November 15, 2012

Thursday: November 15, 2012

READ: Psalm 58 & 59

THINK: Science continues to refine ways of reducing noise. By producing “anti-sound,” unwanted audio waves are canceled out. Carefully controlled frequencies are used to offset and therefore eliminate unwanted noise.

This has an interesting parallel in the Bible. Men of God learned long ago to combat a different kind of noise pollution. In Psalm 59, David described the threatening voices of his enemies by comparing them with barking, snarling dogs (vv.14-15). He implied that their remarks were menacing and uncouth.

Yet David found relief by using the “anti-sound” of praise to the Lord (vv.16-17). He discovered that the annoyance of godless enemies could be reduced by singing about the power of the One who provides strength, protection, and hope for those who have fellowship with Him.

Have you, like David the psalmist, found yourself troubled by the unkind words or the crude language of the people around you? Don’t let it get to you. Focus your thoughts and words on the power of God. Remind yourself of His strength, love, and mercy. Offset the noise of the world around you with the praise coming from your own heart.

What others say may not be good,
But we must make it understood
That praise to God can give us poise
And drown out all their taunting noise.

Praising God can silence the world’s noise!

By: Mart de Haan in Our Daily Bread, June 13, 1997

PRAY: In the midst of this dark and sinful world, spend some time praising God today!

Posted by on November 15, 2012 in Psalms.

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November 14, 2012

Wednesday: November 14, 2012

READ: Psalm 56 & 57

THINK: These Psalms are a powerful picture of the difficulty of this life and the brokenness of this world. They are Psalms written during some of the toughest times in David’s life – when he was seized by the Philistines and when he was fleeing from Saul. He writes about the weight of the oppression that he faces and the reality of the danger that awaits him at every turn. But he is so hopeful in the midst of it! Why? Because he knows who his God is and what his identity is. He knows that if God is for him then nobody can stand against him. I love Psalm 57:8, “Awake my glory! Awake harp & lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”

PRAY: Listen to this song and reflect on the words – they’re similar to the words in these 2 Psalms. Think about Psalm 57:8, and ask God to awaken your soul. It was made to meet it’s Maker!

Posted by on November 14, 2012 in Psalms.

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November 13, 2012

Tuesday: November 13, 2012

READ: Ecclesiastes 9

BACKGROUND: In this passage, Solomon gets depressed that no matter what happens in life, every single person on the planet faces the same fate: death. And despite the rather morbid outlook of the surrounding context – and Solomon’s incorrect insinuation that death is the end of everything – he does make a really great point in the middle about making the most of every single opportunity to live life to the fullest in an effort to glorify God!

THINK: Verses 7-10 picture what it looks like to do everything to the glory of God: “Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be don’t in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”  – Colossians 3:7

1. In what ways does God “seize” or “enjoy” or “drink?

2. What pleasures do you enjoy that you think God might enjoy with you?

3. As you think about your life, what are some things that you need to seize and enjoy?

PRAY: Respond to God regarding this idea of seizing and enjoying. Tell God if you’re surprised to think about him in this way. Talk to God about how you can do what this text says – how you can live your life to the fullest in order to bring glory to him. Ask him what things you need to give up because they aren’t bringing glory to him – and be willing to listen to him about what these things are.

LIVE: I love this quote from Pastor John Piper: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”

Adapted from Eugene Peterson in Solo

Posted by on November 13, 2012 in Poetry.

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November 12, 2012

Monday: November 12, 2012

READ: Obadiah. The whole book. All 21 verses. 🙂

BACKGROUND: Obadiah’s prophecy is against the nation of Edom. He condemns them for watching the judgment and the misfortunes that befell Israel and rejoicing at them, and he assures Edom that it, too will be destroyed because of its wickedness.

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, and they lived in constant conflict with Israel. They also were proud and self-assured because they believed that they couldn’t be conquered given their strategic location in Mount Seir and their capital, Petra, which could only be reached by going through a narrow canyon guarded by tall mountain walls on either side.

THINK: Reread verses 12-14 from The Message slowly, remembering that they celebrated the demise of Israel:

“You shouldn’t have talked so big
when everything was so bad.
You shouldn’t have taken advantage of my people
when their lives had fallen apart.
You of all people should not have been amused
by their troubles, their wrecked nation.
You shouldn’t have taken the shirt off their back
when they were knocked flat, defenseless.
And you shouldn’t have stood waiting at the outskirts
and cut off refugees,
And traitorously turned in helpless survivors
who had lost everything.”

Put yourself in the place of the nation of Edom. You’ve had an ancient feud with the Israelites, and they are your bitter enemies. Politics are politics – enemy nations do not help each other . Right? Now read the passage again, with its very different viewpoint. Hear God’s radical response to Edom’s very normal behavior.

