Scripture: Is. 57: 11, "Why were you more afraid of them than of me"?
Observation: Before this verse, Isaiah gave several examples of what gods the people were worshipping. They were extremely afraid and on occassion even sacrificed their own children! This misplaced fear controled thier lifes and severed their relationship with God.
Application: What (or who) am I afraid of today? I am controlled by the "object of my fear". The bible says, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". This is fear that is rightfully placed.
Prayer: God - you are the one I fear, and you alone! I chose to not fear those around me or the circumstances I am surround by. You are my hope and protection!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
I need to be doing!
I Peter 1: 17, "He will judge or reward you according to what you do"!
Observation: Scripture tells me I am not saved by my works - it is something I can never boast about. God has given me a gift of being saved. There is nothing I can do to repay Him.
My doing should be based on my growing desire to love and please God. Apparently God keeps track of what I do and will use it as a bases of my being judged. There is certainly a place for doing -- just keep it from becoming legalism.
Hebrews 11 is filled with examples of how people of faith did things based on their faith. I am reminded of another scripture that says, "be doers of the word and not just hearers".
Application: Today I will be sensitive to what I am doing and make sure my doing is being motiviated by who I am.
Prayer: Father - teach me to be a good doer of your word!
Observation: Scripture tells me I am not saved by my works - it is something I can never boast about. God has given me a gift of being saved. There is nothing I can do to repay Him.
My doing should be based on my growing desire to love and please God. Apparently God keeps track of what I do and will use it as a bases of my being judged. There is certainly a place for doing -- just keep it from becoming legalism.
Hebrews 11 is filled with examples of how people of faith did things based on their faith. I am reminded of another scripture that says, "be doers of the word and not just hearers".
Application: Today I will be sensitive to what I am doing and make sure my doing is being motiviated by who I am.
Prayer: Father - teach me to be a good doer of your word!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Authority
Scripture: Hebrews 13:17
Observation: I believe that obedience to authority is a unpopular idea these days. I also think that authority is often exercised as little as possible to avoid offending people. Most all of us are given a certain amount of authority, and we will be asked to give an account for our use of that authority.
Application: I should model this behavior to my children and to others. I am blind to my faults, and when somebody points them out to me, I should be thankful to know and see the truth. I need to trust God, that he put those in authority there for a reason, and their actions are going to mold me into who God wants me to be. I should obey those in authority as I would obey Jesus, for he told me to obey.
This also magnifies my responsibility everywhere where I have any authority. (As a father, as a Sunday School teacher for example) How am I exercising that authority? Do I use it in a way that shows I trust God's wisdom over man's wisdom? If I see somebody doing something that is spiritually perilous do I say anything? Too often, I think the tendency is to look the other way, and bite our tongue. I will be held to account for how I shepherd the souls that he is entrusted me to keep watch over. Certainly at least my own children fall into this category.
Prayer: I pray for opportunities to submit joyfully. I pray that my leaders have the courage and wisdom to shepherd me. I pray that I have the wisdom and courage to shepherd my family.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Observation: I believe that obedience to authority is a unpopular idea these days. I also think that authority is often exercised as little as possible to avoid offending people. Most all of us are given a certain amount of authority, and we will be asked to give an account for our use of that authority.
Application: I should model this behavior to my children and to others. I am blind to my faults, and when somebody points them out to me, I should be thankful to know and see the truth. I need to trust God, that he put those in authority there for a reason, and their actions are going to mold me into who God wants me to be. I should obey those in authority as I would obey Jesus, for he told me to obey.
This also magnifies my responsibility everywhere where I have any authority. (As a father, as a Sunday School teacher for example) How am I exercising that authority? Do I use it in a way that shows I trust God's wisdom over man's wisdom? If I see somebody doing something that is spiritually perilous do I say anything? Too often, I think the tendency is to look the other way, and bite our tongue. I will be held to account for how I shepherd the souls that he is entrusted me to keep watch over. Certainly at least my own children fall into this category.
