Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Context: Paul has been defending his ministry. Apparently people thought he was commending himself for the growth of the Christian movement, and others wanted him to get reference letters from the original apostles. He goes on to explain how Christ has changed the way people can approach God.
Text:
7Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God made us in his own image, but we quickly shattered that image by giving in to sin (which God cannot do). Through the years he taught us how to make our way back to his image with the law, but we failed miserably. So instead of rigid rules, God sent his son, made in his perfect image, to show us in person how we must live.
The cool thing is that when we follow Christ and abide by his teachings, God will work to transform us back to that original creation. We are being transformed into the image of God again!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Mar 29 - Majestic
Read Psalm 8
Context: A psalm of David, written for the director of music
Text:
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise [b]
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings [c]
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
At this time of year I really get excited to watch new shoots popping up in the garden. I rejoice over each perennial that returns and I can't wait to see the new blooms. My family just shakes their head when I come in announcing that yet another daffodil has bloomed.
I wonder how excited God got when his creation started taking form. At the end of each day he looked at his work and declared it 'good' or 'very good'. Did all the flowers appear at one time, or were Adam and Eve continually surprised as the seasons passed and new wonders appeared?
Context: A psalm of David, written for the director of music
Text:
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise [b]
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings [c]
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
At this time of year I really get excited to watch new shoots popping up in the garden. I rejoice over each perennial that returns and I can't wait to see the new blooms. My family just shakes their head when I come in announcing that yet another daffodil has bloomed.
I wonder how excited God got when his creation started taking form. At the end of each day he looked at his work and declared it 'good' or 'very good'. Did all the flowers appear at one time, or were Adam and Eve continually surprised as the seasons passed and new wonders appeared?
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Mar 28 - God's Reminder
Read Genesis 9:1-7
Context: Noah and his family have survived the great flood, and the land has dried up. He released the animals and built an altar to the Lord, sacrificing some of the clean animals and clean birds.
Text:
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
4 "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.
6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man.
7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it." (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
Last time God started the human race he created man in his own image. It didn't take long for Cain to kill his brother, Abel. This time God is giving man another chance, only this time he is pretty specific about killing. I don't see any text showing that God told Adam that he had been made in the image of God, I wonder if this was a new insight for Noah?
Context: Noah and his family have survived the great flood, and the land has dried up. He released the animals and built an altar to the Lord, sacrificing some of the clean animals and clean birds.
Text:
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
4 "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.
6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man.
7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it." (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
Last time God started the human race he created man in his own image. It didn't take long for Cain to kill his brother, Abel. This time God is giving man another chance, only this time he is pretty specific about killing. I don't see any text showing that God told Adam that he had been made in the image of God, I wonder if this was a new insight for Noah?
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Mar 27 - God Forms Man
Read Genesis 2:4-17
Context: God has completed his creation and he rested on the seventh day. The author of Genesis then retells the creation story with more details.
Text:
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth [b] and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth [c] and there was no man to work the ground, 6 but streams [d] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- 7 the LORD God formed the man [e] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin [f] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. [g] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Like a potter, God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth, then he breathed life into him. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? Did Adam look like him, as if looking in a mirror? Or is it more the qualities of man that mirror God? Does God have a physical form -- two legs, two arms, ten fingers?
We know that God gave man a job to do...to take care of the Garden. He created in us a purpose and the ability to be useful. In the image of God, we have a part in his greater plan. And we have the ability to create gardens (and other things) of beauty using the basic items that God created!
Context: God has completed his creation and he rested on the seventh day. The author of Genesis then retells the creation story with more details.
Text:
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth [b] and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth [c] and there was no man to work the ground, 6 but streams [d] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- 7 the LORD God formed the man [e] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin [f] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. [g] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Like a potter, God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth, then he breathed life into him. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? Did Adam look like him, as if looking in a mirror? Or is it more the qualities of man that mirror God? Does God have a physical form -- two legs, two arms, ten fingers?
