Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalms 121-130 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Reference Passages: From above, see Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130 …
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Highlight Reference Verse: From above see Psalms 121: 1-2 … 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, … the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Highlight Reference Verse #2: From above see Psalms 130: 5 … I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
My Journal for Today: Today the Chronological Reading Plan takes its readers (and that’s me!) to a list of similar Psalms which were written by unknown authors in Israel. Possibly King Hezekiah could have been the author of several of them. But these songs of God’s people sing out their reliance on the Creator of all and the one and only God who saves.
My friends, this would be a good group of Psalms to read when and if one is down-hearted or needs assurance from whence our help comes. Don’t you agree that there are going to be events or circumstances where we cannot put our clinging trust in mankind or the institutions created by man?
Let’s face it, in today’s economy, do you put your faith/trust in our government … as vast and as powerful as it is? Do you trust our President or the Congress to bring us through these rough times? What about science? Do you trust the smartest scientists on earth to have the answers to physical challenges like cancer, or Alzheimer’s Disease, or AIDS? What about education; … do you think our educational systems are going to raise up saviors to deliver us from the world’s problems.
I think you get where I’m headed here. My friend and fellow reader into God’s word, I put my trust only in my God; and I look only to His word for my guidance. Meditate on the two highlight verses which I’ve copied for you above; and as you do, in paraphrasing these verses, I declare, “My help ONLY comes from the Lord;” and “I wait for the Lord, … and in His word I put my hope.”
TRUTH: … The world is falling apart; and these songs from God’s word today express the only place God’s people can look for help and that is from our God as He has written our course of life into His word. So, are you with me, … my dear one? Will you say, as do I, “My help comes only from my God!”
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You are the only One Your people can look to for help; so, we pray for that help in these times of trouble. … Amen
Showing posts with label God's word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's word. Show all posts
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
March 22, 2012 … The Prescription for Spiritual Success
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Joshua, Chapters 1-4 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Added Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Joshua 1: 1-9 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Reference Passage : Joshua 1: 8 … Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
My Journal for Today: My chronological read in the Bible today takes me from the “Book of the Law,” i.e., the first five books of the Bible, penned by Moses, into the chronicle of God’s people, led by Joshua, moving into the promised-land. And the highlight passage from these four chapters, which I was led to read/study today, and to which you’re linked above, was easy for me to pick. Joshua 1: 8, which was God’s specific prescription to Moses for spiritual success, is a passage which has helped to shape my life; and hence I have a particular personal/emotional investment in this blog this morning.
First, the key verse today lies at the outset of Joshua’s charge and encouragement – by God Himself – for Moses’ hand-picked leader to take the people across the Jordan, moving from what is now the country of Jordan into the designated and God-given promised-land in what we now know of as Israel. This was certainly a daunting task for the man who had been Moses’ right-hand warrior and co-leader for so many years. But here was Joshua, tagged as the complete and singular leader of God’s people; and he wasn’t used to wearing the mantle of leadership which Moses had held. So, at the outset of Joshua 1, verses 1-9, we read of God’s pep-talk to Joshua, encouraging him with a remembrance of the covenant that God would give Joshua and the people every parcel of property where they walked into the new land; and with their obedience to His word – past and present – God would be with Joshua in all he did.
But the highlight verse today, Joshua 1: 8, is key in this task directive God imparts to Joshua. And the Lord tells Joshua that for this task to which Joshua has been selected by God, Joshua must discipline himself to be in and stay in God’s word (and that would be those first five books of the Bible) day and night, being “… careful to do everything written in it;” … and if Joshua did this, God promised him success and power in carrying out God’s charge [i.e., His will].
My reading friend, I hope you can see the immediate application for you and me for this prescription for success when we are moving in life across whatever Jordan we must cross and when we move through life toward God’s promised-land. But whenever we know where God is leading us (i.e., His will or direction for our lives), it usually involves some decision to cross a “Jordan River” in our lives. Perhaps you know that you need to begin living in a manner which involves courage to change some habit or lifestyle pattern. At one point in my life I knew that God wanted me to turn from pursuing sexual sin and other habitual patterns of idolatry and/or covetousness in my life. The decision to repent and move from ungodly behavior to Godly behavior was my “Jordan.” Well, it was a mentor, the Moses in my life, who helped me, as his Joshua, to see the application of Joshua 1: 8 to the task that God was laying out for me … i.e., to be obedient and follow Him (much like Jesus instructed His disciples in Luke 9: 23).
So, using the instruction and personal interpretation of Joshua 1: 8 for the life choices which lay ahead of me, my mentor helped me realize that I was going to have to be in and stay in God’s word daily and continuously, letting God’s word and His purpose guide me, … much as is put forth in other Scriptures like Isaiah 55: 11 and 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17. So, needing desperately to reform my life under God’s will and direction and away from fleshly pursuits, with the help of my mentor, I got involved in a rigorous daily scripture memory process; and he helped me begin and develop the discipline of a daily morning Bible-led devotional, where I would be in God’s word daily and getting God’s word deeply into my being in a disciplined way. And that, my friends, is the essence of what God was instructing Joshua to do to be successful in carrying out the will God had for his life.
My dear one, how much is God’s word a part of your pursuing personal success with regard to God’s will in your life? Is there some task or direction which you know God is leading you toward; but you have retained selfish desires to satisfy your flesh rather than fulfilling God’s will successfully? Well, if so, have you tried carrying out and following through with the Joshua 1: 8 prescription?
And one of the scripture passages I was given by my mentor to contextualize, memorize, and internalize years ago was Psalm 119: 9,…11, where God’s word states - How can a young man (i.e., an immature Christian) cleanse his way? … By taking head to Your word. … Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.
My friend, I don’t know about you; but I want to be a Christian who is successful in the way I live, avoiding sin in my life, and being able to live in fulfillment of God’s will. And today’s prescription for success in living this way is the same for me (and for you) as it was for Joshua; and if we desire to be successful as “Christians,” being in, living in, and living out God’s word is the key to that success.
My Prayer Today: … Oh, Lord, how I desire to stay in Your word everyday of my life, letting Your word guide me and empower me to be successful in shining Your light in a very dark world. Amen
Added Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Joshua 1: 1-9 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Reference Passage : Joshua 1: 8 … Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
My Journal for Today: My chronological read in the Bible today takes me from the “Book of the Law,” i.e., the first five books of the Bible, penned by Moses, into the chronicle of God’s people, led by Joshua, moving into the promised-land. And the highlight passage from these four chapters, which I was led to read/study today, and to which you’re linked above, was easy for me to pick. Joshua 1: 8, which was God’s specific prescription to Moses for spiritual success, is a passage which has helped to shape my life; and hence I have a particular personal/emotional investment in this blog this morning.
First, the key verse today lies at the outset of Joshua’s charge and encouragement – by God Himself – for Moses’ hand-picked leader to take the people across the Jordan, moving from what is now the country of Jordan into the designated and God-given promised-land in what we now know of as Israel. This was certainly a daunting task for the man who had been Moses’ right-hand warrior and co-leader for so many years. But here was Joshua, tagged as the complete and singular leader of God’s people; and he wasn’t used to wearing the mantle of leadership which Moses had held. So, at the outset of Joshua 1, verses 1-9, we read of God’s pep-talk to Joshua, encouraging him with a remembrance of the covenant that God would give Joshua and the people every parcel of property where they walked into the new land; and with their obedience to His word – past and present – God would be with Joshua in all he did.
But the highlight verse today, Joshua 1: 8, is key in this task directive God imparts to Joshua. And the Lord tells Joshua that for this task to which Joshua has been selected by God, Joshua must discipline himself to be in and stay in God’s word (and that would be those first five books of the Bible) day and night, being “… careful to do everything written in it;” … and if Joshua did this, God promised him success and power in carrying out God’s charge [i.e., His will].
My reading friend, I hope you can see the immediate application for you and me for this prescription for success when we are moving in life across whatever Jordan we must cross and when we move through life toward God’s promised-land. But whenever we know where God is leading us (i.e., His will or direction for our lives), it usually involves some decision to cross a “Jordan River” in our lives. Perhaps you know that you need to begin living in a manner which involves courage to change some habit or lifestyle pattern. At one point in my life I knew that God wanted me to turn from pursuing sexual sin and other habitual patterns of idolatry and/or covetousness in my life. The decision to repent and move from ungodly behavior to Godly behavior was my “Jordan.” Well, it was a mentor, the Moses in my life, who helped me, as his Joshua, to see the application of Joshua 1: 8 to the task that God was laying out for me … i.e., to be obedient and follow Him (much like Jesus instructed His disciples in Luke 9: 23).
So, using the instruction and personal interpretation of Joshua 1: 8 for the life choices which lay ahead of me, my mentor helped me realize that I was going to have to be in and stay in God’s word daily and continuously, letting God’s word and His purpose guide me, … much as is put forth in other Scriptures like Isaiah 55: 11 and 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17. So, needing desperately to reform my life under God’s will and direction and away from fleshly pursuits, with the help of my mentor, I got involved in a rigorous daily scripture memory process; and he helped me begin and develop the discipline of a daily morning Bible-led devotional, where I would be in God’s word daily and getting God’s word deeply into my being in a disciplined way. And that, my friends, is the essence of what God was instructing Joshua to do to be successful in carrying out the will God had for his life.
My dear one, how much is God’s word a part of your pursuing personal success with regard to God’s will in your life? Is there some task or direction which you know God is leading you toward; but you have retained selfish desires to satisfy your flesh rather than fulfilling God’s will successfully? Well, if so, have you tried carrying out and following through with the Joshua 1: 8 prescription?
