June 17, 2012

Sunday: June 17, 2012

READ: Judges 8

BACKGROUND:

By Verse:

1 – Jealous of Gideon’s success, the tribe of Ephraim angrily accuses him of not giving them an opportunity to fight.  Rather than becoming defensive, however, Gideon responds by praising their victory. His humility brings a peaceful resolution.

5 – Zebah and Zalumnna are apparently kings of two different Midianite tribes.

6 – Kings of Succoth respond to Gideon’s request for help by mocking him – a decision which proves very foolish!

23 – Gideon desires that God have all the credit for victory and, therefore, refuses to be Israel’s king.

27 – The ephod was a holy priestly garment, but at sometimes it is associated with pagan idol worship.

30 – seventy sons – a sign of power and prosperity

THINK: On a scale of one to ten, where would you rate humility as a desirable life skill? Would you agree that for the average American (that’s most of us) humility is almost counter-cultural? From a very young age, most of us grow up believing that humility is not only a sign of weakness, but a sign of extreme incompetence and stupidity! We are told to demand our rights, to “toot our own horns”, to exhibit a “don’t mess with me” attitude and to not take anything from anybody! Never back down! That’s us! But  how different would our world look if we decided to defer to others, to consider others better than ourselves, and to give the glory for all our success to God? That’s one lesson we can learn from Gideon. Instead of arguing with the people of Ephraim, he models Proverbs advice:  “A gentle answer turns away wrath…” Gideon doesn’t return anger for anger or get into a one-upmanship contest. “My victory doesn’t compare to yours,” he tells them. Later, when victory over the Midian is complete, the Israelites beg Gideon to be their King – an offer he refuses.  While Gideon’s humility may seem easy on the ancient pages of the Old Testament, it wasn’t. We are prideful people and most of us our tempted to want to be better than everyone else…..Let’s start a humility revolution!

ASK: Are there areas in my life where I can adopt an attitude of humility? What relationships might improve if I considered the other person as more worthy than myself?

Posted by on June 17, 2012 in Uncategorized.

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June 16, 2012

Saturday: June 16, 2012

READ: Genesis 20

BACKGROUND:

By Verse:

1 – It’s not clear why exactly Abraham moved on. It may be because he was terrified by the destruction of Sodom or because he was grieved by Lot’s sin (Gen. 19).

2 – Abraham made the same mistake of telling Sarah to lie and say she was his sister in Genesis 12:13.

3 – God intervened to spare Sarah once again. God often spoke through dreams in the Old Testament.

12 – Abraham makes another bad decision by attempting to justify his lie.

THINK: This is another incredible story of God’s grace to His people. At this point in Genesis, it’s safe to say we’ve all lost respect for Abraham as a husband. Strike one: he slept with his wife’s maidservant (Genesis 16) because he was getting impatient waiting for Sarah to bear him his promised son. Strike 2: In Genesis 12, Abraham tells Sarah to say that she is his sister so that he will not be killed if Pharaoh comes after her. Strike 3: In today’s reading, Abraham tells his wife to lie and be taken as another man’s wife to protect himself. Pretty unbelievable.  Even though it’s easy for us to see Abraham as a major failure, God looked on him with amazing grace.

Abraham acted in fear when he told Sarah to lie. He quickly forgot God’s promises.  In Genesis 15:1, God told Abraham, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Instead of trusting God, Abraham took matters into his own hands. I remember too many occasions in my life where it seemed safer to take things into my own hands so I could control the outcome. After all, trusting and obeying God is counter cultural, it’s bold, it requires sacrifice, and it doesn’t always seem logical. That means trusting and obeying God sometimes makes me afraid too. The unfortunate thing is that when we make decisions based on the fear of men rather than the fear of God, we forfeit God’s very best for us.  

The amazing truth in this passage that will continue to weave its way throughout the entire Bible is that God is gracious with His people and continues to use them despite their awful decisions. God didn’t write Abraham off after strike three. He intervened and made a way for Abraham and continued to bless Abraham.

God is not finished with you yet. If you are a Christian and a recent mistake or series of mistakes has left you feeling as though you are no longer able to receive grace or be used by God – you are wrong. Go to God in repentance. His grace is enough for you. He uses sinners saved by grace!

