October 19, 2013

Saturday: October 19, 2013

READ: 2 Chronicles 22-23

THINK: At first glance this story reads like a soap opera or a bad Lifetime movie. If you can make out the thrust of the story between all of the crazy names, it has all the aspects of a captivating melodrama. There is power struggle, family drama, murder, and evil mom conspiring to take the throne for herself, a brave rescue, and a bold plot to kill the wicked queen and insert the true king who will lead the people back in the right direction once again. If only they lived happily ever after, you could have pitched this script to Disney.

But this does serve as a very powerful example for all of us of the power of influence. King Ahaziah listened to his mother Athalia and also chose as his advisors a number of people who had advised King Ahab very poorly. All the people he surrounded himself with pushed him to do evil and serve Baal instead of God. And they influenced him to lead poorly and turn the country in the wrong direction. And it’s not shocking, then, that Ahaziah did not last long on the throne of Judah. He met his untimely end as a consequence of his rebellion and his sin.

It’s easy to sit back and call Ahaziah stupid. He was, and we have the advantage of hindsight in looking back a few thousand years at his situation. But we would do well to recognize that we are susceptible to the same thing. The people we choose to surround ourselves with will absolutely influence the direction and quality of our lives. They will shape the choices that we make and the people that we become.

We need to build relationships with those who don’t know Jesus. But we also need to be careful to make sure that the people we’re closest to and the people we’re allowing to pour into us and shape our lives are people who are calling us to be more like Jesus instead of less. It’s easy to be influenced. It’s easy to be an Ahaziah. And there are plenty of Athalias out there waiting to pull us away from God. So, we need to be on guard and be careful about engaging in God-honoring relationships that build up our faith. The consequences – both good and bad – could not be more real.

PRAY: Ask God to help you find and engage in relationships with Christian mentors and peers who build you up in your faith and consistently call you to be more like Jesus. And thank him for the ones who are in your life! Make a list of some of those key relationships, and then say a prayer for them today. And if you get the chance, thank them for their role in your life.

Posted by on October 19, 2013 in Uncategorized.

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October 18, 2013

Friday: October 18, 2013

READ: Philemon

THINK: My son Jimmy knows that swiping a credit card is the means of purchasing things. He has seen us do it enough times that it clicks for him that when we want to buy things we pick them out, take them to the register, swipe the card, and then take them home. What hasn’t clicked for him at the age of 4 is that there has to be money somewhere to back that credit card up. We couldn’t use the card if there wasn’t an account with sufficient funds to cover what was charged. But for a 4 year-old a credit card is the equivalent of a magic wand that gets waved and then we get whatever we want.

Philemon was a wealthy man from Colossae who had come to know Jesus and opened up his home for the gatherings of the ekklesia – the church – there. He was also a slave owner whose rights had been violated when Onesimus ran away. And he had every legal right to punish Onesimus severely. But Paul pleads with him, in this letter, to do something different. He goes so far as to say, in verse 18 “If he has wronged you or owes you anything, put that on my account.”

The truth is, and it’s fairly evident in the reading of this letter, that this is a somewhat disingenuous offer from Paul. He writes it knowing full well that Philemon will not charge him a cent. He writes on behalf of his new friend and brother in Christ Onesimus with the knowledge that the debt has already been paid. The debt had been paid because Paul had plenty in his account with Philemon. Whatever the actions of Onesimus had cost Philemon paled in comparison to what Philemon had gained through the message of Jesus which Paul had shared with him and his family.

By God’s grace, Onesimus met Paul in Rome after running away and accepted the gospel. And after coming to know Jesus, both he and Paul agreed that it was right for him to return to Philemon. But Paul’s boldness in writing this letter and making the request that he does is predicated upon the idea that Onesimus owes a debt he cannot pay…but so does Philemon.

This entire story is a picture of what happens at salvation. Every single one of us owes a debt that we cannot possibly pay. Our sin and our rejection of God leave us in a completely broken place facing death. But because Jesus came and lived a perfect life he was able to pay our massive debt by giving his life on the cross. His blood was the only sufficient payment. And by faith it’s available to us all. In this way, as Martin Luther wrote, “We are all his Onesimi.”