And one of the scripture passages I was given by my mentor to contextualize, memorize, and internalize years ago was Psalm 119: 9,…11, where God’s word states - How can a young man (i.e., an immature Christian) cleanse his way? … By taking head to Your word. … Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.
My friend, I don’t know about you; but I want to be a Christian who is successful in the way I live, avoiding sin in my life, and being able to live in fulfillment of God’s will. And today’s prescription for success in living this way is the same for me (and for you) as it was for Joshua; and if we desire to be successful as “Christians,” being in, living in, and living out God’s word is the key to that success.
My Prayer Today: … Oh, Lord, how I desire to stay in Your word everyday of my life, letting Your word guide me and empower me to be successful in shining Your light in a very dark world. Amen
Monday, March 12, 2012
March 12, 2012 … Hear … Learn … Obey!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Deuteronomy, Chapters 5-7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Deuteronomy 5: 1: … [Hear, Learn, and Obey] … [God to His people] … Moses summoned all Israel and said: “Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them”
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Deuteronomy5: 29: … [Again … To Obey and Live] … [God to Moses] “Oh, that their hearts [i.e., the people of Israel] would be inclined to fear Me and keep all My commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”
My Journal for Today: Wow! Two verses and two three point sermons right from God’s mouth to the ears of Moses, who, in writing them the Book of the Law, transmits these two power-packed homilies to all of God’s people; and that includes you an me.
The first three-point sermon [in Deut. 5: 1] says “Hear My Laws! … Learn My laws! … and … Obey My laws!” Could God be any more direct and any clearer? I think not! And as I’m confronted by this God-given directive to His people, God’s Spirit in me bubbles forth, from my memory, a powerful truth from another part of His Book … this one from Isaiah 55: 11, which states, for followers of the one, true God, …
“ … so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
How much clearer could God’s directives be for those of us who are covered by both of God’s Covenants (Old and New)? Through His prophets, Moses and Isaiah, directly to us, God is saying … [my humble summary and paraphrase of God’s Deut. 1 and Isaiah 55 sermons] … “HEAR what I say, … LEARN what I say, … DO what I say; and everything you do will be powerful and productive to accomplish My WILL, in My WAY, through My WORD?”
And then we read in Deut. 5: 29 God’s promise to His people (and to you and me in Christ), God’s three-point sermon of promise and what will result (God never lies!!!) when/if we hear, learn, and obey God’s word. God says (again my humble paraphrase), “LISTEN to My word, … REVERENCE My word, … and … OBEY my Word; … and YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER!”
I certainly couldn’t make it any clearer than God gave it to His people through Moses and how God promised power to His people through Isaiah. God was giving His laws to His people so that they [we] could learn them, obey them, and live. But we know that so many of these people, hearing the straight stuff of love from God Himself, couldn’t – or wouldn’t – cut it; and they disobeyed and died.
I don’t think I need to go on here any more about this, do I? God says it! Done deal! … Now, … I need to say to myself here this morning; … knowing God’s truth and dwelling in it daily, … I’m deeply convicted by my memory of the old Nike company motto, which used to say, “JUST DO IT!”
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to hear Your word, learn Your word, and do Your will … today and everyday. Amen
Deuteronomy 5: 1: … [Hear, Learn, and Obey] … [God to His people] … Moses summoned all Israel and said: “Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them”
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Deuteronomy5: 29: … [Again … To Obey and Live] … [God to Moses] “Oh, that their hearts [i.e., the people of Israel] would be inclined to fear Me and keep all My commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”
My Journal for Today: Wow! Two verses and two three point sermons right from God’s mouth to the ears of Moses, who, in writing them the Book of the Law, transmits these two power-packed homilies to all of God’s people; and that includes you an me.
The first three-point sermon [in Deut. 5: 1] says “Hear My Laws! … Learn My laws! … and … Obey My laws!” Could God be any more direct and any clearer? I think not! And as I’m confronted by this God-given directive to His people, God’s Spirit in me bubbles forth, from my memory, a powerful truth from another part of His Book … this one from Isaiah 55: 11, which states, for followers of the one, true God, …
“ … so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
How much clearer could God’s directives be for those of us who are covered by both of God’s Covenants (Old and New)? Through His prophets, Moses and Isaiah, directly to us, God is saying … [my humble summary and paraphrase of God’s Deut. 1 and Isaiah 55 sermons] … “HEAR what I say, … LEARN what I say, … DO what I say; and everything you do will be powerful and productive to accomplish My WILL, in My WAY, through My WORD?”
And then we read in Deut. 5: 29 God’s promise to His people (and to you and me in Christ), God’s three-point sermon of promise and what will result (God never lies!!!) when/if we hear, learn, and obey God’s word. God says (again my humble paraphrase), “LISTEN to My word, … REVERENCE My word, … and … OBEY my Word; … and YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER!”
I certainly couldn’t make it any clearer than God gave it to His people through Moses and how God promised power to His people through Isaiah. God was giving His laws to His people so that they [we] could learn them, obey them, and live. But we know that so many of these people, hearing the straight stuff of love from God Himself, couldn’t – or wouldn’t – cut it; and they disobeyed and died.
I don’t think I need to go on here any more about this, do I? God says it! Done deal! … Now, … I need to say to myself here this morning; … knowing God’s truth and dwelling in it daily, … I’m deeply convicted by my memory of the old Nike company motto, which used to say, “JUST DO IT!”
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to hear Your word, learn Your word, and do Your will … today and everyday. Amen
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
Sunday, February 26, 2012
February 26, 2012 … Consecrating the Temple and Communing with God
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Numbers, Chapters 7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Numbers 7: 1-3: … [Consecrating the Tabernacle]… 1 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. 2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. 3 They brought as their gifts before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
Numbers 7: 89: … [God’s Communion with Moses] … When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the LORD spoke to him.
My Journal for Today: Today I was only led to read one chapter of Numbers, chapter 7; and there is a lot of repetition as you read how each leader of the twelve tribes of Israel presented their consecration offerings to God in the Tent of meetings – i.e., the Tabernacle. And yes, it is interesting to note how important this offering – very significant and generous – was to the ongoing work of God’s Priesthood so that God could interact with His people on their journey to the promised land by traveling with them and communing with them through Moses and the High Priests.
I could easily see an important point upon which to elaborate about the offerings and how they were necessary for God’s anointed, the Levites, to do the work of maintaining the tabernacle as well as the system of worship which God had established. All of this has interesting parallels with how important are Christians give our free-will offerings to God’s established New Covenant Tabernacle – the Church. And the offering of God’s people, in and through God’s Church today, is certainly a much overlooked and devalued part of our life of worship as Christians, … wouldn’t you agree?
However, it was not until I got to the last verse in Chapter 7 of Numbers that God seem to highlight what His word was saying to me today. And that’s the reason why I’ve copied Verse 89 of Chapter 7 in bold relief above. And I believe God was communicating to me (well, maybe not in actual words, but very definitely in meditative interpretation), something like … “Bill, I live in the Tabernacle of your heart; and I want to commune with you there every moment of your life. I’m here for you; and you can know Me through My inspired word.” … Yep, … that’s what I got from verse 89 this morning!
Moses came into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle; and he heard God speak to him. I come to my God every day in my “Tent of Meetings,” i.e., my heart; and God speaks to me. Oh, for sure, God doesn’t commune with me in the same way He spoke to Moses – who probably heard God speaking … even audibly (that had to have been impressive, don’t you think?!).
May I give my witness of testimony as to how God communes with me in the Tabernacle of my heart? For example, … my time with Him this morning was very much like it is almost every morning when I genuinely come to my special, quiet place to be alone with my God, pursuing His wisdom, His will, and His way for my life by delving into His word. And everyday, as I dig into His word – that repository of God’s mind and wisdom – I pray for Him to reveal more of Himself to me through His word. If you’re following along with me in my daily journaling, it may seem like what I’m doing, ie.., the discipline of this study of the word of God, may seem artificial and contrived – i.e., a chronological reading plan. However, there is NOTHING contrived about every “jot and tittle” of God’s word. Our Bible is all of what is promised and proposed in Isaiah 55: 11 and 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17. And if you’ve ever mediated through all of Psalm 119 and Job, chapter 28, you know that digging deeply into God’s word will reveal the very mind of God and produce for us gems of wisdom which are beyond human value. As the Mastercard commercial touts … “PRICELESS!!!”
So, when I Tabernacle with my God every day – yes, every morning – I know, like Moses must’ve known in faith, that our omnipotent/omniscient God is going to be there to speak to me, to reveal Himself, to give me His light and His love directly through His word. And like He did this very morning, when I read, study, and meditate on His word, portions of His masterwork jump out at me, giving me insights into God Himself or shining a light on my path as is promised in Psalm 119: 105.
Delving into God’s word and drilling it into my heart, helps to arm me for the battles of life, sharpening my Spirit-sword (see Eph. 6: 17 and Heb. 4: 12.
Getting God’s word into my mind with discipline and diligence – in faith – helps me to become confident in knowing God’s way and being successful in carrying out God’s will. That’s the 2nd Tim. 3: 17principle which God taught Joshua after Moses had died (see Joshua 1: 8). I want to be successful in following my God as Jesus commanded in Luke 9: 23; and that will only allow me to avoid sin and selfishness in my life IF I bury God’s word so deeply in my heart so as to root out my sin nature (see Psalm 119: 9-11).
And how did I know the powerful direction of all of those verses which I’ve referenced above? Well, they have become part of me; and when I come under pressure, they well up in my consciousness to give me strength and peace and power. That’s why I keep coming back for re-consecration - daily - to the Tabernacle which resides in my heart and which is blessed even further by my giving my offering of will and work so as to keep the Temple pure and empowered.
