture, becomes God’s prescription for how we are to follow the Lord as we move on in life.
And I’m going to close today by quoting what God said to Joshua and what Joshua wrote down in God’s Book for us to be Spirit-led and successful in our trek to follow God. He wrote (see Joshua 1: 8 … [NKJV] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
I come here everyday, reading through God’s Book and digging into His word and praying for God’s Spirit to enlighten me. I desire to be successful in my faith, following God in this life; and I know, from Joshua 1: 8 above, that I will only be able to see clearly and follow my Lord diligently if I know His word and pour it into my heart and mind in order to allow His Spirit, the Author of God’s book of history, to lead me into my future for His glory.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I will continue to come to Your Book every day, seeking to follow You. So, as You said in the Psalms, let Your word be Your light unto my path. Amen
Numbers 36: 13: … [Take Heed From History], … 13 These are the commands and regulations the LORD gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Corinthians 10 : 1-12, Chapters 35-36 ... To study these chapters, go to this link
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My Journal for Today: So, I close out the book of Numbers today in my chronological read through the Bible; and in the last verse of the last chapter in this book, Moses summarizes all which he captured in this book for the Book of the Law, … God’s chronicle of His direction and purpose for His chosen people, as well as documentation of their history. And why is this important to us today, being under the New Covenant of grace? Well, above I’ve linked you, if you’re following with me, to a passage written in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul, a letter to God’s church (in Corinth, but to all in the Church by context), where the Apostle also uses history, centuries after Moses wrote the historical chronicle of the Israelites trek through the wilderness, to help God’s people see the point of why obedience and spiritual discipline are so important to God’s people living God’s way.
Sometimes, it can be a bit of a drudge to read through God’s word in the historical accounts, such as in the Book of Numbers. However, God has chronicled the history of His chosen people so that we can see why it’s so important that we follow God’s way and His will; and that we do it by following God’s word. And that is why Moses was charged by God to write The Book of the Law; and it’s why Paul wrote so much of what we know of as the New Testament.
God’s Book, His Scripture, our Bible, lets us look back at history so that we can live forward into the future. And if we desire to live as God desires His people to live, though we move ever forward in our trek to God’s promised land, we need to know the pitfalls of the past to move forward into the future avoiding those pitfalls.
Knowing why God’s people trudged through that wilderness for those 40 years … and knowing what they did along the way, helps me to realize just how important it is for me to know and understand God’s word and the story of God’s people so that I can move forward and live my life, avoiding all the grumbling and egregious errors made by those immature believers out there as they wandered in the wilderness.
So, here we are with God’s people in the Book of Numbers, poised and ready to cross over the Jordan and enter into that promised-land; and we’ve learned by looking back to their history, in books like Leviticus and Numbers, how important it is that they follow the directions and dictates of God. And as we are poised and ready for our future (i.e., our “promised-land”), how are we going to be able to follow God and live the way He wants us to live? Well, we’ll read it, the way God had it down in His word. For example, when God charged Joshua to take God’s people into the promised-land [see Joshua 1: 1-9]. that commission, written in Scripture, becomes God’s prescription for how we are to follow the Lord as we move on in life.
And I’m going to close today by quoting what God said to Joshua and what Joshua wrote down in God’s Book for us to be Spirit-led and successful in our trek to follow God. He wrote (see Joshua 1: 8 … [NKJV] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
I come here everyday, reading through God’s Book and digging into His word and praying for God’s Spirit to enlighten me. I desire to be successful in my faith, following God in this life; and I know, from Joshua 1: 8 above, that I will only be able to see clearly and follow my Lord diligently if I know His word and pour it into my heart and mind in order to allow His Spirit, the Author of God’s book of history, to lead me into my future for His glory.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I will continue to come to Your Book every day, seeking to follow You. So, as You said in the Psalms, let Your word be Your light unto my path. Amen
Saturday, December 18, 2010
2010 – December 18 – When Scruples Become Unscrupulous
Study from God’s Word… The entire letter from Paul to Titus … Passage for Reflection: Titus 1: 15 … NIV To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
My Journal for Today: Reading the title above, it may seem somewhat nonsensical. We generally think that “having scruples” is a good thing when it denotes one pausing or having doubts about what is perceived to be bad choices or behaviors. But just because someone balks at behavior cannot automatically be judged as GOOD scruples, especially when the judgments are based upon ignorance, miscalculations, or miscommunications.