That is, we are all like Onesimus. Messed up. Wrong. Lost. Hopeless. Carrying a debt we cannot possibly pay. But with one who has an account sufficient to cover it for us! Jesus paid a debt he didn’t owe because it was a debt we could not pay.

PRAY: Today, come before God and thank him for salvation. Spend some time in confession, admitting the depth of your own sin and failure and the greatness of the debt you owe God. And then thank him for paying it for you and experience the incredible peace and joy that forgiveness brings.

Posted by on October 18, 2013 in Epistles.

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October 17, 2013

Thursday: October 17, 2013

Before reading today take a few minutes to Praise God through song by listening to “Praise Him” by Hillsong.

Read: Psalm 148-149

Think: This weekend I heard a Preacher briefly overview the creation story during his sermon. I was struck again that God is so huge, powerful and creative. Nobody can really fathom breathing stars into existence or speaking and then animals, land, water and crickets simply appearing. I was also soberly reminded that this powerful God is offended by our sin, but while we were still sinners He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for us. After reading these two amazing chapters for today I believe this star breathing, universe creating, sinful people forgiving, amazing God is worthy of our praise and I’m sure you’d agree!

Think for a second about the very details of your day. God is very gracious to us. He gives us so many opportunities to praise Him. Would you as you go into prayer think about the different things you’ll encounter today where you should stop and give God praise?

Maybe it will be for the food you’ve been provided. Maybe you’ll praise God because of the friends He’s put in your life. Maybe you’ll praise God because of the beautiful trees and creation you’ll see today. Maybe you can praise God for your pastors, parents, teachers, etc… Just make sure God gets praise for how amazing He is. Remember He deserves our praise… and to quote Duck Dynasty’s favorite Uncle Si… “That’s a FACT Jack!”

Pray: Today simply Praise God. This could possibly be somewhat of a challenge not to rush into your prayer with requests, but do your best to praise God for everything that He is. In prayer praise God for His grace, love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, generosity, salvation, goodness and much more! Tell God how great He is! It will be good to remind yourself of how great and wonderful our God is.

Live: It can be easy to forget about praising our God during the course of our day. Let’s commit this day to simply looking for opportunities to praise God for His greatness. Don’t miss out on the simple things that we take for granted or commonly pass by. Consider this your permission slip to continually look for opportunities to Praise God throughout your day.

Written By: Tony Widdel

Posted by on October 17, 2013 in Uncategorized.

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October 16, 2013

Wednesday: October 16, 2013

READ: Numbers 23-24

 

THINK: This is a fascinating section of scripture. Balak is doing everything that he possibly can to curse Israel, but the guy he needs in order to do it, Balaam, keeps coming up with these blessing and incredible promises and prophesies for Israel. And I think there is some incredible confidence that we can gain from reading this passage and getting a bigger picture of who God is and what he does for his people.

 

 

“From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them. I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations.” – Numbers 23:9

 

 

To be a Christian means to be a citizen of a different kingdom. We live in the world but our home is in Heaven. We are in the world but not of it. And that’s not always easy. Sometimes it is tempting to live the way that world lives, and walk in the same paths as those around us who don’t know God. But we are clearly called to something more.

 

 

God calls his people to stand firm in bold relief against the backdrop of an evil world. We are to treat the world with love, but we are also to stand up for what is right and stand against the evil and injustice and oppression that we see around us every day. But this isn’t popular. Having the integrity to stand for truth makes us enemies of the world. Jesus promises us that we will be hated and opposed for his sake.

 

 

And that causes some people to be afraid. It causes them to conform because they are frightened of what the opposition of the world might mean. But “There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens againstIsrael.” (Numbers 23:23) There is absolutely no reason for God’s people to fear. There is no real opposition that could ever affect us.