Prayer: I pray for opportunities to submit joyfully. I pray that my leaders have the courage and wisdom to shepherd me. I pray that I have the wisdom and courage to shepherd my family.
Friday, July 11, 2008
He will be called...
Scripture Isaiah 9:6-7
Observation: Jesus is friend (Counselor), Our King (God), Our creator(Father), and our reconciliation (Prince of Peace). His roles where revealed to Isaiah long in advance. The whole Jesus being called Father thing is a bit confusing, but considering John 1:3, it isn't out of line with reality.
Application: I need to understand the fullness of Jesus, and submit to him in all of his roles. He is a comforter. He is my ruler. All things where made through him. And I am redeemed through his sacrifice. He did all of these things for a reason.
Prayer: I pray that I trust him so completely that I never hide anything from him. I pray that I believe his commandments so much that I do not disobey them. I Thank him for all that was, and is, and is to come. Most of all, I thank him for his great sacrifice. Making peace on my behalf, with the God who I have sinned against.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Observation: Jesus is friend (Counselor), Our King (God), Our creator(Father), and our reconciliation (Prince of Peace). His roles where revealed to Isaiah long in advance. The whole Jesus being called Father thing is a bit confusing, but considering John 1:3, it isn't out of line with reality.
Application: I need to understand the fullness of Jesus, and submit to him in all of his roles. He is a comforter. He is my ruler. All things where made through him. And I am redeemed through his sacrifice. He did all of these things for a reason.
Prayer: I pray that I trust him so completely that I never hide anything from him. I pray that I believe his commandments so much that I do not disobey them. I Thank him for all that was, and is, and is to come. Most of all, I thank him for his great sacrifice. Making peace on my behalf, with the God who I have sinned against.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Not-for-profit
Scripture: Micah 3:9-12
Observation:
It seems to me that this is a good description of how Christianity can be tainted by money, and the business model. "Christianity for profit" leads leaders to fail to preach repentance (detest justice), to mock those who are at all righteous (make crooked all that is straight), to try to profit from teaching what God gave freely. These profiteers tend to teach prosperity over sanctification (no disaster shall come upon us).
When this happened in Israel, God sent them into exile to make them recognize their dependence on him.
Application:
Check all of the teachings against scripture - be especially vigilant about those heard on the expensive media (Radio or TV). Do not be too dependent on any community of preachers, but instead be firmly rooted in God's word. The bible is not about improving or making excuses for the old you - it is about developing the new you - the one that longs for righteousness motivated by the new heart, given and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
I pray that I seek the truth, not my own profit or comfort. I thank Jesus greatly for suffering the penalty for my sin, and I pray that I have the courage and strength to suffer with him - to obey where it is not easy to obey, so that I can draw nearer to him.
9 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight,
10 who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us."
12 Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
Observation:
It seems to me that this is a good description of how Christianity can be tainted by money, and the business model. "Christianity for profit" leads leaders to fail to preach repentance (detest justice), to mock those who are at all righteous (make crooked all that is straight), to try to profit from teaching what God gave freely. These profiteers tend to teach prosperity over sanctification (no disaster shall come upon us).
When this happened in Israel, God sent them into exile to make them recognize their dependence on him.
Application:
Check all of the teachings against scripture - be especially vigilant about those heard on the expensive media (Radio or TV). Do not be too dependent on any community of preachers, but instead be firmly rooted in God's word. The bible is not about improving or making excuses for the old you - it is about developing the new you - the one that longs for righteousness motivated by the new heart, given and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
I pray that I seek the truth, not my own profit or comfort. I thank Jesus greatly for suffering the penalty for my sin, and I pray that I have the courage and strength to suffer with him - to obey where it is not easy to obey, so that I can draw nearer to him.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
My weapon
I really liked Hebrews 4:12 today (07-07-08). I am encouraged that my "investment" of reading and getting to know God through His written word will result in a changed life. I don't believe I can "over-do-it" when it comes to reading my Bible!
Anybody else grab something out of chapter 4?
Anybody else grab something out of chapter 4?
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