In today’s highlight text, Paul was warning his protégé, Titus, who was in Crete dealing with a number of Jews who were teaching spurious doctrines about Judaism which perverted the concept of grace in The Gospel. Therefore, their “scruples” had become unscrupulous; and they were confusing the believers in the church in Crete, teaching that they, especially the Gentiles there, must conform to Jewish religious traditions as a sign of their salvation.
Today, in his devotional, LaGard Smith, asks, "Are my high standards of virtue matched by an equally high sense of God’s grace?" And this is always a balancing act for Christians, isn’t it? How do we maintain Godly truth and exercise Godly grace simultaneously? Jesus was the model of balance when it came to truth and grace; and we, as His disciples, certainly strive to emulate His balance. BUT to say the least; … it can be tough at times!
In today’s socio-political arena, we see those living the so-called “gay” lifestyle and claiming it is normal and healthy. And there are people, calling themselves, “christian,” who scrupulously claim that these people are behaving abominably; and these “christians” will not have anything to do with those who call themselves “gay christians.” And where in all of this finger pointing and hate-speech is God’s grace being exercised? Is this not an example of “scruples becoming unscrupulous?”
Where is the love and the grace of God being exercised when so-called “christians” point fingers at misguided homosexuals, calling them “queers” or “faggots?” How will God’s truth be heard or received when our scruples, as Christians, make the light of truth invisible to those who need it so desperately? And also, … how can the light of God’s truth be visible when, because of excessive grace, it’s never taken from under a bushel and shone, …again, to those who so desperately need it? Oh, the dilemma of seeking a balance between grace and truth!
As Dr. Smith writes, "… the danger is either being so “grace-filled” that we relegate all scruples to the realm of personal opinion; … or – like those Jewish legalists [with whom Titus was dealing] – being so lacking in grace that we call “unclean” what God has made clean."
But, you are probably asking, at this moment, how does that statement apply to the situation of dealing with homosexuals in our world today? Because, as your scruples [and mine] may dictate, homosexuality is so clearly a sin-ridden lifestyle; and so, how can we, as Christians, therefore show God’s love, in witnessing truth to lost people who are living as homosexuals and still try to witness the truth and light of God’s word to them?
And that my friends is one of those ever potent and powerful conundrums of our day; and though I’d like to pontificate Godly wisdom and clear direction here, my fellow Christian; I’m afraid you’ve latched on to the wrong teacher/Pastor here. I’m still trying to walk that social tightrope and find the right balance these days. And when I get all the answers, I’ll be right here to tell you about them.
Until then, I’ll keep trying to grow into Christlikeness and be as much like our Lord was in dealing with sinners who were lost and living in the darkness of their own sin.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me be like You, shining Your Light into the darkness of this world, yet always standing in/for the truth. Amen
My Journal for Today: Reading the title above, it may seem somewhat nonsensical. We generally think that “having scruples” is a good thing when it denotes one pausing or having doubts about what is perceived to be bad choices or behaviors. But just because someone balks at behavior cannot automatically be judged as GOOD scruples, especially when the judgments are based upon ignorance, miscalculations, or miscommunications.
In today’s highlight text, Paul was warning his protégé, Titus, who was in Crete dealing with a number of Jews who were teaching spurious doctrines about Judaism which perverted the concept of grace in The Gospel. Therefore, their “scruples” had become unscrupulous; and they were confusing the believers in the church in Crete, teaching that they, especially the Gentiles there, must conform to Jewish religious traditions as a sign of their salvation.
Today, in his devotional, LaGard Smith, asks, "Are my high standards of virtue matched by an equally high sense of God’s grace?" And this is always a balancing act for Christians, isn’t it? How do we maintain Godly truth and exercise Godly grace simultaneously? Jesus was the model of balance when it came to truth and grace; and we, as His disciples, certainly strive to emulate His balance. BUT to say the least; … it can be tough at times!
In today’s socio-political arena, we see those living the so-called “gay” lifestyle and claiming it is normal and healthy. And there are people, calling themselves, “christian,” who scrupulously claim that these people are behaving abominably; and these “christians” will not have anything to do with those who call themselves “gay christians.” And where in all of this finger pointing and hate-speech is God’s grace being exercised? Is this not an example of “scruples becoming unscrupulous?”