That is what Moses experienced by going to commune with God in the Lord’s consecrated Holy of Holies; and that is what I experience when I come to be with God – in His word – every day in this quiet place in my heart where God resides. And I pray that for you, too!
My Prayer Today: … Lord, thank You for being here ever day when I come to be with You in Your word. Amen
Numbers 7: 1-3: … [Consecrating the Tabernacle]… 1 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. 2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. 3 They brought as their gifts before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
Numbers 7: 89: … [God’s Communion with Moses] … When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the LORD spoke to him.
My Journal for Today: Today I was only led to read one chapter of Numbers, chapter 7; and there is a lot of repetition as you read how each leader of the twelve tribes of Israel presented their consecration offerings to God in the Tent of meetings – i.e., the Tabernacle. And yes, it is interesting to note how important this offering – very significant and generous – was to the ongoing work of God’s Priesthood so that God could interact with His people on their journey to the promised land by traveling with them and communing with them through Moses and the High Priests.
I could easily see an important point upon which to elaborate about the offerings and how they were necessary for God’s anointed, the Levites, to do the work of maintaining the tabernacle as well as the system of worship which God had established. All of this has interesting parallels with how important are Christians give our free-will offerings to God’s established New Covenant Tabernacle – the Church. And the offering of God’s people, in and through God’s Church today, is certainly a much overlooked and devalued part of our life of worship as Christians, … wouldn’t you agree?
However, it was not until I got to the last verse in Chapter 7 of Numbers that God seem to highlight what His word was saying to me today. And that’s the reason why I’ve copied Verse 89 of Chapter 7 in bold relief above. And I believe God was communicating to me (well, maybe not in actual words, but very definitely in meditative interpretation), something like … “Bill, I live in the Tabernacle of your heart; and I want to commune with you there every moment of your life. I’m here for you; and you can know Me through My inspired word.” … Yep, … that’s what I got from verse 89 this morning!
Moses came into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle; and he heard God speak to him. I come to my God every day in my “Tent of Meetings,” i.e., my heart; and God speaks to me. Oh, for sure, God doesn’t commune with me in the same way He spoke to Moses – who probably heard God speaking … even audibly (that had to have been impressive, don’t you think?!).
May I give my witness of testimony as to how God communes with me in the Tabernacle of my heart? For example, … my time with Him this morning was very much like it is almost every morning when I genuinely come to my special, quiet place to be alone with my God, pursuing His wisdom, His will, and His way for my life by delving into His word. And everyday, as I dig into His word – that repository of God’s mind and wisdom – I pray for Him to reveal more of Himself to me through His word. If you’re following along with me in my daily journaling, it may seem like what I’m doing, ie.., the discipline of this study of the word of God, may seem artificial and contrived – i.e., a chronological reading plan. However, there is NOTHING contrived about every “jot and tittle” of God’s word. Our Bible is all of what is promised and proposed in Isaiah 55: 11 and 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17. And if you’ve ever mediated through all of Psalm 119 and Job, chapter 28, you know that digging deeply into God’s word will reveal the very mind of God and produce for us gems of wisdom which are beyond human value. As the Mastercard commercial touts … “PRICELESS!!!”
So, when I Tabernacle with my God every day – yes, every morning – I know, like Moses must’ve known in faith, that our omnipotent/omniscient God is going to be there to speak to me, to reveal Himself, to give me His light and His love directly through His word. And like He did this very morning, when I read, study, and meditate on His word, portions of His masterwork jump out at me, giving me insights into God Himself or shining a light on my path as is promised in Psalm 119: 105.
Delving into God’s word and drilling it into my heart, helps to arm me for the battles of life, sharpening my Spirit-sword (see Eph. 6: 17 and Heb. 4: 12.
Getting God’s word into my mind with discipline and diligence – in faith – helps me to become confident in knowing God’s way and being successful in carrying out God’s will. That’s the 2nd Tim. 3: 17principle which God taught Joshua after Moses had died (see Joshua 1: 8). I want to be successful in following my God as Jesus commanded in Luke 9: 23; and that will only allow me to avoid sin and selfishness in my life IF I bury God’s word so deeply in my heart so as to root out my sin nature (see Psalm 119: 9-11).
And how did I know the powerful direction of all of those verses which I’ve referenced above? Well, they have become part of me; and when I come under pressure, they well up in my consciousness to give me strength and peace and power. That’s why I keep coming back for re-consecration - daily - to the Tabernacle which resides in my heart and which is blessed even further by my giving my offering of will and work so as to keep the Temple pure and empowered.
That is what Moses experienced by going to commune with God in the Lord’s consecrated Holy of Holies; and that is what I experience when I come to be with God – in His word – every day in this quiet place in my heart where God resides. And I pray that for you, too!
My Prayer Today: … Lord, thank You for being here ever day when I come to be with You in Your word. Amen
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
February 1, 2012 … Miracles Or The Message?
Blogger's Note: Continuing on with the chronological reading plan through the Bible this year (found in www.youversion.com for those who desire to following along). Now it's day 32 - in February, getting to know God more through His truth-filled word.
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Exodus, Chapters 7-9 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Exodus 7: 10-13: … [God Speaks, … Man Can’t Hear] ... 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
My Journal for Today: In my chronological reading plan today [Day 32, BTW], I’m taken to the accounts in Exodus of Moses encountering Pharaoh with one miracle event after another, beginning with the one copied above where Aaron’s staff became a snake. And if you’ve studied these miracle plagues which God used to communicate His message of deliverance through Moses/Aaron to Pharaoh, we know that each plague/miracle was a message to the Egyptian king and the people in Egypt that their gods were impotent to overcome God and His plan of deliverance. In each instance, from the simple snake illustration to other more elaborate and horrifying plagues, God was saying to Pharaoh, “You’ve got nothing to overcome Me … because ‘I AM’ !”
Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t do a similar gig in these times to show the rulers of the word that things have gotten way out of hand and that God’s people, the Church, are being enslaved by the world and Satan’s schemes? I used to wonder that early in my Christian life; but then God showed me, through HIS-STORY and His word, that we have all the truth this world needs; and we don’t need plagues and wondrous miracles to either establish or bolster our faith. We have THE MESSAGE in the established and canonized WORD OF GOD, the Bible, which carries all the truth we need to know the great I AM and to live according to His will.
Why would I, if I had a hardened heart, like Pharaoh, need anything more that the truth of 2nd Timothy 3: 16 – 17, … and Isaiah 55: 11, … and John 3: 16, … and Phil. 2: 6-11, and Romans 10: 9 – 13 to establish me in faith or to help me to decide the truth of Hebrews 11: 1, 6. I hope you know God’s communication of truth from that chain of messages from the Bible I’ve listed here. If not, I’ll leave it to you to go back, read, and meditate on them. But in a nutshell, these passages say, from God’s word (i.e., Scripture), all we need to know God’s purposes and His plan for our lives; and when we know and believe that truth, God’s love was made complete in the life , death, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, … that whomever believes in what He did for us on the cross and by His resurrection, … that one will have eternal life.
It’s all there! We don’t need any wondrous miracle or a series of plagues to know God’s message of salvation and His plan of sanctification, … do we? We have the MIRACLE of His word, His MESSAGE, to establish His plan of salvation and His plan of truth for our lives. Oh, there was a time in my life (in fact for the first 39 years) which I was like Pharaoh, … hard hearted, hearing Spirit-led Christians giving witness to God’s truth and His word, but like Pharaoh, summarily rejecting God’s message which was being transmitted to me through His word. But finally, also like Pharaoh, a series of life challenges helped me to receive and believe the truth of His message in His word. But unlike Pharaoh, I was able to humble myself and receive the truth of God’s plan for my life; and I was saved.
I hope – and pray – that anyone who might read this can allow the “plagues” of life circumstance [those are the MIRACLES] to break through and allow you to see that God wants you to get His MESSAGE, from His word, to give you the gift of His saving grace. Yes, we today do have MIRACLES – even plagues - in life to help us see and receive God’s MESSAGE; but it is the MESSAGE, from His word, which carries God’s truth, not the MIRACLES.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I know You through Your MESSAGE of truth from Your word; and I’m bolstered to know You more through the MIRACLES of life which bring me back to Your MESSAGE. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Exodus, Chapters 7-9 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Exodus 7: 10-13: … [God Speaks, … Man Can’t Hear] ... 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
My Journal for Today: In my chronological reading plan today [Day 32, BTW], I’m taken to the accounts in Exodus of Moses encountering Pharaoh with one miracle event after another, beginning with the one copied above where Aaron’s staff became a snake. And if you’ve studied these miracle plagues which God used to communicate His message of deliverance through Moses/Aaron to Pharaoh, we know that each plague/miracle was a message to the Egyptian king and the people in Egypt that their gods were impotent to overcome God and His plan of deliverance. In each instance, from the simple snake illustration to other more elaborate and horrifying plagues, God was saying to Pharaoh, “You’ve got nothing to overcome Me … because ‘I AM’ !”
Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t do a similar gig in these times to show the rulers of the word that things have gotten way out of hand and that God’s people, the Church, are being enslaved by the world and Satan’s schemes? I used to wonder that early in my Christian life; but then God showed me, through HIS-STORY and His word, that we have all the truth this world needs; and we don’t need plagues and wondrous miracles to either establish or bolster our faith. We have THE MESSAGE in the established and canonized WORD OF GOD, the Bible, which carries all the truth we need to know the great I AM and to live according to His will.