We know that God gave man a job to do...to take care of the Garden. He created in us a purpose and the ability to be useful. In the image of God, we have a part in his greater plan. And we have the ability to create gardens (and other things) of beauty using the basic items that God created!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Mar 26 - In God's Image
Read Genesis 1:26-31
Context: God has completed five days of creation. On the sixth day, he has already created the living creatures: wild animals, livestock, and creatures that move along the ground.
Text:
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
There has been a lot of controversy through the years over this passage. What does it really mean to be made in the likeness and image of God? Looking up the original language doesn't help much...the Hebrew words are defined pretty simply as 'likeness' and 'image or likeness of', respectively.
This week we are looking at what it means to be made in the image of God. I'm looking forward to what Steve has to teach us!
Context: God has completed five days of creation. On the sixth day, he has already created the living creatures: wild animals, livestock, and creatures that move along the ground.
Text:
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
There has been a lot of controversy through the years over this passage. What does it really mean to be made in the likeness and image of God? Looking up the original language doesn't help much...the Hebrew words are defined pretty simply as 'likeness' and 'image or likeness of', respectively.
This week we are looking at what it means to be made in the image of God. I'm looking forward to what Steve has to teach us!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Mar 23 - God Loves
Read 1 John 3:1-3 and 1 John 4:7-12
Context: 1 John was written by John the apostle (son of Zebedee). He wrote to believers to expose false teachers and to give believers the assurance of salvation. In the process he gives us a wonderful picture of God's love.
Text:
1John 3:1-3 1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,[a]we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (NIV)
Footnotes:
1 John 3:2 Or when it is made known
1 John 4:7-12 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[a] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[b] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (NIV)
Footnotes:
1 John 4:9 Or his only begotten Son
1 John 4:10 Or as the one who would turn aside his wrath, taking away
taken from www.biblegateway.com
While we cannot comprehend God's love, he gives us experiences here on earth that offer a glimpse into the strength of his love.
When Doug and I were in the process of adopting our boys, we found out that both boys had severe asthma. We had to get them up every 2-3 hours around the clock to give them treatments, and we learned a lot of new medical terminologies and procedures we didn't know existed. About two weeks into this new adventure, we realized that we had never once stopped and said, "this isn't what we signed up for." We were treating these boys just as if they had always been our own, doing whatever was necessary for their well-being just as we would have done for our biological children. I had a new understanding for the love God shows us as his adopted children.
The reason we can love each other is because God first loves us...whether we realize it or not!
Context: 1 John was written by John the apostle (son of Zebedee). He wrote to believers to expose false teachers and to give believers the assurance of salvation. In the process he gives us a wonderful picture of God's love.
Text:
1John 3:1-3 1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,[a]we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (NIV)
Footnotes:
1 John 3:2 Or when it is made known
1 John 4:7-12 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[a] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[b] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (NIV)
Footnotes:
1 John 4:9 Or his only begotten Son
1 John 4:10 Or as the one who would turn aside his wrath, taking away
taken from www.biblegateway.com
While we cannot comprehend God's love, he gives us experiences here on earth that offer a glimpse into the strength of his love.
When Doug and I were in the process of adopting our boys, we found out that both boys had severe asthma. We had to get them up every 2-3 hours around the clock to give them treatments, and we learned a lot of new medical terminologies and procedures we didn't know existed. About two weeks into this new adventure, we realized that we had never once stopped and said, "this isn't what we signed up for." We were treating these boys just as if they had always been our own, doing whatever was necessary for their well-being just as we would have done for our biological children. I had a new understanding for the love God shows us as his adopted children.
The reason we can love each other is because God first loves us...whether we realize it or not!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Mar 22 - God Saves
Read Romans 10:8-13
Context: Paul is explaining that the way to righteousness is no longer through the law.