 

 

There will always be ungodly people like Balak and Balaam in the world, plotting our downfall and opposing the message and the people of Jesus at every turn. But we don’t need to worry any more than Israel did. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Though they call in the aid of Beelzebub and employ all his serpentine craft, it will avail them nothing: the spells will not work; the divination will deceive them. What a blessing this is! How it quiets the heart! God’s Jacobs wrestle with God, but none shall wrestle with them and prevail. God’s Israels have power with God and prevail, but none shall have power to prevail against them. We need not fear the fiend himself, nor any of those secret enemies whose words are full of deceit and whose plans are deep and unfathomable. They cannot hurt those who trust in the living God. We defy the devil and all his legions.”

 

 

PRAY: Thank God for who he is. Thank him for his love and for his protection amidst the brokenness and challenges of life. And commit to following him and trusting him no matter what sort of opposition the world may throw your way.

 

Posted by on October 16, 2013 in Uncategorized.

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October 15, 2013

Tuesday: October 15, 2013

READ: Titus 3

THINK: John Newton was born in Wapping, London in 1725 and proceeded to spend the next 23 years making trouble and living immorally. While serving in the Royal navy he was continually disciplined, once being flogged with eight dozen lashes and demoted to the lowest possible rank. Eventually he switched maritime careers and joined the slave trade, sailing aboard the slave ship Pegasus. But he was such a pain that that the captain of the Pegasus left him in Africa as a servant to a slave trader there. In 1748 he escaped Africa and boarded the merchant ship Greyhound bound for England.

On March 10, 1748, as the Greyhound made it’s journey with Newton on board it was caught in a violent storm, and water began to fill the boat because of a hole in the hull. Thinking that all was lost, Newton cried out in complete terror, “Lord, have mercy on us!” And suddenly, in that moment, the word mercy stuck him. He realized that if anyone needed it, he did. He considered his past, his failures, his rebellious lifestyle and saw clearly that his only hope was the mercy of God.

And God had mercy. Miraculously, the cargo that the Greyhound was carrying floated up and got jammed in the hole in the hull. This stemmed the flooding and allowed the boat to float to safety. Newton gave his life to Jesus Christ, and God forgave him and broke the chains of his own slavery to a wicked lifestyle. He became an ardent abolitionist, crossing paths with and inspiring William Wilberforce, the Parliament member whose personal and political crusade against the institution eventually toppled the slave trade in the Western world. And, many years later, after reflecting on the events of his life and the depth and power of the salvation he had received, John Newton penned a hymn. He called it Amazing Grace.

At the end of his letter to Titus Paul hammers home the mercy and the grace of God in salvation. He reminds us that there is nothing we could possibly do to earn God’s favor or merit his forgiveness. We are all like John Newton in our way. Rebellious, selfish, and wicked. We have all lived lifestyles that could be described as “foolish,  disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice, hateful…”

But by God’s grace alone, through faith alone we have been saved. That is amazing! Its free, its real, its our only hope. Grace and mercy are unearned blessings given to unworthy sinners. And when we realize the full depth of them, when we fully comprehend just what we have been given, we can do nothing but go out, live for Christ, and share his glorious gospel message with those around us.

PRAY: Listen to Amazing Grace.* Think about how the words apply to you and allow God’s grace to totally overwhelm you as you listen/sing.

*If you don’t like Alan Jackson then find your own version. There are plenty of them. I got you all the way to YouTube and your lack of appreciation for his awesomeness is your problem. 🙂

Posted by on October 15, 2013 in Epistles.

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October 14, 2013

Monday: October 14, 2013

READ:  Jeremiah 50-52

THINK: Read Jeremiah 51:1-5 from The Message

There’s more. God says more:

“Watch this:
I’m whipping up
A death-dealing hurricane against Babylon—‘Hurricane Persia’—
against all who live in that perverse land.
I’m sending a cleanup crew into Babylon.
They’ll clean the place out from top to bottom.
When they get through there’ll be nothing left of her
worth taking or talking about.
They won’t miss a thing.
A total and final Doomsday!
Fighters will fight with everything they’ve got.
It’s no-holds-barred.
They will spare nothing and no one.
It’s final and wholesale destruction—the end!
Babylon littered with the wounded,
streets piled with corpses.
It turns out that Israel and Judah
are not widowed after all.
As their God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, I am still alive and well,
committed to them even though
They filled their land with sin
against Israel’s most Holy God.