Why would I, if I had a hardened heart, like Pharaoh, need anything more that the truth of 2nd Timothy 3: 16 – 17, … and Isaiah 55: 11, … and John 3: 16, … and Phil. 2: 6-11, and Romans 10: 9 – 13 to establish me in faith or to help me to decide the truth of Hebrews 11: 1, 6. I hope you know God’s communication of truth from that chain of messages from the Bible I’ve listed here. If not, I’ll leave it to you to go back, read, and meditate on them. But in a nutshell, these passages say, from God’s word (i.e., Scripture), all we need to know God’s purposes and His plan for our lives; and when we know and believe that truth, God’s love was made complete in the life , death, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, … that whomever believes in what He did for us on the cross and by His resurrection, … that one will have eternal life.
It’s all there! We don’t need any wondrous miracle or a series of plagues to know God’s message of salvation and His plan of sanctification, … do we? We have the MIRACLE of His word, His MESSAGE, to establish His plan of salvation and His plan of truth for our lives. Oh, there was a time in my life (in fact for the first 39 years) which I was like Pharaoh, … hard hearted, hearing Spirit-led Christians giving witness to God’s truth and His word, but like Pharaoh, summarily rejecting God’s message which was being transmitted to me through His word. But finally, also like Pharaoh, a series of life challenges helped me to receive and believe the truth of His message in His word. But unlike Pharaoh, I was able to humble myself and receive the truth of God’s plan for my life; and I was saved.
I hope – and pray – that anyone who might read this can allow the “plagues” of life circumstance [those are the MIRACLES] to break through and allow you to see that God wants you to get His MESSAGE, from His word, to give you the gift of His saving grace. Yes, we today do have MIRACLES – even plagues - in life to help us see and receive God’s MESSAGE; but it is the MESSAGE, from His word, which carries God’s truth, not the MIRACLES.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I know You through Your MESSAGE of truth from Your word; and I’m bolstered to know You more through the MIRACLES of life which bring me back to Your MESSAGE. Amen
Saturday, January 21, 2012
January 21, 2012 … The Consequences of Sinful Impatience
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Genesis, Chapters 27-29 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Genesis 27: 21-25: … [“Oh The Web We Weave When We Practice to Deceive”] ...
21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” 22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. 24 “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. >>>> “I am,” he [Jacob] replied. 25 Then he [Isaac] said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.”
My Journal for Today: Wow! The read through Chapters 27-29 of Genesis in my chronological read through the Bible – today, Day 21 – was rich with information of interest and personal application; but I’ve chosen to focus this day on the story in Genesis 27 of Jacob’s plot, along with his mother, Rebekah, to masquerade himself as his hairy brother, Esau, and to con their father into giving him the family inheritance blessing. Once received, this blessing, in the culture of the day, was irrevocable; and so Rebekah, wanting her second son to receive the blessing, hatched the plot, which was agreed to by Jacob, to deceive the old, blind father Isaac. You can certainly have read or can read the story in depth by going through Chapter 27 in Genesis.
But once again just as Jacob’s grandmother, Sarah, had done years before, Rebekah, knowing directly of God’s promise to allow Jacob receive the blessing (see Genesis 25: 24), just like Sarai did by giving Hagar to Abram, forged ahead of God’s timing and decided that she would expedite God’s plan with her own scheme. And to the old saying, which I’m sure you readers have heard, may I add just a couple of words. It goes … (with my additions). “Oh the [messed-up] web we weave, when we practice to deceive [God].”
And that’s what happened when Rebekah didn’t [or couldn’t] wait on God to lead her in HIS plan to give the covenant promise to Jacob (later to become “Israel”). When she came up with her own plan, forging ahead of God’s timing, the web of deceit which she and her son, Jacob, who was in compliance with the plan, led to a whole series of messy, messy events, … all of which could have been avoided by waiting on God.
Today in reading my Parsons Commentary, it reviewed the series of consequences of the sin of Rebekah’s and Jacob’s impatience. And here they are, quoted from the commentary: “(1) He [Jacob] never saw his mother again; (2) his brother [Esau] wanted to kill him; (3) he was deceived by his uncle, Laban; (4) his family became torn by strife; (5) Esau became the founder of an enemy nation; (6) he was exiled from his family for years.” And as the commentary also pointed out: “Imagine how different his [Jacob’s] life would have been had he and his mother waited for God to work his way, in his time!” … Who knows, … perhaps Jacob would never have had to wrestle with God later for God’s blessing [see Genesis 32] if he and his mom had not been disobediently impatient and conned old, blind Isaac into giving the family blessing to his younger son … to whom God had promised would receive the blessing anyway.
I’ve covered this earlier this year; but it bears repeating, by asking: “How often do we in our pride or arrogance either don’t seek out God’s will or HIS way by digging into His word; … or by just forging ahead in pridefulness and moving ahead – on our own strength and perceive direction – without ever consulting God in prayer and Bible confirmation, how may problems do we create? I’m afraid I must say that it has happened all too often in my past, especially when I was anxious or fearful, given circumstance which required me to make a critical directional decision in my life.
How about you?
Well, I wont’ go into my solution (or should I say “God’s solution”] in depth here; but I do now have a protocol which I believe God’s Spirit gave me to go through, seeking God’s peace when I have a “scheme” to solve important problems or dilemmas. My paradigm involves the truth and promise in Philippians 4: 6-7; and if you want to know how my planning tool from this truth always works, just email me (at billb13@bellsouth.net or willieb13@rocketmail.com ]; and I’ll be glad to send you a planning protocol which will always keep you from getting ahead of God’s way and fasten you into His will by using His word. And with that I’ll shut down this time with you today.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to stay in Your timing, ALWAYS following Your way in Your timing and after seeking consultation with You from Your word. Amen
Genesis 27: 21-25: … [“Oh The Web We Weave When We Practice to Deceive”] ...
21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” 22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. 24 “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. >>>> “I am,” he [Jacob] replied. 25 Then he [Isaac] said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.”
My Journal for Today: Wow! The read through Chapters 27-29 of Genesis in my chronological read through the Bible – today, Day 21 – was rich with information of interest and personal application; but I’ve chosen to focus this day on the story in Genesis 27 of Jacob’s plot, along with his mother, Rebekah, to masquerade himself as his hairy brother, Esau, and to con their father into giving him the family inheritance blessing. Once received, this blessing, in the culture of the day, was irrevocable; and so Rebekah, wanting her second son to receive the blessing, hatched the plot, which was agreed to by Jacob, to deceive the old, blind father Isaac. You can certainly have read or can read the story in depth by going through Chapter 27 in Genesis.
But once again just as Jacob’s grandmother, Sarah, had done years before, Rebekah, knowing directly of God’s promise to allow Jacob receive the blessing (see Genesis 25: 24), just like Sarai did by giving Hagar to Abram, forged ahead of God’s timing and decided that she would expedite God’s plan with her own scheme. And to the old saying, which I’m sure you readers have heard, may I add just a couple of words. It goes … (with my additions). “Oh the [messed-up] web we weave, when we practice to deceive [God].”
And that’s what happened when Rebekah didn’t [or couldn’t] wait on God to lead her in HIS plan to give the covenant promise to Jacob (later to become “Israel”). When she came up with her own plan, forging ahead of God’s timing, the web of deceit which she and her son, Jacob, who was in compliance with the plan, led to a whole series of messy, messy events, … all of which could have been avoided by waiting on God.
Today in reading my Parsons Commentary, it reviewed the series of consequences of the sin of Rebekah’s and Jacob’s impatience. And here they are, quoted from the commentary: “(1) He [Jacob] never saw his mother again; (2) his brother [Esau] wanted to kill him; (3) he was deceived by his uncle, Laban; (4) his family became torn by strife; (5) Esau became the founder of an enemy nation; (6) he was exiled from his family for years.” And as the commentary also pointed out: “Imagine how different his [Jacob’s] life would have been had he and his mother waited for God to work his way, in his time!” … Who knows, … perhaps Jacob would never have had to wrestle with God later for God’s blessing [see Genesis 32] if he and his mom had not been disobediently impatient and conned old, blind Isaac into giving the family blessing to his younger son … to whom God had promised would receive the blessing anyway.
I’ve covered this earlier this year; but it bears repeating, by asking: “How often do we in our pride or arrogance either don’t seek out God’s will or HIS way by digging into His word; … or by just forging ahead in pridefulness and moving ahead – on our own strength and perceive direction – without ever consulting God in prayer and Bible confirmation, how may problems do we create? I’m afraid I must say that it has happened all too often in my past, especially when I was anxious or fearful, given circumstance which required me to make a critical directional decision in my life.
How about you?
Well, I wont’ go into my solution (or should I say “God’s solution”] in depth here; but I do now have a protocol which I believe God’s Spirit gave me to go through, seeking God’s peace when I have a “scheme” to solve important problems or dilemmas. My paradigm involves the truth and promise in Philippians 4: 6-7; and if you want to know how my planning tool from this truth always works, just email me (at billb13@bellsouth.net or willieb13@rocketmail.com ]; and I’ll be glad to send you a planning protocol which will always keep you from getting ahead of God’s way and fasten you into His will by using His word. And with that I’ll shut down this time with you today.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to stay in Your timing, ALWAYS following Your way in Your timing and after seeking consultation with You from Your word. Amen
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
January 3, 2012 … Communication: God’s Vehicle of Humility
Passage of the Day: Reading Plan Reference – Day 3 … Genesis, Chapter 8 – 11 … Study Scripture Reference: Genesis 11: 1-8 NIV … 1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.6 The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
My Journal for Today: It’s DAY 3 of my chronological journey through the Bible; and I’m getting into God’s dealings with His sin-ridden children as they came out of the big flood with God imparting His covenant with Noah. But as we read in Chapters 8 – 11 of Genesis, God’s people, the ones remaining after the cleansing flood, reverted to their sinful and prideful ways; and God had to use another vehicle to bring mankind into submission; and to do this, as we read in today’s passage above from Genesis, chapter 11, God used the vehicle of verbal communication to humble mankind and prevent them from getting too prideful.