Text:
8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[e] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f] (NIV)
d: Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
e: Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16
f: Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
www.biblegateway.com
It is hard for us to comprehend what we are being saved from, or saved to, while we are here on earth. The best place on earth that we can imagine pales in comparison to Heaven, and the worst place we can imagine is but a shadow of what Hell must truly be like. It is our faith that God wants the best for us, regardless of the situation, that will keep us on the road to Heaven.
There are many people who can't believe that a loving God would knowingly send people to a Hell, or that he would even create (or allow creation of ) a place like that. However, God doesn't send us to Hell, he merely carries out the reservation that we make before we die. All we have to do is say the word, and he will mark our reservation on the scrolls of Heaven, and he gives us the Holy Spirit as our deposit...that even allows us late arrival privileges!
Context: Paul is explaining that the way to righteousness is no longer through the law.
Text:
8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[e] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f] (NIV)
d: Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
e: Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16
f: Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
www.biblegateway.com
It is hard for us to comprehend what we are being saved from, or saved to, while we are here on earth. The best place on earth that we can imagine pales in comparison to Heaven, and the worst place we can imagine is but a shadow of what Hell must truly be like. It is our faith that God wants the best for us, regardless of the situation, that will keep us on the road to Heaven.
There are many people who can't believe that a loving God would knowingly send people to a Hell, or that he would even create (or allow creation of ) a place like that. However, God doesn't send us to Hell, he merely carries out the reservation that we make before we die. All we have to do is say the word, and he will mark our reservation on the scrolls of Heaven, and he gives us the Holy Spirit as our deposit...that even allows us late arrival privileges!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Mar 21 - God Empowers
Read Luke 9:1-6
Context: There isn't any specific information about the location of Jesus when this event takes place, but our text occurs between the Sermon on the Mount and the Transfiguration.
Text:
1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This story is covered in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In none of the accounts does Jesus ask His twelve apostles if they are ready for the task. Yet He knows them well and He knows what they are capable of. As long as they stay close to Him, they won't learn what they are really capable of. God is a master at developing character, leadership, and other capabilities that are needed in His kingdom. His isn't a 'sink or swim' strategy. Throughout scripture He works with individuals and groups to be sure they have the basic capabilities, sometimes teaching them side by side, and other times putting them into situations that call them to stretch.
I doubt that any of the twelve felt 'ready' to go out and preach the gospel. They probably all had a thousand questions about how things would go. But Jesus knew that the experience itself would teach them to lean upon Him in ways that were new, and he knew that they would ultimately be successful. God still calls us to step out in faith, and He is still there to empower us for success in His kingdom.
Context: There isn't any specific information about the location of Jesus when this event takes place, but our text occurs between the Sermon on the Mount and the Transfiguration.
Text:
1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This story is covered in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In none of the accounts does Jesus ask His twelve apostles if they are ready for the task. Yet He knows them well and He knows what they are capable of. As long as they stay close to Him, they won't learn what they are really capable of. God is a master at developing character, leadership, and other capabilities that are needed in His kingdom. His isn't a 'sink or swim' strategy. Throughout scripture He works with individuals and groups to be sure they have the basic capabilities, sometimes teaching them side by side, and other times putting them into situations that call them to stretch.
I doubt that any of the twelve felt 'ready' to go out and preach the gospel. They probably all had a thousand questions about how things would go. But Jesus knew that the experience itself would teach them to lean upon Him in ways that were new, and he knew that they would ultimately be successful. God still calls us to step out in faith, and He is still there to empower us for success in His kingdom.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Mar 20 - God Protects
Read 2 Kings 6:8-17
Context: Elisha was a prophet through whom many miracles were done. He spoke boldly of the things only God could do, and they were done. His life is covered in 2 Kings 2:1 - 13:25
Text:
8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
12 "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."