God’s odd stance has been stated another way in 1 Corinthians 13:6: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” What role does the love of God play in political affairs? What role does the love of God play in how nations treat the people of the world whom God loves?

ASK: What does God’s love, and the prophecy of Obadiah mean for Christians in America as we deal with issues like the current political divisiveness of our fractured land? Or unmanned drone strikes that kill those whom our nation has identified as enemies – and occasionally innocent people who happen to be near them? Or the bloody drug cartel war happening just South of our border? Or…

PRAY: Ask God to help the nations of the world consider how they treat one another, especially nations who are ancient enemies. Pray for Christians who are actively inserting God’s love into international crises. Pray that God will help you have his heart for others, even those whom our country considers to be enemies.

LIVE: Stand in front of a world map or globe. Put your hand on a nation who has been an enemy of your nation. Pray for the people of that country. Pray for its leaders.

Adapted from Eugene Peterson in Solo

Posted by on November 12, 2012 in Prophecy.

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November 11, 2012

Sunday: November 11, 2012

READ: I Samuel 11 and 12

BACKGROUND: Saul’s first act as the newly anointed king proves God’s power is with him. Saul acts quickly and powerfully, completely decimating the Ammonites who had besieged Jabesh Gilead. In this beginning stage of Saul’s reign, he is humble, teachable, and obedient. God’s Spirit indwells Saul and the result, on both a personal and national level, is success.

By Verse:

I Samuel 11: 1 – The Ammonites were descendants of Lot and his daughter (ick!)

11:2 – Without their right eyes, the Israelites would be powerless in combat.

11:6 – God’s power is with Saul and the Ammonites are decimated!

11:12 – Hey, who said Saul wasn’t fit to be a king? Not me….not me!

11:13 – Saul gives GOD all the credit for the victory!

12 – This chapter is Samuel’s farewell speech to Israel; Saul will now rule. Samuel gives a great history lesson reminding Israel of all God has done for his people! He reminds Israel to fear the LORD, to serve him faithfully, and to remember all that GOD has done!

THINK: Perhaps you’ve had the opportunity to see the movie Argo, the true story of the 1980 American hostage crisis in Iran and the dramatic rescue of six US diplomats. The incredibly courageous actions of CIA agent Tony Mendez saved the diplomats’ lives, but Mendez mission was top secret! No hero’s welcome awaited Mendez, no headlines, no fanfare. While newspaper and television programs across the world ran the story, Mendez sat silently on the sidelines. Not until the mission was declassified years later, was his part in the story revealed.

Like the hostages in Iran, the people of Jabesh Gilead needed help! They sent an SOS message, but had no idea if help would come….they were a desperate people about to be either annihilated or enslaved by their enemies. When King Saul and the troops broke into camp and began slaughtering the enemy, the captives were surely ecstatic with joy and relief. Those who formerly doubted the young king’s ability were now his biggest fans, “Who were those doubters, anyway?” King Saul is showered with praise!

How easy it would have been for Saul to bask in the glory, to gloat, to brag, to enjoy the moment. But a Spirit-filled  Saul does nothing of the sort. Instead, he points these people right back to the true King – the King of Kings: “No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD rescued Israel!”

ASK: When things go really well for us, do we want to take the credit? Do we crave the admiration of others? King Saul got it right when he gave God all the glory – and so will we! Remember: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me……and I can do nothing without him!
Written By: Deb Howard

Posted by on November 11, 2012 in Uncategorized.

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November 10, 2012

Saturday: November 10, 2012

READ: Joel (It’s 3 chapters)

BACKGROUND: Joel wrote during the days of King Jehoash (835-796BC) who became king of Judah at the age of seven. Joel’s prophecy came about because of a severe drought and an invasion of locusts. Joel saw these as punishment for Israel’s sins and called out the nation. He used the imagery of the locusts as an invading army to depict a future military campaign in the day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord – Judgment Day – is a major theme of this book of prophecy. Joel describes both God’s current involvement in human affairs and also his future involvement in judging everyone at the end of all things.

THINK: Read Joel 2:12-14 from The Message translation aloud, trying to repeat God’s words in verse 12 in the tone you think he would have said them:

“But there’s also this, it’s not too late—
God’s personal Message!—
“Come back to me and really mean it!
Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”

Change your life, not just your clothes.
Come back to God, your God.
And here’s why: God is kind and merciful.
He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot,
This most patient God, extravagant in love,
always ready to cancel catastrophe.
Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now,
maybe he’ll turn around and show pity.
Maybe, when all’s said and done,
there’ll be blessings full and robust for your God!”