As mankind came out of the tower-building episode in Babel, God scattered His children all over the world, causing them to speak in varied and regionalized tongues. And being a speech pathologist during most of my adult, income-producing life, I’ve always been intrigued by God’s strategy to humble mankind, choosing to keep the various tribes and people groupings separated as much by language differences or through communication barriers as through geographic differences.
When we look at any human difficulty in interaction, where is usually the heart of the brokenness? It’s poor communication, isn’t it? The number one force which breaks up marriages is communication difficulties. … When people try to settle their differences in court, what is the vehicle of advocacy by the lawyers? It’s verbal communication. … When there are fighting wars between peoples, why do they use bombs to communicate? It’s because they can’t communicate with words. … And when we have difficulty interacting with any of our friends, let alone our enemies, what is the primary reason? Well, it’s our prideful use of words which creates a barrier of brokenness in our relationships.
ALWAYS, when relationships between individuals, institutions, and/or countries are broken down, it is a brokenness and pridefulness of verbal communication that has been at the heart of the brokenness; and it will only be through a humbling of the words which will heal the brokenness or bring a repair of the interaction between God’s people. And I believe that is why the Apostle Paul wrote, when he was trying to get God’s church in Ephesus to heal the brokenness which had erupted in that church, WORDS of exhortation about how man should use verbal communication. He wrote the following God-inspired verbal directive concerning verbal communication.
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Ephesians 4: 29 … Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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We humans, just like those who were scattered from Babel, have this incurable disorder of pridefulness to deal with in interacting with one another. And when pride expresses itself, it is almost always is done through the vehicle of verbal communication, which either exacerbates the interaction distances or exercises healing in bringing peoples back together. God has given mankind free will; but only when we freely find and use Godly, humble words to communication will we, as God’s children, be able to express God’s love to one another.
When you read Paul’s exhortation from Eph. 4: 29 above – from God using HIS WORDS to us – what does it simply and clearly say to us about how we should communicate verbally to one another? … Well, to me it says, … If I communicate with you, I NEVER should use words which are disruptive or words of mal-intent. Instead I MUST use words which either build you up or give you grace – God’s grace. In other WORDS, … if it doesn’t edify you or express God’s loving grace to you, I should not say it! Because if I do, I’m only babbling (interesting term in that communication difficulties resulted from pridefulness in “Babel”) selfish pridefulness, which will always bring brokenness to relationships.
So, today, DAY 3, of my trek chronologically through God’s word, He used HIS WORD to say to me that MY WORDS are important … and that I must humbly seek to use them to edify others and to communicate God’s grace into my interaction with others.
May we all take heed to God’s word about our words.
My Prayer Today: Lord, help me use my words to reflect Your Word. … Amen
3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.6 The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
My Journal for Today: It’s DAY 3 of my chronological journey through the Bible; and I’m getting into God’s dealings with His sin-ridden children as they came out of the big flood with God imparting His covenant with Noah. But as we read in Chapters 8 – 11 of Genesis, God’s people, the ones remaining after the cleansing flood, reverted to their sinful and prideful ways; and God had to use another vehicle to bring mankind into submission; and to do this, as we read in today’s passage above from Genesis, chapter 11, God used the vehicle of verbal communication to humble mankind and prevent them from getting too prideful.
As mankind came out of the tower-building episode in Babel, God scattered His children all over the world, causing them to speak in varied and regionalized tongues. And being a speech pathologist during most of my adult, income-producing life, I’ve always been intrigued by God’s strategy to humble mankind, choosing to keep the various tribes and people groupings separated as much by language differences or through communication barriers as through geographic differences.
When we look at any human difficulty in interaction, where is usually the heart of the brokenness? It’s poor communication, isn’t it? The number one force which breaks up marriages is communication difficulties. … When people try to settle their differences in court, what is the vehicle of advocacy by the lawyers? It’s verbal communication. … When there are fighting wars between peoples, why do they use bombs to communicate? It’s because they can’t communicate with words. … And when we have difficulty interacting with any of our friends, let alone our enemies, what is the primary reason? Well, it’s our prideful use of words which creates a barrier of brokenness in our relationships.
ALWAYS, when relationships between individuals, institutions, and/or countries are broken down, it is a brokenness and pridefulness of verbal communication that has been at the heart of the brokenness; and it will only be through a humbling of the words which will heal the brokenness or bring a repair of the interaction between God’s people. And I believe that is why the Apostle Paul wrote, when he was trying to get God’s church in Ephesus to heal the brokenness which had erupted in that church, WORDS of exhortation about how man should use verbal communication. He wrote the following God-inspired verbal directive concerning verbal communication.
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Ephesians 4: 29 … Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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We humans, just like those who were scattered from Babel, have this incurable disorder of pridefulness to deal with in interacting with one another. And when pride expresses itself, it is almost always is done through the vehicle of verbal communication, which either exacerbates the interaction distances or exercises healing in bringing peoples back together. God has given mankind free will; but only when we freely find and use Godly, humble words to communication will we, as God’s children, be able to express God’s love to one another.
When you read Paul’s exhortation from Eph. 4: 29 above – from God using HIS WORDS to us – what does it simply and clearly say to us about how we should communicate verbally to one another? … Well, to me it says, … If I communicate with you, I NEVER should use words which are disruptive or words of mal-intent. Instead I MUST use words which either build you up or give you grace – God’s grace. In other WORDS, … if it doesn’t edify you or express God’s loving grace to you, I should not say it! Because if I do, I’m only babbling (interesting term in that communication difficulties resulted from pridefulness in “Babel”) selfish pridefulness, which will always bring brokenness to relationships.
So, today, DAY 3, of my trek chronologically through God’s word, He used HIS WORD to say to me that MY WORDS are important … and that I must humbly seek to use them to edify others and to communicate God’s grace into my interaction with others.
May we all take heed to God’s word about our words.
My Prayer Today: Lord, help me use my words to reflect Your Word. … Amen
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11, 2011 … The Spirit and God’s Will
[Sober remembrance of 9 - 11 - 01! – Ten Years Ago!] …
Passage of the Day: Ezekiel 36: 27 [see bold, underlined verse in context] … [God through the Prophet to Israel] 26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. … ”
My Journal for Today: There is no doubt, when one carefully studies both the Old and New Testaments, that the Holy Spirit has a pertinent, practical, and powerful ministry to shine God’s light on His will for His people (which is stated to Israel by God through His Prophet, Ezekiel, in today’s verse, but applies to all of God’s people by extension). Today’s verse, as well as Isaiah 63: 11 – 14, both written centuries before Pentecost, where God’s Spirit was given by God to His New Covenant Church, clearly indicate that it has been God’s purpose [i.e., His will], to guide all of His people to His way and to protect them through their (our) obedience to His will. And now, beyond Israel and His Old Covenant promises, God’s Spirit has been imparted to all believers to give all of His children clear direction and the covering of His power (see Romans 8: 14).
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is God’s light, shining on His path of righteousness to insure that His faithful and obedient followers would see His way clearly and follow His path (see Ps. 119: 105 – I hope you have that one memorized!). And as long as we, who are His followers (see another memorable verse Luke 9: 23), search for His light, trusting it from His Spirit, God will lead us on the right path (and a third verse we all should have in our hearts … Prov. 3: 5 – 6).
Are you, as I am, a follower of Christ – i.e., one of His disciples? If you respond affirmatively to that question, I would think that you would be feeling the weight of conviction, as am I, from God’s Spirit in this moment (and that is God, the Holy Spirit, shining His light on your - our - path). Therefore, we must ask ourselves how God can and will shine His light more clearly on our path; and the answer to that is through the Spirit’s most clearly defined source of light, … His Holy Word! If one believes the truth of 2nd Tim. 3: 16 – 17 as well as the reality of Isaiah 55: 11 and all of Psalm 119, you will believe as I do, that we Christians can best find God, the Holy Spirit, leading us by the light of His truth in and through His word. And when we do delve into God’s word, searching for His light, God will be there in the Person of His Spirit edifying and enlightening us to His will through His word.
My Prayer Today: Even now as I search your word, Lord, shine Your light on my path, precious Spirit! Amen
Passage of the Day: Ezekiel 36: 27 [see bold, underlined verse in context] … [God through the Prophet to Israel] 26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. … ”
My Journal for Today: There is no doubt, when one carefully studies both the Old and New Testaments, that the Holy Spirit has a pertinent, practical, and powerful ministry to shine God’s light on His will for His people (which is stated to Israel by God through His Prophet, Ezekiel, in today’s verse, but applies to all of God’s people by extension). Today’s verse, as well as Isaiah 63: 11 – 14, both written centuries before Pentecost, where God’s Spirit was given by God to His New Covenant Church, clearly indicate that it has been God’s purpose [i.e., His will], to guide all of His people to His way and to protect them through their (our) obedience to His will. And now, beyond Israel and His Old Covenant promises, God’s Spirit has been imparted to all believers to give all of His children clear direction and the covering of His power (see Romans 8: 14).
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is God’s light, shining on His path of righteousness to insure that His faithful and obedient followers would see His way clearly and follow His path (see Ps. 119: 105 – I hope you have that one memorized!). And as long as we, who are His followers (see another memorable verse Luke 9: 23), search for His light, trusting it from His Spirit, God will lead us on the right path (and a third verse we all should have in our hearts … Prov. 3: 5 – 6).