13 "Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan." 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
While there isn't much text about it, this is one of the few stories that demonstrates how God protects us without our knowledge. He usually wants us to take action toward our goal, whatever that may be, but he is standing behind us to ensure that we are safe. It makes me think about all the battles the Israelites fought right after they moved into the promised land. In almost all cases, the Israelites took over the cities and killed all the people (on the Lord's orders) without any loss of life on their part (the only exception was when they had disobeyed the Lord's command). On those days when things look really bleak and there doesn't seem to be any way to make it through unscathed, it's nice to know that God has my back!
Context: Elisha was a prophet through whom many miracles were done. He spoke boldly of the things only God could do, and they were done. His life is covered in 2 Kings 2:1 - 13:25
Text:
8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
12 "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."
13 "Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan." 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
While there isn't much text about it, this is one of the few stories that demonstrates how God protects us without our knowledge. He usually wants us to take action toward our goal, whatever that may be, but he is standing behind us to ensure that we are safe. It makes me think about all the battles the Israelites fought right after they moved into the promised land. In almost all cases, the Israelites took over the cities and killed all the people (on the Lord's orders) without any loss of life on their part (the only exception was when they had disobeyed the Lord's command). On those days when things look really bleak and there doesn't seem to be any way to make it through unscathed, it's nice to know that God has my back!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Mar 19 - God Tells Us How To Live
Read Exodus 20:1-17
Context: God has given Moses the basic laws that the Israelites should follow.
Text:
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Exodus 20:3 Or besides
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God spent 40 days at the top of Mount Sinai telling Moses many laws and He gave Moses the instructions for building the tabernacle. As we know, the Israelites pretty much gave up on Moses after a short period of time and they built their own idol, a calf out of gold.
These basic commandments are still valid today...some of them are the basis for the laws of our land (do not murder, etc.). In the past hundred years or so, society has decided that some of these commands are not very important (for example, do not commit adultery...that is no longer a crime). Regardless of how our society views the commandments, we are still called to honor them. True, we are no longer under the law because of Christ's sacrifice. But these commands are the foundation of a 'civil' society. If we follow this advice, God is pleased.
I am particularly guilty of not respecting the Sabbath Day. Weekends seem like the best time to catch up on all the chores that got pushed off during the week. I want to commit to making Sundays a special day devoted to God. Anyone have suggestions about how you've been successful at this?
Context: God has given Moses the basic laws that the Israelites should follow.
Text:
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Exodus 20:3 Or besides
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God spent 40 days at the top of Mount Sinai telling Moses many laws and He gave Moses the instructions for building the tabernacle. As we know, the Israelites pretty much gave up on Moses after a short period of time and they built their own idol, a calf out of gold.
These basic commandments are still valid today...some of them are the basis for the laws of our land (do not murder, etc.). In the past hundred years or so, society has decided that some of these commands are not very important (for example, do not commit adultery...that is no longer a crime). Regardless of how our society views the commandments, we are still called to honor them. True, we are no longer under the law because of Christ's sacrifice. But these commands are the foundation of a 'civil' society. If we follow this advice, God is pleased.
I am particularly guilty of not respecting the Sabbath Day. Weekends seem like the best time to catch up on all the chores that got pushed off during the week. I want to commit to making Sundays a special day devoted to God. Anyone have suggestions about how you've been successful at this?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Mar 16 - God is Love
Read Nehemiah 9:16-21
Context: The wall around Jerusalem has finally been rebuilt, and the people have spent more than a week honoring God in the Feast of the Tabernacle. They have gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads (v1). They have confessed their sins, and this is a segment of a prayer reviewing God's grace.
Text:
16 "But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey your commands. 17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, 18 even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, 'This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,' or when they committed awful blasphemies.
19 "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. 21 For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I think becoming a parent was a milestone to me in understanding God's love. Although our earthly parental love is but a smidgen of God's love, it gives us a glimpse into his devotion to us. Regardless of what my children do, I know that I love them (and I hope they know the same). I may not like them very much on a particular day, but I know in my heart that I would do whatever it took to help them if needed. Sometimes that help means standing by and watching as they make mistakes, then being there to help them pick up the pieces. Other times it means punishing them and making them hate me for a time.