ASK: Am I making decisions based on the fear of man rather than the fear of God? Do I believe that if I have confessed Christ as my Savior and Lord and received His forgiveness that I am truly forgiven and can live in God’s grace and be used by God despite my failures?

Written By: Cari Widdel

Posted by on June 16, 2012 in Uncategorized.

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June 15, 2012

Friday: June 15, 2012

Read: Isaiah 29-30

Think: I am one month away from getting married! I am graduated from college now but just a few months ago I was living in a dorm with my close friends and trying to balance my last weeks with my friends and also spending time with my fiancé. Many times my friends would say, “Hey, you have your whole life to spend with him, just hang out with us.” Now I see their point, but I wonder how my fiancé would feel if I ignored him for a month because I knew life together forever was coming. I could call him up and tell him I care about him, but if I never spent time with him or really sat in conversation with him, would he feel loved? Certainly not! Simply telling him that I love him is one thing, doing it is another.

The same is true in our relationship with God. Check out chapter 29 verse 13 again. “The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” God is saying here that he doesn’t just want to hear that we love him, he wants to see it. A person can easily go to church and live a somewhat moral life, but does that please God? He says that alone doesn’t do it. He is after our hearts!

Let’s go back to the relationship above for a moment. When my fiancé was first trying to woo me, he wanted to have my heart. He didn’t get it until I was ready to give it to him. He pursued me and took me on dates, but it took me opening up to him for him to truly have my heart. God is pursuing you like crazy. He desires your full heart and all of your affections. However, if you are not playing your role in cultivating that relationship, it is going to be flat. It will be nothing more than the outward Christiany actions.

God is waiting to have your whole heart, give it to him, you can trust him with it!

Ask: What steps do I need to take in order to more fully give God my heart? Am I just going through the motions with my faith?

Posted by on June 15, 2012 in History.

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June 14, 2012

Thursday: June 14, 2012

Read: Judges 5-7

Background: Chapter 5 is Deborah’s song, celebrating the victory God gave Israel over the Canaanites. Israel is following God, but in the beginning of chapter 6 we learned that they have turned away again.
By Verse:
5:3 Praising God for HIS victory, the battle was not won by the men of Israel
13-18- the tribes who fought are praised and those who stayed away are rebuked
24-27- Retelling the story of Jael (ch. 4)
31- The land had peace because they were obeying God
6:1 Israel falls away from God again. The Midianites are oppressing Israel
1-6- Midianites took everything from Israel. The Israelites had to hide for their safety
7-10- Israel knew they needed the power of God to break free from this bondage, so they cried out to God and he heard them
11-27 Gideon is God’s chosen servant to set Israel free

Think: God’s overwhelming patience is powerfully displayed in the story of Gideon. If you read the passage carefully you probably noticed that Gideon is kind of a timid guy. He is from the weakest clan and tribe of Israel and probably always felt like the low man on the totem pole. However, the angel of the Lord calls him a mighty warrior and God wants to use him!

Gideon questions God and keeps asking for more signs to know that this is the right thing to do. In all of his questioning God never gets angry. God is patient time after time. When Gideon is to afraid to tear down the altars to false gods in front of people, God still honors him for doing it in the night. God is always patient! We need to remember this too. There are times where I mess up, or doubt God and feel like he is angry with me, but really, he is being patient with me. God waits for us to turn back to him and trust him. At times, he even pushes us to trust him at a greater level.

God did this with Gideon as well. Although Gideon has lots and lots of men to fight the battle with him, God continued to cut down the army till there were only 300 left. He forced Gideon to trust that he could win the battle in God’s strength, not human power. Sometimes God puts us in situations to learn how to trust him more. It stretches us and can be scary, but it is out of his love for us that he wants us to learn how to trust him.

God knows our needs so perfectly. He knew that Gideon needed one more sign, one last dose of encouragement so he allowed him to hear the dream of the Midianite. He knows you too, better than you know yourself. We can trust that he will sufficiently care for us and take care of our needs. Let’s trust God like Gideon did. God is waiting patiently to use you!