God says the phrase “come back to me” many times through the prophets. God really does want his people, and he wants them back!

1. What does this passage tell you about what God is like?

2. How surprised are you that God wants his people (including you) back?
– Very surprised: You thought God would scold people who wander away or ignore him.
– Somewhat surprised: You figured God wouldn’t turn away someone who returns, but he would never plead with them.
– Not surprised: You frequently sense God calling you back and know that he loves you deeply.
– Other:

PRAY: Tell God how you feel about being (or becoming) someone who always comes back to him. Do you always want to? Would you like to always want to? Talk to God about the “blessings full and robust” that come to you when you turn back to him.

LIVE: Picture this: If God had a body, how would he stand before people and plead for them to come back to him? What would he do with his hands? His arms? What would his face look like?

Adapted from Eugene Peterson in Solo

Posted by on November 10, 2012 in Prophecy.

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November 9, 2012

Friday: November 9, 2012

READ: I Samuel 8 – 10

BACKGROUND: Up until this time, Israel’s “government” had truly been “one nation, under GOD” – a theocracy. Israel, God’s chosen people, experienced the unique and amazing blessing of having GOD as their “head of state.” Time after time, Israelites rebelled against GOD’s authority and failed to receive all the blessings GOD wanted to give.  Eventually, the Israelites ask Samuel to appoint a king for them just like those of their pagan enemies who did not know God.

By Verse:

I Samuel 8:7 – 9: Ultimately, despite all GOD had done for his people, they rejected him!

11- 18: God ordered Samuel to warn Israel of some of the disadvantages of having a king…it’s not all it’s cracked up to be!

19 – 22: Israel continues to insist they want to be “like all the other nations.”

1 Samuel 9 – 10: God allows the Israelites to have their way. Saul, tall, dark, and handsome, is anointed king.

9:6 – Read between the lines: Besides being really nice looking, what kind of a guy is Saul? Strike one….he has apparently never even heard of Samuel and that doesn’t say much about Saul’s intelligence.

10:11 – Strike two: The folks who knew Saul are saying to one another, “You’ve got to be kidding….He’s now a prophet?”

10:23 – Strike three: Poor Saul has to be dragged out of hiding to assume his new responsibilities!

Amazingly, Samuel is so full of humility and has such an incredible servant’s heart, he becomes Saul’s best friend, doing all he can to encourage, support, and instruct Saul in God’s ways.

THINK: Tonight, our small group gathered at our house as we do almost every week.  Our church bulletin usually includes some thought provoking questions about the Sunday sermon and these lead to some interesting discussions. Sunday’s sermon was on repentance. One question asked why we find it so hard to repent, and the conversation jumped to the recent election, morality, immorality, abortion, same-sex relationships etc. Someone lamented that many popular television shows include same sex relationships. Someone else started talking about a recent very television episode and pretty soon everyone was laughing about some really entertaining shows featuring some really funny same sex couples. We went from thinking about repentance to laughing about sin in the space of about three minutes.

God purposely set up Israel as light to the Gentiles; as a light in a dark world, but Israel didn’t want to be different. In fact, they wanted to be just like the Gentiles. We don’t like to be different either. Many of us have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but instead of longing to be more and more like him, we live just like the unbelievers around us – and, sadly, no one can tell the difference.

PRAY: God let our hearts be broken over the things that break your heart. Create in us a fresh desire to follow you!

Written By: Deb Howard

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by on November 9, 2012 in Uncategorized.

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November 8, 2012

Thursday: November 8, 2012

READ: John 6

THINK:

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more —John 6:66

When God, by His Spirit through His Word, gives you a clear vision of His will, you must “walk in the light” of that vision (1 John 1:7). Even though your mind and soul may be thrilled by it, if you don’t “walk in the light” of it you will sink to a level of bondage never envisioned by our Lord. Mentally disobeying the “heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) will make you a slave to ideas and views that are completely foreign to Jesus Christ. Don’t look at someone else and say, “Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why can’t I?” You have to “walk in the light” of the vision that has been given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others or judge them— that is between God and them. When you find that one of your favorite and strongly held views clashes with the “heavenly vision,” do not begin to debate it. If you do, a sense of property and personal right will emerge in you— things on which Jesus placed no value. He was against these things as being the root of everything foreign to Himself— “. . . for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). If we don’t see and understand this, it is because we are ignoring the underlying principles of our Lord’s teaching.

Our tendency is to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we had when God revealed His will to us. But if a New Testament standard is revealed to us by the light of God, and we don’t try to measure up, or even feel inclined to do so, then we begin to backslide. It means your conscience does not respond to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to go back as a deserter.

Written by: Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest

Posted by on November 8, 2012 in Gospels.