God does the same to us. He is our greatest supporter, and he always wants the best for us regardless of how many times we fail him. Thank goodness!!!!
Context: The wall around Jerusalem has finally been rebuilt, and the people have spent more than a week honoring God in the Feast of the Tabernacle. They have gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads (v1). They have confessed their sins, and this is a segment of a prayer reviewing God's grace.
Text:
16 "But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey your commands. 17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, 18 even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, 'This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,' or when they committed awful blasphemies.
19 "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. 21 For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I think becoming a parent was a milestone to me in understanding God's love. Although our earthly parental love is but a smidgen of God's love, it gives us a glimpse into his devotion to us. Regardless of what my children do, I know that I love them (and I hope they know the same). I may not like them very much on a particular day, but I know in my heart that I would do whatever it took to help them if needed. Sometimes that help means standing by and watching as they make mistakes, then being there to help them pick up the pieces. Other times it means punishing them and making them hate me for a time.
God does the same to us. He is our greatest supporter, and he always wants the best for us regardless of how many times we fail him. Thank goodness!!!!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Mar 15 - God is Holy
Read Revelation 4:5-11
Context: In his revelation from God, John is just approaching the throne to see what will take place in the future.
Text:
5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Revelation 4:5 Or the sevenfold Spirit
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As a society, and even as a church, I'm not sure we really comprehend the concept of God's holiness. To be holy is to be morally and ethically perfect -- something that we as humans cannot attain. God is the only truly holy one; in fact, the word that is translated as 'holy' is also often translated as 'godly.' The two concepts are inseparable.
When Moses met God for the first time, he was told to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. We talk about having a relationship with Christ/God in our daily lives. Moses is one of the few people who have had a face-to-face relationship with him. In our relationship, we tend to think of God as a close friend, a confidant, a buddy. Yet we see in Moses' relationship there was an intense reverence, a godly fear, an appreciation for God's holy nature. They conversed, they argued, they planned together, but Moses never forgot whom he was talking with and he always knew whom was in charge.
I am thankful that we can have the type of relationship with God that is comfortable, that we can talk with him without fear of being struck dead. But I'm concerned that we lose the sense of his holiness, and that we don't revere him enough. Today, really think about what it means to us that God is holy, and let's not lose our sense of awe over who he really is!
Context: In his revelation from God, John is just approaching the throne to see what will take place in the future.
Text:
5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Revelation 4:5 Or the sevenfold Spirit
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As a society, and even as a church, I'm not sure we really comprehend the concept of God's holiness. To be holy is to be morally and ethically perfect -- something that we as humans cannot attain. God is the only truly holy one; in fact, the word that is translated as 'holy' is also often translated as 'godly.' The two concepts are inseparable.
When Moses met God for the first time, he was told to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. We talk about having a relationship with Christ/God in our daily lives. Moses is one of the few people who have had a face-to-face relationship with him. In our relationship, we tend to think of God as a close friend, a confidant, a buddy. Yet we see in Moses' relationship there was an intense reverence, a godly fear, an appreciation for God's holy nature. They conversed, they argued, they planned together, but Moses never forgot whom he was talking with and he always knew whom was in charge.
I am thankful that we can have the type of relationship with God that is comfortable, that we can talk with him without fear of being struck dead. But I'm concerned that we lose the sense of his holiness, and that we don't revere him enough. Today, really think about what it means to us that God is holy, and let's not lose our sense of awe over who he really is!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Mar 14 - God is All Knowing
Read Matthew 6:1-7, 16-18
Context: Approximately the center of the Sermon on the Mount
Text:
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
When I think of God's omniscience, I am both comforted and terrified! God knows what I want and need long before I do, and I am constantly amazed at the wonderful way things play out. He sets plans in motion so that I can receive his gifts, sometimes years before I have a clue that I have a need or desire.