Ask: It is okay to ask God for reassurance, are there things you want to ask God to give you more confidence for? Do you think God is trying to grow you in trusting him more?

Written by: KVH

Posted by on June 14, 2012 in History.

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June 13, 2012

Wednesday: June 13, 2012

READ: Romans 11

THINK: Let us take a moment to put ourselves in the shoes of one who asks “God, where are you? Have you rejected me? Forgotten me?”. In Romans, this is a question that Paul brings up for the religious leaders of Israel, or who are otherwise known as Pharisees. The very first two verses really asks if God is still here with the “God’s chosen” people, the same people who have “killed [God’s] prophets and torn down [His] altars.” Paul want’s to reassure them that there is still hope and that God is faithful to His chosen, “whom He chose from the very beginning.” Well isn’t that an encouraging note to land on?

To put into perspective, let’s take for instance that you are someone who has gone to church and vacation bible school since you can remember. You’ve accepted Christ as a young child and can recite all of the books of the bible and ultimately just have a great knowledge of the bible and it’s word. Now take this person 10-15 years down the road and imagine he/she has turned away from God and asks, “God, where are you? Have you rejected me? Forgotten me?” Now step out of those shoes for a second… For some of you, this may be a reflection of your own life. But be assured! Paul is not just assuring the Pharisees, but also YOU who God chose from the very beginning! He’s assuring that because of His grace, “His undeserved kindness in choosing them” (v.5), that God couldn’t possibly forget you. Actually, He probably has a purpose for you in a part of His incredible plan. Paul goes on and says that God is so kind that good works, like going to church every Sunday, serving the poor, giving money to charities, and etc. (not that there is anything wrong with those things), could not possibly earn God’s faithfulness and love. Paul states that if good works were to even begin to earn His love,  then God’s grace would be pointless and “would not be what it really is- free and undeserved (v.6)”.

What an incredible reminder of how valuable the love and grace (undeserved kindness in being chosen) God unconditionally gives us! Sometimes it’s absolutely necessary to be reminded that God hasn’t forgotten us and thus encouraging us to run back to Him again. Now Paul, being the wise man that he is, then anticipated the question, “Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? (v.11)” Well, he doesn’t hesitate to say “Of course not!” What another assuring encouragement! We read on to find that Paul reminds people that though this salvation was available to the Gentiles, this very same salvation through Christ is readily available for the people of Israel too! Or to put into perspective, the kind of people who didn’t have a Christian/church background and lived a successful, worldly life would have just as much opportunity to be loved and receive grace from God as anyone else in the world!

Knowing that everyone is undeserving of God’s love and grace can be quite the message to brighten someone’s day. For anyone out there who easily fills the role of the person who’s life reflects a lack of God and asks, “God, where are you? Have you rejected me? Forgotten me?”, this is a reminder that there is still hope and there is no possible way to not be eligible for acceptance into the Kingdom of God, found in Christ Jesus. I would encourage you to take a moment to read over this text and thank God for how undeserved we are to have this salvation, that brings us love and mercy. And know that asking the questions, “God, where are you? Have you rejected me? Forgotten me?” are unhesitatingly answered with Paul’s answer.. “Of course not!”

Written by: Ken Truong, http://www.findingauthenticchristianity.com

Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Epistles.