Are you, as I am, a follower of Christ – i.e., one of His disciples? If you respond affirmatively to that question, I would think that you would be feeling the weight of conviction, as am I, from God’s Spirit in this moment (and that is God, the Holy Spirit, shining His light on your - our - path). Therefore, we must ask ourselves how God can and will shine His light more clearly on our path; and the answer to that is through the Spirit’s most clearly defined source of light, … His Holy Word! If one believes the truth of 2nd Tim. 3: 16 – 17 as well as the reality of Isaiah 55: 11 and all of Psalm 119, you will believe as I do, that we Christians can best find God, the Holy Spirit, leading us by the light of His truth in and through His word. And when we do delve into God’s word, searching for His light, God will be there in the Person of His Spirit edifying and enlightening us to His will through His word.
My Prayer Today: Even now as I search your word, Lord, shine Your light on my path, precious Spirit! Amen
Sunday, July 18, 2010
2010 – July 18 – No Wasted Words
Study from God’s Word… Isaiah 54 - 56 … Passage for Reflection: Isaiah 55: 10 – 11 … NIV 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
My Journal for Today: Did you know that verse 11 of today’s passage in Isaiah 55 is the hallmark and foundational verse of the Gideons International ministry. This incredible ministry, founded in 1899, has had an impact on the world only measured by God’s Spirit. Here is a statement from their website ( www.gideons.org ), which speaks of their mission:
• The mission of The Gideons International is to win the lost for Christ, and our unique method is the distribution of Scripture in selected streams of life. Gideons have placed or distributed more than 1.3 billion complete Bibles and New Testaments in more than 180 countries around the world . . . so far. Having God's Word can lead people to faith in Christ, and we invite you to explore this website to learn more about The Gideons and how you can help us provide God's Word.
The mission and outcomes of the Gideons are not a mystery as we read the power of truth coming from today’s highlight passage; because anytime the truth of God’s word is shared, preached, or taught anywhere where God’s will has the Lord’s direction, it will never come up void.
As Dr. Smith points out today, it can be frustrating sharing God’s truth, the Gospel, with those where it seems to be falling on deaf ears. We know from Jesus’ three parables, stated in Luke 15, that it is most certainly God’s desire that none be lost; and we also know that we, His Church, have been charged (by the Great Commission in Matt. 28: 19-20) to share the gospel message with all the world. Therefore, anytime we share the truth from God’s very word, especially the Gospel, no matter what may seem to be the human reaction – or lack thereof – we can know from today’s promise that our sharing, from God’s very word, was NOT for naught.
The Gideons have it right, my friend. God’s word is powerful, … very, very powerful, … much more powerful than it may appear to the human condition and circumstances [see Hebrews 4: 12]. That is why God charged Joshua, as we read in Joshua 1:8 to stay in “the Book of the Law” day and night as Joshua carried out God’s will to take His people into the promised land; because God was telling Joshua, as He’s telling us today, that anytime we declare or share the word of God for HIS mission on earth, it will be the power we need for success to God’s task. So, I charge you to go and memorize Joshua 1: 8 and internalize it’s truth; and then act on it for God’s glory!
Almost daily, if not weekly, in ministry to men who have trouble with human weakness in avoiding sin, I tell them the truth of Psalm 119: 11, which is a sinner who states, Your word I have in my heart that I might sin against You. Often in discipleship, I end up encouraging Christians to become more discerning by letting God’s word shine a light on their path (see Ps. 119: 105). And all too often I have to keep reminding myself that the only way I’m going to be able to avoid being conformed to the world, as was Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12: 2, is to surrender and let God’s Spirit transform my mind through the power of His word.
So, my dear one, I pray today that we all, who know Christ as Lord and Savior, keep trumpeting the truths of God from God’s Holy Word; and when we do, His power will blast forward for His purposes no matter what we may see – or not see – in the reactions of others. Keep on, keeping on, my friend … God’s word for His glory!!!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help those who share with me here today to see that Your word is our sword in battle! Amen
My Journal for Today: Did you know that verse 11 of today’s passage in Isaiah 55 is the hallmark and foundational verse of the Gideons International ministry. This incredible ministry, founded in 1899, has had an impact on the world only measured by God’s Spirit. Here is a statement from their website ( www.gideons.org ), which speaks of their mission:
• The mission of The Gideons International is to win the lost for Christ, and our unique method is the distribution of Scripture in selected streams of life. Gideons have placed or distributed more than 1.3 billion complete Bibles and New Testaments in more than 180 countries around the world . . . so far. Having God's Word can lead people to faith in Christ, and we invite you to explore this website to learn more about The Gideons and how you can help us provide God's Word.
The mission and outcomes of the Gideons are not a mystery as we read the power of truth coming from today’s highlight passage; because anytime the truth of God’s word is shared, preached, or taught anywhere where God’s will has the Lord’s direction, it will never come up void.
As Dr. Smith points out today, it can be frustrating sharing God’s truth, the Gospel, with those where it seems to be falling on deaf ears. We know from Jesus’ three parables, stated in Luke 15, that it is most certainly God’s desire that none be lost; and we also know that we, His Church, have been charged (by the Great Commission in Matt. 28: 19-20) to share the gospel message with all the world. Therefore, anytime we share the truth from God’s very word, especially the Gospel, no matter what may seem to be the human reaction – or lack thereof – we can know from today’s promise that our sharing, from God’s very word, was NOT for naught.
The Gideons have it right, my friend. God’s word is powerful, … very, very powerful, … much more powerful than it may appear to the human condition and circumstances [see Hebrews 4: 12]. That is why God charged Joshua, as we read in Joshua 1:8 to stay in “the Book of the Law” day and night as Joshua carried out God’s will to take His people into the promised land; because God was telling Joshua, as He’s telling us today, that anytime we declare or share the word of God for HIS mission on earth, it will be the power we need for success to God’s task. So, I charge you to go and memorize Joshua 1: 8 and internalize it’s truth; and then act on it for God’s glory!
Almost daily, if not weekly, in ministry to men who have trouble with human weakness in avoiding sin, I tell them the truth of Psalm 119: 11, which is a sinner who states, Your word I have in my heart that I might sin against You. Often in discipleship, I end up encouraging Christians to become more discerning by letting God’s word shine a light on their path (see Ps. 119: 105). And all too often I have to keep reminding myself that the only way I’m going to be able to avoid being conformed to the world, as was Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12: 2, is to surrender and let God’s Spirit transform my mind through the power of His word.
So, my dear one, I pray today that we all, who know Christ as Lord and Savior, keep trumpeting the truths of God from God’s Holy Word; and when we do, His power will blast forward for His purposes no matter what we may see – or not see – in the reactions of others. Keep on, keeping on, my friend … God’s word for His glory!!!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help those who share with me here today to see that Your word is our sword in battle! Amen
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
2009 – Day 131.May 12 – God Cares
2009 – Day 131.May 12 – God Cares
Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 6: 1 – 9 … Link to passage for study …
My Journal for Today: When some people read a passage like this one today, they might think that it illustrates a heartless God; but the opposite is the point in this passage. God does care; and as long as we care about what God has clearly spelled out are His cares, i.e., His will, as He had in His decrees about the Arc of the Covenant, we can know that our hearts and actions are in accord with His will; and we will be blessed. However, if we, as did Uzzah in this passage, breech God’s will, the consequences can be dire – even to the point of death. Uzzah, not being a Levite, touched the untouchable; and the penalty had been clearly defined by God’s decree; and Uzzah died.
And we also see an interesting point of humanity from David in this passage, who showed a moment of displaced anger toward God when Uzzah was stricken dead. I personally think David, “the man after God’s own heart,” knew that he should have not let such an incident happen. David should have done his homework and insured that only Levites would be within touching distance of the Arc. But because of David’s haste, a man died needlessly; and I believe that David’s misplaced anger reflected his own actions and lack of studied care for which God had declared His care.
Have you ever been careless and thoughtless; and your thoughtless actions caused someone else to be hurt? And in that moment of realization, it’s easy to get mad at others or even God, when, in point of fact, it is you who was at fault. This was really David’s fault in the moment God struck down Uzzah. Yes, as Swindoll points out, David was a “man after God’s own heart;” but he was not a perfect man; and even his imperfect anger reflected a misplaced heart for God’s perfection and for His declared word.
Swindoll helps his readers, in this case yours truly, to see that we need to KNOW in our minds and hearts what God cares for. And where do we learn that? Well, the answer to that one is “Duh !!” The answer, of course, is that we know God and His will from His word.
So, what does that imply? It means, if we’re to have a heart for God, we must have an intentional heart for God’s truth, which is found in His word, … the Bible. So, I return to a verse which often rings true when we look for God’s desire that we succeed and prosper in caring for what God cares for; and that passage is found in Joshua 1: 8, linked here for you. … [And I really hope you have memorized this one!]
If you’ve been reading along with me through this study of the life of David, I hope you’ve picked up on one of the main recurring themes, pointing believers toward God’s word as the source for knowing God and His will for our lives. Dear one, we cannot, and will not, know God or His will for our lives if we choose to ignore God’s word. It’s that simple; and if we choose to prioritize other things in our lives above investing diligent time studying God through His word, we just might suffer some dire consequences, like others being hurt because WE ignore God’s will.