The other side of that coin, however, is that he knows everything -- in fact he knows
my thoughts before I think them. He knows when I will sin, when I do sin, and when I haven't asked for forgiveness. My prayer is that he, knowing all this, sets plans in motion that will help me avoid the times that I give in to temptation!
Maybe that's why things don't work out the way I want at times when it seems like they should...he's protecting me from myself in some way that I can't even comprehend. I hope I remember that in times of disappointment.
Context: Approximately the center of the Sermon on the Mount
Text:
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
When I think of God's omniscience, I am both comforted and terrified! God knows what I want and need long before I do, and I am constantly amazed at the wonderful way things play out. He sets plans in motion so that I can receive his gifts, sometimes years before I have a clue that I have a need or desire.
The other side of that coin, however, is that he knows everything -- in fact he knows
my thoughts before I think them. He knows when I will sin, when I do sin, and when I haven't asked for forgiveness. My prayer is that he, knowing all this, sets plans in motion that will help me avoid the times that I give in to temptation!
Maybe that's why things don't work out the way I want at times when it seems like they should...he's protecting me from myself in some way that I can't even comprehend. I hope I remember that in times of disappointment.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Mar 13 - God Provides
Read 1 Kings 17:1-6
Context: It has been 140 years since David officially took the throne as King of Israel. With the exception of David and his son, Solomon, most kings during this time did more evil than the ones who ruled before them, and Israel became mired in sin. Ahab became king in 874b.c., and he did more evil than any of those before him. Elijah, the prophet, was called into service by God.
Text:
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe [a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Again and again, throughout the Old Testament and the New, God provides for his people. He provides food, water, comfort, shelter, and even a way out when we are tempted. He doesn't always provide in the way or time that we expect, and often what he provides is different from what we were expecting or hoping for. Nonetheless, he knows what we need and he provides it at just the right time, often just when we have lost all hope of being able to provide for ourselves.
Context: It has been 140 years since David officially took the throne as King of Israel. With the exception of David and his son, Solomon, most kings during this time did more evil than the ones who ruled before them, and Israel became mired in sin. Ahab became king in 874b.c., and he did more evil than any of those before him. Elijah, the prophet, was called into service by God.
Text:
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe [a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Again and again, throughout the Old Testament and the New, God provides for his people. He provides food, water, comfort, shelter, and even a way out when we are tempted. He doesn't always provide in the way or time that we expect, and often what he provides is different from what we were expecting or hoping for. Nonetheless, he knows what we need and he provides it at just the right time, often just when we have lost all hope of being able to provide for ourselves.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Mar 12 - God Follows Through
Read Genesis 3:13-19
Context: The serpent has convinced the woman to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The man, too, has taken a bite and God has confronted them.
Text:
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,
"Cursed are you above all the livestock
and all the wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring [a] and hers;
he will crush [b] your head,
and you will strike his heel."
16 To the woman he said,
"I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;
with pain you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."
17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'
"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Genesis 3:15 Or seed
Genesis 3:15 Or strike
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As a parent, it is easy for me to tell my kids that there will be consequences for disobedience. However, it is often hard to follow through...especially when it means that I have to suffer, too (as in a grounding or not allowing someone to go someplace special). God had given Adam and Eve his instructions, and the serpent had succeeded in his temptation.
God acted swiftly and firmly (most women would say too firmly when it comes to pain in childbirth!). I appreciate that he punished all parties involved...even the serpent. We can't fool ourselves that God won't see and he won't respond to disobedience. He cannot lie, and if he tells us "Don't", we have to know that he means it!
Context: The serpent has convinced the woman to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The man, too, has taken a bite and God has confronted them.
Text:
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,
"Cursed are you above all the livestock
and all the wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring [a] and hers;
he will crush [b] your head,
and you will strike his heel."
16 To the woman he said,
"I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;
with pain you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."