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June 12, 2012

Tuesday: June 12, 2012

READ: Matthew 17

BACKGROUND: It is, admittedly, hard for me to even condense this background section because I think Matthew 17 is an unbelievably cool chapter that could be the basis of 2 or 3 whole sermon series. Feel free to ask questions about anything I don’t cover! The stories of the Transfiguration, the healing of the boy, and the temple tax are all driving at one major theme: Jesus is the promised Messiah – God in the flesh – and he has come to die to usher in a completely new era for humanity.
By Verse:
1 – This occurs approximately 1 week after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Son of God.
2 – When it says he “transfigured” this means that his physical appearance changed. The disciples saw him in his glorified (a.k.a. heavenly) state.
3 – Why Moses & Elijah? Moses represents the Old Covenant which is about to be rendered obsolete. Elijah represents the restoration of all things (Malachi 4:5-6).
5 – These are the same words that were spoken when Jesus was baptized. They emphasize that Jesus isn’t just a man but God incarnate.
11 – Based on the prophecy in Malachi 4, Jews expected that Elijah’s return would proceed the Messiah. Jesus indicates that it did in the person of John the Baptist. John was not Elijah reincarnate. Instead he was a type of Elijah (a prophetic force for repentance and restoration) that preceded the Messiah.
20 – Jesus isn’t suggesting that they start moving mountains. He uses this phrase in  a metaphorical manner to help the disciples understand that deep faith will help them overcome any and all obstacles in their ministry as they seek to build his kingdom.
22 – This is the 2nd specific prediction of Jesus death and resurrection in Matthew.
24 – This tax wasn’t levied by the Romans but by the Jews. Everyone was expected to pay it to help keep up the temple.
26 – The word “exempt” literally means “free.”
27 – This is a sweet miracle!

THINK: Almost 2 years ago the best basketball player in the NBA announced during a live television event called “The Decision” that he would be leaving his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and joining the Miami Heat. In the months that followed there was a ton of speculation – perpetuated in part by the players themselves – that LeBron James’ decision to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would usher in a completely new era in the NBA. Professional basketball had “changed forever” and the Heat were sure, according to LeBron, to win “not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven…” championships. In fairness, the league had never seen superstars choose to join forces before and so a totally new era seemed to be on the horizon. (I say seemed because the Heat currently sit at not one, not two…but zero championships, but that’s beside the point).

In Matthew 17 Jesus ushers in a totally new era (and unlike the Heat he actually succeeded in doing it). He begins by allowing the disciples to witness undeniable confirmation that Peters confession “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” was right on the money. And he helps the disciples see that John the Baptist prepared the way. Then, after driving out a demon, he explains to his disciples that he will be killed and raise again from the dead on the third day.

Immediately after this we find the story of the temple tax, and there is a very strategic reason for its place here. When the tax collectors come to collect the annual temple upkeep tax (about 2 days wages) Jesus and Peter have a really interesting discussion. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to an earthly kingdom. He asks Peter who kings collect taxes from, their subjects or their family members? Peter correctly answers that it’s from others. And then Jesus says this crazy thing: “Then the sons are exempt.” Then he pulls off an outrageous miracle and pays the tax anyways.

But what does all this mean? As simply and shortly as I can put it in a blog devotional: Jesus is saying that a totally new era is being ushered in with his death and resurrection that will change the game completely. The temple is being replaced by something better – Jesus himself. No longer will the temple be a necessary conduit to accessing God because we have access through Christ. Worship is being redefined as person-centered instead of place-centered. And not only that, but the entire foundation and construct of worship is being renewed. Why? Because the “sons are free!” Jesus is saying that the old way – where people paid the worship tax out of compulsion and obligation is done away with. His disciples – and everyone who puts their faith in him – are God’s sons & daughters. And God’s children are exempt from the obligation. They are set free from the law. Worship isn’t about going through the right motions in the right place! It is about freely choosing to respond to the person of Jesus Christ because of who he is and what he’s done for you.

ASK: In my freedom, how will I respond to Jesus today?

Posted by on June 12, 2012 in Gospels.

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June 11, 2012

Monday: June 11, 2012

READ: Job 7

BACKGROUND: This chapter is a part of Job’s reply to his friend Eliphaz about his tragic situation of losing everything. While chapter 6 was directed mostly toward Eliphaz, chapter 7 turns a corner a bit and is directed more toward God.
By Verse:
7 – Job realizes that life is fleeting, and in his suffering he’s lost hope and purpose. Death seems like the only escape for him.
9 – This is not a reflection of good theology or a Biblical denial of resurrection. It’s simply Job echoing the words of the prevailing sentiment – that the afterlife is a land of no return – in the ancient near eastern world.
11 – Job is angry with God, and he doesn’t intend to keep quiet about it.
19 – The phrase – in many translations – “for even an instant” literally means “long enough for me to swallow my own saliva. Kinda funny.
20 – Job’s complaint is that God is too critical. He’s been a pretty good guy so he feels like God should be rewarding him instead of allowing him to suffer.