Sense for yourself God’s vigor and aggression in going after his enemy Babylon. Take a few minutes to imagine the images God uses to describe how he will treat them. What is your reaction?

Now focus your attention on God’s final statement, regarding his commitment to Israel. What does this tell you about God’s motives for the destruction he’s planning for Babylon? Think about his regard for Israel: What does he feel towards them? What does he feel about their sin?

PRAY: Look back on what you noticed about God – both his aggression and his commitment. Is there a phrase from the passage that stands out to you? As you think about this phrase and repeat it to yourself a few times, spend some time considering this picture of who God is. Talk about that picture with him.

LIVE: Hold in your mind God’s qualities and his incredible commitment and love. Then think about your own life – your relationships, your attitudes toward work or school, your hobbies. What is God saying to you? What about who he is do you really need to know and embrace right now.

– Adapted from Eugene Peterson in Solo

Posted by on October 14, 2013 in Prophecy.

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October 13, 2013

Sunday: October 13, 2013

READ: Jeremiah 47-49

THINK: Moab was one of the great and longstanding enemies of the nation of Israel. There were constant conflicts between the to nations and the Moabites not only oppressed the Israelites but also continually tried to turn their hearts toward false gods. This section of Jeremiah contains a powerful prophecy against Moab. Destruction, devastation, and shame are to be heaped upon Moab and upon their evil god Chemosh. The prophecy indicates that they are facing total devastation.

The thing that jumps out at me from this passage, though, is the “why?” Moab is being judged for pride. It was a wealthy, affluent, comfortable nation with a strong military and it had grown to believe that its riches and its might made it secure. Moab had no reason to trust in God or humble herself before him because she was successful, in her own mind, without him. Moab defied God, worshipped all manner of false gods, and had an incredible amount of pride and hubris and self-belief.

Sound like any other nation you know? Rich. Powerful. Successful? Comfortable? Chasing after false gods and turning it’s back on God because they don’t believe they need him? I can think of one…cough…America…cough. I actually think this applies to most of the modern West. Once dominantly Christian, now pragmatically atheist, our long history of wealth and military power has left us in a state of incredible pride. And that pride has caused us to turn our backs on God.

There will be consequences. That much is certain. So what do we do? Well, I want to draw 2 simple implications from this for each of us: 1. We make sure that individually we don’t reflect the spirit of the age. We read this and caution ourselves against letting our affluence and comfort bring us to a place of pride whereby we believe we don’t need God and we somehow got here without him. And 2. We pray for redemption and revival. Even though God’s pronouncement against Moab was harsh and he promised destruction, his heart of mercy and redemption was still powerfully evident! He cries out, weeps, and laments for Moab. And in the end promises to restore Moab. God’s heart is tender and he loves people and wants to draw them to himself. No matter how dark our days become and how bleak the future of our nation may look, never ever stop leveraging yourself for those around you and being used of God to draw them back to himself. He is a God of hope; hope is never lost.

PRAY: Confess your pride. Confess the times when you’ve lived as though you don’t need God because things have been going well for you. And pray for our country. Pray for the lost people around you and ask God how you can reflect to them his deep love for them.

Posted by on October 13, 2013 in Uncategorized.

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October 12, 2013

Saturday: October 12, 2013

READ:  Psalm 147

THINK: Astronomers have discovered what they call “the largest structure in the observable universe.” It occupies an area in the night sky about 40 times that of the full moon as seen from earth. This supercluster includes at least 11 galaxies and 18 quasars containing hundreds of billions of stars. It’s an amazing discovery made even more wondrous when we read that God “counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Psalm 147:4).

But even more amazing is the Bible’s claim that the all-powerful, infinite God cares about you and me. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (v.3).

He is the same God whom Jesus described as His Father, who holds power over death and hell, yet who sees the tiniest bird fall to the ground and numbers the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:28-31).