My friend(s), sin leads to death; and choosing to ignore God and His truth, is sin. I’ll leave it to you to decide if you want to cause the death of a Uzzah because you chose to worship idols rather than to worship God through His word. My heart is for God; and I pray that I internalize this message that my God wants me to be pursuing Him through His word.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I get the message; and I am here today pursuing You through Your word. Amen
Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 6: 1 – 9 … Link to passage for study …
My Journal for Today: When some people read a passage like this one today, they might think that it illustrates a heartless God; but the opposite is the point in this passage. God does care; and as long as we care about what God has clearly spelled out are His cares, i.e., His will, as He had in His decrees about the Arc of the Covenant, we can know that our hearts and actions are in accord with His will; and we will be blessed. However, if we, as did Uzzah in this passage, breech God’s will, the consequences can be dire – even to the point of death. Uzzah, not being a Levite, touched the untouchable; and the penalty had been clearly defined by God’s decree; and Uzzah died.
And we also see an interesting point of humanity from David in this passage, who showed a moment of displaced anger toward God when Uzzah was stricken dead. I personally think David, “the man after God’s own heart,” knew that he should have not let such an incident happen. David should have done his homework and insured that only Levites would be within touching distance of the Arc. But because of David’s haste, a man died needlessly; and I believe that David’s misplaced anger reflected his own actions and lack of studied care for which God had declared His care.
Have you ever been careless and thoughtless; and your thoughtless actions caused someone else to be hurt? And in that moment of realization, it’s easy to get mad at others or even God, when, in point of fact, it is you who was at fault. This was really David’s fault in the moment God struck down Uzzah. Yes, as Swindoll points out, David was a “man after God’s own heart;” but he was not a perfect man; and even his imperfect anger reflected a misplaced heart for God’s perfection and for His declared word.
Swindoll helps his readers, in this case yours truly, to see that we need to KNOW in our minds and hearts what God cares for. And where do we learn that? Well, the answer to that one is “Duh !!” The answer, of course, is that we know God and His will from His word.
So, what does that imply? It means, if we’re to have a heart for God, we must have an intentional heart for God’s truth, which is found in His word, … the Bible. So, I return to a verse which often rings true when we look for God’s desire that we succeed and prosper in caring for what God cares for; and that passage is found in Joshua 1: 8, linked here for you. … [And I really hope you have memorized this one!]
If you’ve been reading along with me through this study of the life of David, I hope you’ve picked up on one of the main recurring themes, pointing believers toward God’s word as the source for knowing God and His will for our lives. Dear one, we cannot, and will not, know God or His will for our lives if we choose to ignore God’s word. It’s that simple; and if we choose to prioritize other things in our lives above investing diligent time studying God through His word, we just might suffer some dire consequences, like others being hurt because WE ignore God’s will.
My friend(s), sin leads to death; and choosing to ignore God and His truth, is sin. I’ll leave it to you to decide if you want to cause the death of a Uzzah because you chose to worship idols rather than to worship God through His word. My heart is for God; and I pray that I internalize this message that my God wants me to be pursuing Him through His word.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I get the message; and I am here today pursuing You through Your word. Amen
Monday, April 06, 2009
2009 – Day 95.Apr. 6 – God of Every Detail
2009 – Day 95.Apr. 6 – God of Every Detail
Passage of the Day: Numbers 27: 12 – 23 … Link to study passage …
Also Deuteronomy 34: 9 … Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
My Journal for Today: I totally agree with Chuck Swindoll today, always standing in amazement as to how God’s word, written in 66 books, by 44 authors, in three languages, over 3000 years of history, focusing on one unique Subject, Jesus Christ, can be so personal to me or to anyone who uses it as God intended it (see Isaiah 55: 11 -link provided). He has brought the compendium of personal wisdom for the ages into my (or your) life to be a light unto my (or your) path (see Psalm119: 105 -linked) in His perfect timing and for His perfect will. Do you not, with Swindoll and me, stand in awe of this?
As Pastor Chuck posited in his devotional today, perhaps, reading today’s passages, you are a Joshua, who has significant challenges lying ahead of you in life, not knowing how things are going to turn out. Perhaps you’ve been upgraded or downgraded; and you don’t know what life is going to hold for you. Perhaps God has lain a task in front of you which seems ultra-daunting; and you don’t know how you’re going to handle it. But like and older, more mature Apostle Peter wrote, God cares (see in the NT, 1st Peter 5: 7); and as old Joshua was encouraged to realize, God will never leave you holding the bag alone when His will has been lain before you (see Joshua 1: 1 – 9). You may be overwhelmed; but God is not; and there’s no reason for you to fret over life’s circumstances (as the Apostle Paul had discovered in his life, being imprisoned while carrying out God’s will - see Phil. 4: 6 – 7).
And I’m throwing all these specific passages of Scripture to you, as they bubble up in my consciousness, writing this, because God is giving me His word to share with you to illustrate my very point, … that His word will never come up void or powerless in shining a light on your specific path (again go to links above and see Isaiah 55: 11 and Psalm 119: 105).
Are you getting the picture; … that our God is the God of ever detail, just like He was for Joshua when God’s gargantuan task of taking over for Moses was put into his hands? And God has a plan for you and me too. All we need to do is find His will for our lives and then to lay aside personal fears and selfish pride, and to take up this cross, and to follow our Savior into His promised land (see Jesus’ own direction in this regard in Luke 9: 23, which I surely hope you have memorized by now as often as I reference it).
God’s in the details, my beloved; and even more importantly, HE’S IN TOTAL CONTROL! If, like Joshua, you have a whopper of a task in front of you; and you know it’s God will for your life, … take heed and be encouraged by the passages to which I’ve referred you in this journal entry. My mentor used to say, often, “God’s calling is His enablement!” And that applies to each and every one of us in each and every moment of each and ever day of our lives.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I take up the encouragement of Joshua 1: 8 and Psalm 119: 105, abiding in Your word to be a light unto my path. Amen
Passage of the Day: Numbers 27: 12 – 23 … Link to study passage …
Also Deuteronomy 34: 9 … Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
My Journal for Today: I totally agree with Chuck Swindoll today, always standing in amazement as to how God’s word, written in 66 books, by 44 authors, in three languages, over 3000 years of history, focusing on one unique Subject, Jesus Christ, can be so personal to me or to anyone who uses it as God intended it (see Isaiah 55: 11 -link provided). He has brought the compendium of personal wisdom for the ages into my (or your) life to be a light unto my (or your) path (see Psalm119: 105 -linked) in His perfect timing and for His perfect will. Do you not, with Swindoll and me, stand in awe of this?
As Pastor Chuck posited in his devotional today, perhaps, reading today’s passages, you are a Joshua, who has significant challenges lying ahead of you in life, not knowing how things are going to turn out. Perhaps you’ve been upgraded or downgraded; and you don’t know what life is going to hold for you. Perhaps God has lain a task in front of you which seems ultra-daunting; and you don’t know how you’re going to handle it. But like and older, more mature Apostle Peter wrote, God cares (see in the NT, 1st Peter 5: 7); and as old Joshua was encouraged to realize, God will never leave you holding the bag alone when His will has been lain before you (see Joshua 1: 1 – 9). You may be overwhelmed; but God is not; and there’s no reason for you to fret over life’s circumstances (as the Apostle Paul had discovered in his life, being imprisoned while carrying out God’s will - see Phil. 4: 6 – 7).
And I’m throwing all these specific passages of Scripture to you, as they bubble up in my consciousness, writing this, because God is giving me His word to share with you to illustrate my very point, … that His word will never come up void or powerless in shining a light on your specific path (again go to links above and see Isaiah 55: 11 and Psalm 119: 105).
Are you getting the picture; … that our God is the God of ever detail, just like He was for Joshua when God’s gargantuan task of taking over for Moses was put into his hands? And God has a plan for you and me too. All we need to do is find His will for our lives and then to lay aside personal fears and selfish pride, and to take up this cross, and to follow our Savior into His promised land (see Jesus’ own direction in this regard in Luke 9: 23, which I surely hope you have memorized by now as often as I reference it).
God’s in the details, my beloved; and even more importantly, HE’S IN TOTAL CONTROL! If, like Joshua, you have a whopper of a task in front of you; and you know it’s God will for your life, … take heed and be encouraged by the passages to which I’ve referred you in this journal entry. My mentor used to say, often, “God’s calling is His enablement!” And that applies to each and every one of us in each and every moment of each and ever day of our lives.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I take up the encouragement of Joshua 1: 8 and Psalm 119: 105, abiding in Your word to be a light unto my path. Amen
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
2009 – Day 89.Mar. 31 – Written Instructions
2009 – Day 89.Mar. 31 – Written Instructions
Passage of the Day: Exodus 19: 16 – 20: 26 … Link to Exodus 19 – 20 for study …
My Journal for Today: Swindoll’s devotional for this last day of March – the 89th day of the year, still focusing on the life of Moses, emphasizes the importance of God’s WRITTEN word, noting that the passage for today begins the description of God’s primal effort to impart His written instructions – His life commands – to mankind. Swindoll leaps ahead a bit, citing Exodus 24: 12 – 13, to indicate where God imparts His intent to Moses to do just that.
And Swindoll’s point is well taken here in the Moses story … that we have a tendency to take this incredible gift – of God’s written word – for granted. … Guilty, as indicated !!!
I have at least a half dozen printed copies of God’s translated word in my possession, representing at least four different scholarly or paraphrased versions of the Bible. I can, with a few keystrokes, pull up a myriad of other versions of God’s word on the internet from this very computer right here where I sit this morning. And I can do all sorts of word or topical searches/studies involving God’s word with various software tools which I have available to me. And with all of that, I’m afraid that I – at times – take the written and Holy word of God for granted.