Where is the love and the grace of God being exercised when so-called “christians” point fingers at misguided homosexuals, calling them “queers” or “faggots?” How will God’s truth be heard or received when our scruples, as Christians, make the light of truth invisible to those who need it so desperately? And also, … how can the light of God’s truth be visible when, because of excessive grace, it’s never taken from under a bushel and shone, …again, to those who so desperately need it? Oh, the dilemma of seeking a balance between grace and truth!
As Dr. Smith writes, "… the danger is either being so “grace-filled” that we relegate all scruples to the realm of personal opinion; … or – like those Jewish legalists [with whom Titus was dealing] – being so lacking in grace that we call “unclean” what God has made clean."
But, you are probably asking, at this moment, how does that statement apply to the situation of dealing with homosexuals in our world today? Because, as your scruples [and mine] may dictate, homosexuality is so clearly a sin-ridden lifestyle; and so, how can we, as Christians, therefore show God’s love, in witnessing truth to lost people who are living as homosexuals and still try to witness the truth and light of God’s word to them?
And that my friends is one of those ever potent and powerful conundrums of our day; and though I’d like to pontificate Godly wisdom and clear direction here, my fellow Christian; I’m afraid you’ve latched on to the wrong teacher/Pastor here. I’m still trying to walk that social tightrope and find the right balance these days. And when I get all the answers, I’ll be right here to tell you about them.
Until then, I’ll keep trying to grow into Christlikeness and be as much like our Lord was in dealing with sinners who were lost and living in the darkness of their own sin.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me be like You, shining Your Light into the darkness of this world, yet always standing in/for the truth. Amen
Thursday, July 01, 2010
2010 – July 1 – Global Sovereignty
Blogger's Note: I continue on with my commitment to read through the Bible in a year, using Dr. LaGard Smith's, edited, The Daily Bible in Chronological Order. And I must say that this decision/discipline, as well as using his book, The Daily Bible Devotional, has taken me deeper into God's truth, especially with regard to its application to my life, than I certianly imagined. And I'm humbled/honored that a few have decided to come along with me by reading my journal entries here. May we all be blessed by God's truth. ... <'BB><
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Study from God’s Word… Isaiah 34: 1-4; Isaiah 14: 24 – 27; Is 15: 1-9; Is 16: 6-14; Is 17: 1-14 … Passage for Reflection: Isaiah 14: 26 – 27 … NIV 26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. 27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
My Journal for Today: I am caught up short by conviction and reflection on today’s entry by Dr. Smith. First I read the suggested text passages – today in the Book of Isaiah – which reflect on how God was to intervene in the affairs of mankind in the time of Isaiah, the Prophet, who projected God’s word to the people about God’s sovereignty over the entire world, over all the nations [read today’s passage].
You know, LaGard Smith is right, national sovereignty is a big deal; and not a day goes by in which we don’t likely read something in the news about how borders are being challenged, breached, or how they need to be protected against invaders or illegal aliens. The nations of the world have become politically paranoid as to their sovereignty; and we seem to be constantly dealing with “brinksmanship” with regard to what we – America - should do as the nations of the earth exercise their political sovereignty muscles in the world games of politics.
But think about it. In the Old Testament, as in this Book of Isaiah and today’s highlight passage, we read that God was constantly moving and maneuvering in the plans and processes of nations; and He exercised total sovereignty over the world He created and the people who were allowed to occupy His world. Read again today’s highlight passage where Isaiah prophesied God’s control over His (the Lord’s) world; and then think on the God you worship and serve … TODAY.
Is God today in any less in control than He was when Isaiah prophesied the words from God’s Spirit, spoken at the time in history when they were written into our Bible? If you believe as I do, that God [i.e., my Lord, Jesus] is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (see Hebrews 13: 8) then we must believe – and declare – that God is just as sovereign over nations and the events of history being shaped in the headlines of today as He was in the times of Isaiah; and God certainly loves His people (i.e., you and me) just as much today as He loved His disobedient children about whom we read of in the times of Isaiah.