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November 7, 2012

Wednesday: November 7, 2012

READ: Samuel 7

 BACKGROUND: By Verse –

Samuel 7:1: The ark is the physical object where God chose to manifest his presence. The Israelites learned this ark was to be treated with complete reverence! God is HOLY! We must never take lightly the HOLINESS of God!

7:3 – Beautiful words: The people mourn over their sin and seek the Lord!

7:4 – Samuel instructs the Israelites to clean house! Get all the pagan gods out! They had not rid themselves of the Cannanite gods they were commanded to wipe out and consequently, the poison sin had crept into their lives.

7:6 – Fasting, repentance, and confession of sin

7:10 – Does this give you chills? “The LORD thundered with loud thunder…..!” Our GOD is the Lord of Hosts! When He fights a battle He wins! Every time!

THINK: Over the past several weeks, our church has been doing a series on revival. Revival……it sounds really old-fashioned, right? But we’ve been learning that revival really means a new beginning of obedience to God. It is a return to scriptural knowledge, godliness, and practical obedience. Ultimately, revival is a sovereign act of God. He restores his people to repentance, faith, and obedience.

Revival can only take place in the hearts of those who already belong to God, like the Israelites and like all of us who are believers in Jesus Christ. When God began to soften the hearts of the Israelites, the bible says they mourned! God brought Samuel to admonish them to get rid of the filth in their lives – namely the Canaanite idols. I’m not sure if this was a tough decision for those Israelites or not, but apparently they’d been holding on to this pagan junk for some reason! Samuel made it clear that tossing out idols was a necessary first step! Then he led them in prayer. They fasted. They confessed their sin. They repented! And the result? A decisive victory over their enemies, and PEACE in their land! Wow…!

ASK: Do I really believe that following God is better? Am I willing throw out the “junk” in my own life which crowds out the things of God? Do I really believe that God’s presence in my life will bring me JOY? And PEACE? Could I actually live in victory over my enemies….like worry and anxiety and discouragement?

PRAY: Dear Jesus – Let us hear your word and understand! Help us to grow in insight and obedience! You are our the only path to peace and to joy!

Written By: Deb Howard

 

Posted by on November 7, 2012 in History.

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November 6, 2012

Tuesday: November 6, 2012

READ: Mark 14

BACKGROUND: This passage is packed with the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Beginning with the incredible outpouring of love from Mary, then the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the heartbreaking betrayal of Judas and Peter, and Jesus’ arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin.

By Verse –

3 – We know from John’s Gospel that this woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary’s action expressed her deep devotion to Jesus.

7 – Jesus was not expressing a lack of concern for the poor; we know the poor were close to his heart.

22 – In the account of the Lord’s Supper in Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24, we read Jesus’ command to continue to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

24 – The cup represents the blood of Jesus. The promise of salvation through Jesus in the new covenant is made possible only through Jesus’ death.

36 – Jesus did not dread death itself, but the burden of taking the sins of the world on his shoulders.

53 – Jesus’ trial took place in two stages: a Jewish trial and a Roman trial.  (14:53-15:15)

55 – The Sanhedrin had great authority, but they could not impose capital punishment.

READ:  In my experience, the will of God is difficult to discern because it often involves making a decision that seems irresponsible. You may have to quit a job, or change majors, or make a move. And on one level it will seem irresponsible to those who cannot see the godly motivation. But pursuing a God-ordained passion, no matter how crazy it seems, is the most responsible thing you can do. (Mark Batterson in Wild Goose Chase)

Mary’s outpouring of affection for Jesus is an incredible display of the obedience and sacrifice that are required of us as we love Jesus. While onlookers could not believe the “foolish” use of her expensive perfumes, Jesus praised her for demonstrating her love for Him with unabashed zeal. To others her decision seemed irresponsible, but Mary moved forward, driven by her deep devotion toJesus.

When opportunity arose for Peter and Judas to boldly demonstrate their commitments to Jesus, they chose to deny him instead. Pressured by the fear of others and the fear of earthly consequence, they turned their backs and made decisions they would regret tremendously.

And so we must decide. How will we move forward in our pursuit of Jesus? Will we risk it all, knowing we may very well look irresponsible or just downright crazy to others? Or will be play it safe and hope Jesus wasn’t serious about his command to deny ourselves and take up our crosses and follow Him (Mark 8:34)? Let’s read and re-read this chapter and the chapters following to remind ourselves of the suffering Jesus endured on our behalf so that we could enjoy the unending reward of His salvation. May that motivate us today and always to choose obedience to our Savior without question.

Written By: Cari Widdel

Posted by on November 6, 2012 in Gospels.

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