Swindoll tells a poignant story of a Russian man at a book convention in Moscow, in the days of the Soviet Union before the fall of Communism, who was waiting in line to get a free Bible at the meeting, the Soviets having finally allowed Bibles to be given away, … a rare instance in those days. Well, when the Bibles ran out before he could get one, the man asked for the cardboard box in which the Scriptures came. He was very disappointed that he couldn’t have a Bible; but if he couldn’t have a written text, at least he wanted to have the empty box in which they came. That’s how much he treasured and desired access to God’s written word.
We hear stories all the time about people in China, or in other places where the Bible is forbidden, passing a few pages from the Bible from one Christian to another so that they can memorize as much of the treasured Scriptures they can before they must pass them on to others. And I ask myself, “Does my ready access to God’s word take away my reverence for what God has imparted to me? It’s no wonder the early Hebrews revered the first five books of the Bible and the later copies which were passed on in scrolls from one priestly group to another. This was then – and now still is – God’s written word.
I stand convicted as I write this that I need to be humbled by the reality of the miracle I am writing about here. God has given to mankind – to me – His very word; and we New Covenant Christians have so much more of it than even His chosen people did. I simply MUST NOT take it for granted! Each morning I come here to journal my thoughts, ideas, and applications of God’s word; and I need to realize – with more intensity – just how important is this process.
Each day when I read and study from God’s word and I take my interpretations and instructions from it, GOD HIMSELF is speaking to me. Yes, GOD HIMSELF is imparting His love for me through His word. When I read the Bible, GOD HIMSELF is giving me instructions on how to live, move, and have my being. And GOD HIMSELF is telling me … from Genesis to Revelations about His Son Who came to ME, died for ME, and now is Heaven interceding for ME [see Phil. 2: 5 – 11 - link provided].
All of this is saying to me, Bill Berry, “This is infinitely important!!” And if you’re reading this, join me in saying a prayer in reverence for God’s written word.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, forgive my surface attitude about your Holy Word. Help me to take every word from the pages of my Bible to heart for my life and for my witness of Your truth. Amen
Passage of the Day: Exodus 19: 16 – 20: 26 … Link to Exodus 19 – 20 for study …
My Journal for Today: Swindoll’s devotional for this last day of March – the 89th day of the year, still focusing on the life of Moses, emphasizes the importance of God’s WRITTEN word, noting that the passage for today begins the description of God’s primal effort to impart His written instructions – His life commands – to mankind. Swindoll leaps ahead a bit, citing Exodus 24: 12 – 13, to indicate where God imparts His intent to Moses to do just that.
And Swindoll’s point is well taken here in the Moses story … that we have a tendency to take this incredible gift – of God’s written word – for granted. … Guilty, as indicated !!!
I have at least a half dozen printed copies of God’s translated word in my possession, representing at least four different scholarly or paraphrased versions of the Bible. I can, with a few keystrokes, pull up a myriad of other versions of God’s word on the internet from this very computer right here where I sit this morning. And I can do all sorts of word or topical searches/studies involving God’s word with various software tools which I have available to me. And with all of that, I’m afraid that I – at times – take the written and Holy word of God for granted.
Swindoll tells a poignant story of a Russian man at a book convention in Moscow, in the days of the Soviet Union before the fall of Communism, who was waiting in line to get a free Bible at the meeting, the Soviets having finally allowed Bibles to be given away, … a rare instance in those days. Well, when the Bibles ran out before he could get one, the man asked for the cardboard box in which the Scriptures came. He was very disappointed that he couldn’t have a Bible; but if he couldn’t have a written text, at least he wanted to have the empty box in which they came. That’s how much he treasured and desired access to God’s written word.
We hear stories all the time about people in China, or in other places where the Bible is forbidden, passing a few pages from the Bible from one Christian to another so that they can memorize as much of the treasured Scriptures they can before they must pass them on to others. And I ask myself, “Does my ready access to God’s word take away my reverence for what God has imparted to me? It’s no wonder the early Hebrews revered the first five books of the Bible and the later copies which were passed on in scrolls from one priestly group to another. This was then – and now still is – God’s written word.
I stand convicted as I write this that I need to be humbled by the reality of the miracle I am writing about here. God has given to mankind – to me – His very word; and we New Covenant Christians have so much more of it than even His chosen people did. I simply MUST NOT take it for granted! Each morning I come here to journal my thoughts, ideas, and applications of God’s word; and I need to realize – with more intensity – just how important is this process.
Each day when I read and study from God’s word and I take my interpretations and instructions from it, GOD HIMSELF is speaking to me. Yes, GOD HIMSELF is imparting His love for me through His word. When I read the Bible, GOD HIMSELF is giving me instructions on how to live, move, and have my being. And GOD HIMSELF is telling me … from Genesis to Revelations about His Son Who came to ME, died for ME, and now is Heaven interceding for ME [see Phil. 2: 5 – 11 - link provided].
All of this is saying to me, Bill Berry, “This is infinitely important!!” And if you’re reading this, join me in saying a prayer in reverence for God’s written word.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, forgive my surface attitude about your Holy Word. Help me to take every word from the pages of my Bible to heart for my life and for my witness of Your truth. Amen
Monday, March 30, 2009
2009 – Day 88.Mar. 30 – A Healthy Fear
2009 – Day 88.Mar. 30 – A Healthy Fear
Passage of the Day: Exodus 19: 16 - 25 …Link to Exodus 19 …
My Journal for Today: Swindoll closes his devotional this day by quoting from Psalm 119: 103 – 105; and I want to begin my journal entry with this reverent reference to God’s word …103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, … Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; … Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Whoever the Psalmist was for this wonderful Hebrew poem really had a genuine reverence and fear of God and a love affair with His word. And that should be the attitude we Christians should have. In fact our attitude should be a reflection of what the people of God must’ve felt when Moses was called up to Mount Sinai to be with God as the Lord inhabited that place. Swindoll asks us to imagine what it must have been like as the cloud of God’s presence descended upon the top of the mountain and the ground around the encampment of the people rumbled.
But unfortunately we believers in God don’t have that kind of fear of God shining a light on our path. Remember, these people, who no doubt bowed in fear and reverence as God came upon the Mountain Moses ascended, were the same people who would, in a short time, build a golden calf to worship. No, the reality of our lives, even as believers, is that we let selfish choices creep into our conscious lives; and I agree with Swindoll that in those moments of sinfulness, we “… momentarily block out any fear of God.” Swindoll goes on to write, “A healthy fear of God will hold us in awe and do much to deter us from sin. … When we actively engage in sin, we consciously put aside what we know to be the truth about God. We deliberately suppress the knowledge of Him in our hearts and minds.”
That’s why the Psalmist of Psalm 119, proposed God’s prescription for avoiding sin, when he wrote a prayer to God, (in verses 9 - 11), ... How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my who heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments. Your word I have hidden in my heart … that I might not sin against You.” And that is why mentor used to teach me that to know God (really know Him through His word) is to love God; and when we love God, we will reverence and obey our God as we serve Him. I do pray that I will come to grow in my knowledge of my God, primarily through His word; because I want to hold on to the awe of His very Name so that I can have the humility which is needed to receive and use His enabling grace.
Again to quote Swindoll: "When you come to that understanding, and God’s light breaks into your life like the pure whitewater of a rushing river, you learn to thoroughly hate and dread those actions that will plunge you into darkness.” And to close this circle, I refer any readers here again (above) to meditate on Psalm 119: 103 – 105.
My Prayer for Today: Oh, Lord, may I never lose my awe of Your truth and the reality of your Holy Name. Amen
Passage of the Day: Exodus 19: 16 - 25 …Link to Exodus 19 …
My Journal for Today: Swindoll closes his devotional this day by quoting from Psalm 119: 103 – 105; and I want to begin my journal entry with this reverent reference to God’s word …103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, … Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; … Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Whoever the Psalmist was for this wonderful Hebrew poem really had a genuine reverence and fear of God and a love affair with His word. And that should be the attitude we Christians should have. In fact our attitude should be a reflection of what the people of God must’ve felt when Moses was called up to Mount Sinai to be with God as the Lord inhabited that place. Swindoll asks us to imagine what it must have been like as the cloud of God’s presence descended upon the top of the mountain and the ground around the encampment of the people rumbled.
But unfortunately we believers in God don’t have that kind of fear of God shining a light on our path. Remember, these people, who no doubt bowed in fear and reverence as God came upon the Mountain Moses ascended, were the same people who would, in a short time, build a golden calf to worship. No, the reality of our lives, even as believers, is that we let selfish choices creep into our conscious lives; and I agree with Swindoll that in those moments of sinfulness, we “… momentarily block out any fear of God.” Swindoll goes on to write, “A healthy fear of God will hold us in awe and do much to deter us from sin. … When we actively engage in sin, we consciously put aside what we know to be the truth about God. We deliberately suppress the knowledge of Him in our hearts and minds.”
That’s why the Psalmist of Psalm 119, proposed God’s prescription for avoiding sin, when he wrote a prayer to God, (in verses 9 - 11), ... How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my who heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments. Your word I have hidden in my heart … that I might not sin against You.” And that is why mentor used to teach me that to know God (really know Him through His word) is to love God; and when we love God, we will reverence and obey our God as we serve Him. I do pray that I will come to grow in my knowledge of my God, primarily through His word; because I want to hold on to the awe of His very Name so that I can have the humility which is needed to receive and use His enabling grace.
Again to quote Swindoll: "When you come to that understanding, and God’s light breaks into your life like the pure whitewater of a rushing river, you learn to thoroughly hate and dread those actions that will plunge you into darkness.” And to close this circle, I refer any readers here again (above) to meditate on Psalm 119: 103 – 105.
My Prayer for Today: Oh, Lord, may I never lose my awe of Your truth and the reality of your Holy Name. Amen
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