And that truth has caused me to take note of my own attitude about God and what is going on in today’s world. And it was Dr. Smith’s self examination question which brought me up short today, looking into my life from the mirror of God’s truth, as Dr. Smith asked me to ask myself, ”When I vehemently disagree with how political affairs are being handled, [and I most certainly do!] am I railing against God’s will?
Ouch! … Double OUCH!! … Oh, how I gripe and moan about how the world seems to be falling apart around me (us); and I do so often carry on about what the President and Congress are doing – or not doing – about things for which I vehemently disagree with their decisions/actions. But now I realize that God is just as much in control of the affairs of man as He was during the dreadful times of disobedience I’m reading about in the Book of Isaiah. And my God, especially evidenced in the death and resurrection of Jesus, my Savior, is just as much in control of the events of history today as He was in Isaiah’s day. So, this now causes me to realize that God’s plan and His will are being worked out in my life TODAY; and I need to see my SOVEREIGN GOD doing His thing in the workings of history today.
And, even more so, I need to be thankful for that reality and seeking where/how I can be part of God’s sovereign plan, especially where His plan involves me, my attitudes, my worship (i.e., my life for Him), and my service.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to realize that You are TOTALLY in control and that You desire for me to be a part of YOUR history as it unfolds in my life. Amen
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Study from God’s Word… Isaiah 34: 1-4; Isaiah 14: 24 – 27; Is 15: 1-9; Is 16: 6-14; Is 17: 1-14 … Passage for Reflection: Isaiah 14: 26 – 27 … NIV 26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. 27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
My Journal for Today: I am caught up short by conviction and reflection on today’s entry by Dr. Smith. First I read the suggested text passages – today in the Book of Isaiah – which reflect on how God was to intervene in the affairs of mankind in the time of Isaiah, the Prophet, who projected God’s word to the people about God’s sovereignty over the entire world, over all the nations [read today’s passage].
You know, LaGard Smith is right, national sovereignty is a big deal; and not a day goes by in which we don’t likely read something in the news about how borders are being challenged, breached, or how they need to be protected against invaders or illegal aliens. The nations of the world have become politically paranoid as to their sovereignty; and we seem to be constantly dealing with “brinksmanship” with regard to what we – America - should do as the nations of the earth exercise their political sovereignty muscles in the world games of politics.
But think about it. In the Old Testament, as in this Book of Isaiah and today’s highlight passage, we read that God was constantly moving and maneuvering in the plans and processes of nations; and He exercised total sovereignty over the world He created and the people who were allowed to occupy His world. Read again today’s highlight passage where Isaiah prophesied God’s control over His (the Lord’s) world; and then think on the God you worship and serve … TODAY.
Is God today in any less in control than He was when Isaiah prophesied the words from God’s Spirit, spoken at the time in history when they were written into our Bible? If you believe as I do, that God [i.e., my Lord, Jesus] is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (see Hebrews 13: 8) then we must believe – and declare – that God is just as sovereign over nations and the events of history being shaped in the headlines of today as He was in the times of Isaiah; and God certainly loves His people (i.e., you and me) just as much today as He loved His disobedient children about whom we read of in the times of Isaiah.
And that truth has caused me to take note of my own attitude about God and what is going on in today’s world. And it was Dr. Smith’s self examination question which brought me up short today, looking into my life from the mirror of God’s truth, as Dr. Smith asked me to ask myself, ”When I vehemently disagree with how political affairs are being handled, [and I most certainly do!] am I railing against God’s will?
Ouch! … Double OUCH!! … Oh, how I gripe and moan about how the world seems to be falling apart around me (us); and I do so often carry on about what the President and Congress are doing – or not doing – about things for which I vehemently disagree with their decisions/actions. But now I realize that God is just as much in control of the affairs of man as He was during the dreadful times of disobedience I’m reading about in the Book of Isaiah. And my God, especially evidenced in the death and resurrection of Jesus, my Savior, is just as much in control of the events of history today as He was in Isaiah’s day. So, this now causes me to realize that God’s plan and His will are being worked out in my life TODAY; and I need to see my SOVEREIGN GOD doing His thing in the workings of history today.
And, even more so, I need to be thankful for that reality and seeking where/how I can be part of God’s sovereign plan, especially where His plan involves me, my attitudes, my worship (i.e., my life for Him), and my service.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to realize that You are TOTALLY in control and that You desire for me to be a part of YOUR history as it unfolds in my life. Amen
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