THINK: A friend quit two jobs to become a full-time caregiver when his adult son was seriously hurt in a car accident. That same year his wife of over 30 years contracted a terminal illness and died.

Since then, he says he has no answers when his son asks “why” this happened to them. But he told me of a reassuring dream he had along the way. He dreamed that he was in a place that was awash with sunlight. There were crowds of people around him, and a man was answering all of his “why” questions. Each answer made so much sense that he clearly understood why he was not to know the answers now. Then he was with his son in the dream. But when he tried to help him with his questions, he couldn’t remember the answers. But even that seemed okay. And then he woke up.

My friend’s experience reminds me of another friend of God who suffered with unanswered questions (Job 7:20-21). Only when God finally broke His silence and gave Job a vision of Himself in the wonder of creation did Job find something that was better than answers (42:1-6). Only then did Job find peace in knowing that our God has good and even wonderful reasons to trust Him. What’s better than answers to our why questions? Trusting a good God who has His reasons!

By: Mart De Haan in Our Daily Bread, on March 14, 2011

ASK: Do I sometimes get hung up on not having all the answers? What would it look like for me to trust God completey?

Posted by on June 11, 2012 in Poetry.

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June 10, 2012

Sunday: June 10, 2012

READ: Proverbs 12

BACKGROUND: By Verse –
4 – There is a more extensive discussion of what makes up the “wife of noble character” in Proverbs 31.
9 – Even people of modest incomes had servants in this time period.
11 – The second half of this verse is referring to people who are constantly trying to come up with get-rich-quick schemes rather than working hard.
16 – Overlooking insults means exercising self-control.
19 – It lasts only a moment because the lies will be discovered, and then consequences will be suffered.

THINK: Sometimes it is really hard to humbly accept correction from others – to deal well with being told that you’re wrong. It’s particularly difficult for us because, if we’re honest, most of us pretty much think we’re right all the time. I know I do. But I have a confession to make: I’m not always right. One time I was wrong.

I was about 7 years old, maybe 8, and my family – for a reason that is completely beyond me – was talking about horses and how fast they are. At that point, I boldly declared to my younger sister and brother that the fastest a horse could go was a “loaf.” My mom asked, “Don’t you mean a gallop? When horses run it’s called a gallop.” I was incredulous! I wouldn’t be told that I was wrong, and I certainly wouldn’t accept correction from my mom of all people. So I fought her and insisted that when a horse runs it’s called a loaf. I don’t actually remember this event taking place, but my mom has never let me forget it and my whole family still makes fun of me for it. I’m pretty sure the reason they still wont let it go – like a normal group of people would with the confused words of a 7 year-old – is that I haven’t been wrong since then and they need something to hold onto to feel better about themselves.

The truth is: I’ve been wrong a lot since then. I’m wrong about things all the time. We all are. And it’s really easy sometimes to laugh at the thought of a 7 year-old stupidly fighting against the advice of a parent by demanding that when a horse is sprinting that’s called loafing. But you know what? We do the same thing ALL THE TIME! We get advice from wise people around us and we rebel against it, resent it, or ignore it – especially if it comes from our parents. But this proverb reminds us that the best possible thing to do is to humbly accept correction and listen to advice. Life will go a lot better for us if we do.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid… The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:1,15

ASK: The next time I receive correction or advice – even if it’s from my parent’s or my boss – how will I handle it?

Posted by on June 10, 2012 in Psalms.

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June 9, 2012

Saturday: June 9, 2012

READ: Judges 3 & 4

BACKGROUND: Israel’s successful conquests meant many people groups lived within Israelite-occupied territory. Against God’s specific command, Israel intermingled with these people. They intermarried and adopted the religions of these people – worshipping idols and false gods.
By Verse:
3:7–11: a pattern that the author of Judges uses throughout the book: beginning statement, Israel’s sin, defeat by enemies, cries to God, deliverance, and conclusion.
9 – Othniel is Caleb’s little brother and reflects the Godly influence of his family
15 – Ehud was left-handed which is an important detail since he is able to conceal his dagger on the side where it was not expected.
4:4 Deborah is the only judge said to have been a prophetess. She prophesies that since the men lack courage, the credit for the victory will go to a woman (Jael)
21 – Hospitality traditions meant offering protection to a guest. Jael remained true to Israel undoing her husband’s breach of faith and accomplishing what Barak, the great warrior, lacked the courage to do.
22 – The Promised Land was saved by the courage and faithfulness of those who followed God’s commands.