He is the God of all our days and nights, the Lord of all our highs and lows. He is our Lord and King (1 Timothy 6:15). When we marvel at the splendor of the night sky, we praise Him who created it. When we mourn the loss of life or love, we cling to Him who heals our broken hearts.

How amazing to discover that the God of great and small through His Son showed His love for all!

The God who made the firmament,
Who made the deepest sea,
The God who put the stars in place
Is the God who cares for me. – Berg

He who holds the stars in space will not let go of His promises to us.

– David C. McCasland in Our Daily Bread

 

PRAY: If you’re hurting today, just throw your cares upon God. He’s big enough that he can handle them and he loves you enough that he will. And if you’re not, lift up someone who is.

Posted by on October 12, 2013 in Psalms.

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October 11, 2013

Friday: October 11, 2013

Friday: October 11, 2013

READ: 2 Chronicles 20 and 21

THINK: Lysa TerKeurst in her book Unglued shares some great insights and applications from the life of Jehoshaphat.

“The story of King Jehoshaphat begins in crazy and ends in calm. His story is instructive because following a God-honoring process that takes us from crazy to calm is a big part of what the Christian journey is all about.”

When King Jehoshaphat receives the alarming news that a huge army is on the way and is planning to attack, he immediately resolves to go the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:3), and his example provides some very practical principles for navigating the upheavals in our own lives:

1.      Remember who you are. We are children of the KING of KINGS and his mighty power is available to help us! Change the focus from “me” to HIM!

2.      Redirect your focus to Jesus. Circumstances can be overwhelming, but there is power in the name of JESUS! Keep your eyes on him and call to him!

3.      Recognize God’s job isn’t your job. 2 Chronicles 20:15: “…the battle is not yours but God’s.” Our responsibility is just to bring what we have. God will bring the super power!

4.      Recite praises and thanks to God! In the midst of trouble, sing praises to GOD! Give thanks to the LORD, He is faithful in the midst of every circumstance! Praise the LORD for his mercy endures forever!

5.      Realize that reactions determine reach. King Jehoshaphat’s decision to seek GOD brought peace to his kingdom (2 Chronicles 20:30). Choosing GOD’s way will always result in peace, even a peace that “passes understanding”….

PRAY: Ask GOD to give us the will to rely on HIM in every circumstance, big or small. PRAISE GOD that he if faithful, merciful, and give thanks for his incredible blessings each day.

 

 

Posted by on October 11, 2013 in Uncategorized.

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October 11, 2013

Friday: October 11, 2013

READ: 2 Chronicles 20 and 21

THINK: Lysa TerKeurst in her book Unglued shares some great insights and applications from the life of Jehoshaphat.
“The story of King Jehoshaphat begins in crazy and ends in calm. His story is instructive because following a God-honoring process that takes us from crazy to calm is a big part of what the Christian journey is all about.”

When King Jehoshaphat receives the alarming news that a huge army is on the way and is planning to attack, he immediately resolves to go the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:3), and his example provides some very practical principles for navigating the upheavals in our own lives:

1. Remember who you are. We are children of the KING of KINGS and his mighty power is available to help us! Change the focus from “me” to HIM!
2. Redirect your focus to Jesus. Circumstances can be overwhelming, but there is power in the name of JESUS! Keep your eyes on him and call to him!
3. Recognize God’s job isn’t your job. 2 Chronicles 20:15: “…the battle is not yours but God’s.” Our responsibility is just to bring what we have. God will bring the super power!
4. Recite praises and thanks to God! In the midst of trouble, sing praises to GOD! Give thanks to the LORD, He is faithful in the midst of every circumstance! Praise the LORD for his mercy endures forever!
5. Realize that reactions determine reach. King Jehoshaphat’s decision to seek GOD brought peace to his kingdom (2 Chronicles 20:30). Choosing GOD’s way will always result in peace, even a peace that “passes understanding”….
PRAY: Ask GOD to give us the will to rely on HIM in every circumstance, big or small. PRAISE GOD that he if faithful, merciful, and give thanks for his incredible blessings each day.

PRAY:

Posted by on October 11, 2013 in Uncategorized.

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