THINK: If you are reading Judges for the first time – or if it has been so long since you read Judges that it feels like the first time – I wonder if you are as surprised as I was by these two chapters. The names and places are a bit confusing to keep track of, but the stories are stunning and simple. So here’s a quick plot summary: A bunch of nations, enemies of the Israelites, remained after Joshua’s conquests and while these nations surely thought this was due to their power and might, they were completely wrong. Judges tells us God allowed these nations to remain to be used by him and for him – to “teach warfare to the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience” and to “see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands.” When Israel’s Judges (leaders) followed God, they lived in peace. When Israel’s leaders did evil, they were defeated and defiled by their enemies. Over and over this scenario is repeated throughout the book.

As with most wars, stunning stories of courage, espionage, and covert missions abound! Ehud (left-handed trickster!) pretends to pays tribute to the “very fat” King Eglon, who is both too full of himself and too full of his dinner to notice the double-edged sword hidden under Ehud’s robe. After getting the King’s attention by telling him he has a “secret message from God” Ehud slyly whips out the sword and drives the whole thing, handle and all, into King Eglon’s belly! Yikes! Then Ehud has plenty of time to escape since the servants assume the King is locked in his room “relieving himself.” That’s got to make a few of us chuckle, right? Next, we have Deborah – who pretty much has to hold the hand of the men folk before they will go into battle. Finally, we meet Jael, by all appearances a very accommodating hostess, who ends up driving some sort of peg right through the brain of her sleeping guest! This is great stuff! I see a new Veggie Tales in the making…

This week I sat with two-year-old Jimmy on my lap and watched the Go Fish video “I’m in the Lord’s Army…Yes Sir!!” We watched as the cartoon soldier defeated all kinds of sin while the other soldiers sang out the battle cry!  Do we need to be reminded that this isn’t just kid’s stuff? This world is a battleground for our hearts and souls, and the enemy seeks to leave us plundered and living in constant defeat. God’s looking for a few good men and women and no previous experience is required!

Written By: Deb Howard

ASK: What are some ways that I can resist temptation and defeat this week? Am I willing to step up and answer God’s call on my life?

Posted by on June 9, 2012 in History.

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June 8, 2012

Saturday: June 8, 2012

Something different from Solo by Eugene Peterson again today.

READ: Isaiah 27-28

MESSAGE: Read The Message interpretation of Isaiah 27:1-5 very slowly, letting your imagination play with the imagery in the verses. Picture everything vividly, as if you were a child reading a story with beautiful, lifelike illustrations.

Isaiah 27:1-5: At that time God will unsheathe his sword, his merciless, massive, mighty sword. He’ll punish the serpent Leviathan as it flees, the serpent Leviathan thrashing in flight. He’ll kill that old dragon that lives in the sea. At the same time a fine vineyard will appear. There’s something to sing about!
I, God, tend it. I keep it well watered. I keep careful watch over it so that no one can damage it. I’m not angry. I care. Even if it gives me thistles and thornbushes, I just pull them out and burn them up. Let that vine cling to me for safety, let it find good and whole life with me, let it hold on for a good and whole life.”

THINK: As you look at Isaiah 27:1-5, what do you notice about the way God interacts with “that old dragon”? With “that vine”? What is he like? Now put yourself in the scene. What part do you play? How do you feel?

PRAY: Picture God turning to you and inviting you to talk with him about what you are feeling and thinking. Does he ever seem angry to you, or uncaring? What’s it like for you to hear him say otherwise? Share with him your thoughts and feelings, and allow the conversation to unfold.

LIVE: Write about your experience of encountering the God who mercilessly kills the dragon, meanwhile mercifully letting the vine cling to him as it grows. Be sure to include what talking to him about this was like for you. What will you take away from this time?

Posted by on June 8, 2012 in Prophecy.

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