17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'
"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Genesis 3:15 Or seed
Genesis 3:15 Or strike
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As a parent, it is easy for me to tell my kids that there will be consequences for disobedience. However, it is often hard to follow through...especially when it means that I have to suffer, too (as in a grounding or not allowing someone to go someplace special). God had given Adam and Eve his instructions, and the serpent had succeeded in his temptation.
God acted swiftly and firmly (most women would say too firmly when it comes to pain in childbirth!). I appreciate that he punished all parties involved...even the serpent. We can't fool ourselves that God won't see and he won't respond to disobedience. He cannot lie, and if he tells us "Don't", we have to know that he means it!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Mar 9 - Don't Change the Word
Read Mt 5:17-20 and Rev 22:18-19
Context: The first text is from the Sermon on the Mount. The second is basically the close of the whole Bible.
Text:
Mt 5:17-20 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
Rev 22:18-19 18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I decided to see if you were awake today and threw in a KJV version. Actually, I really love the words "jot" and "tittle"...don't they just sound fun?
Even if I weren't convinced that the Bible was the word of God, I think these verses would make me very hesitant to take liberties with the text...I mean, what if I was wrong? I wouldn't be interested in watching anyone suffer from the plagues listed in the Bible...much less suffer them myself. Frogs, gnats, boils, illness, snakes...ugh!
Context: The first text is from the Sermon on the Mount. The second is basically the close of the whole Bible.
Text:
Mt 5:17-20 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
Rev 22:18-19 18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I decided to see if you were awake today and threw in a KJV version. Actually, I really love the words "jot" and "tittle"...don't they just sound fun?
Even if I weren't convinced that the Bible was the word of God, I think these verses would make me very hesitant to take liberties with the text...I mean, what if I was wrong? I wouldn't be interested in watching anyone suffer from the plagues listed in the Bible...much less suffer them myself. Frogs, gnats, boils, illness, snakes...ugh!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Mar 8 - God's Word Works!
Read Isaiah 55:10-11
Context: Isaiah is telling the Hebrews in Babylon to return to Israel and be restored.
Text:
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. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever read a particular verse during your Bible study and then heard that same verse over and over on radio shows, in sermons, and even in books later that day? Do you get the feeling God is trying to tell you something? He is! Even if you don't hear references to the text you read today, God promises that his words will do the work he intended in your life.
The example given in verse 10 helps me to see different ways that God's word might work. Sometimes it will plant a seed in my heart that will grow over time to be ready when needed. Other times it will provide the sustenance I need to get through that particular day. Other times it will add beauty and richness to my life. If I forget to read, I lose a blessing God has for me today.
Context: Isaiah is telling the Hebrews in Babylon to return to Israel and be restored.
Text:
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. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever read a particular verse during your Bible study and then heard that same verse over and over on radio shows, in sermons, and even in books later that day? Do you get the feeling God is trying to tell you something? He is! Even if you don't hear references to the text you read today, God promises that his words will do the work he intended in your life.
The example given in verse 10 helps me to see different ways that God's word might work. Sometimes it will plant a seed in my heart that will grow over time to be ready when needed. Other times it will provide the sustenance I need to get through that particular day. Other times it will add beauty and richness to my life. If I forget to read, I lose a blessing God has for me today.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Mar 7 - Delight in God's Word
Read Psalm 119:9-16
Context: This psalm is an acrostic in the original Hebrew language -- every stanza begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is focused on God's word. According to the NIV Study Bible, it is believed that this was written by someone who was exiled to Babylon. He (or she? doubtful) was obviously passionate about God's word.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I find it hard to imagine that someone would delight in the multitude of laws that are written in the Old Testament. I'm trying to read through the Bible this year, and when I got to Leviticus I stalled for a while. The laws seem so restrictive -- they governed every move an Israelite made.
Praise God that we are not under the law -- His grace has freed us from that. I want to delight in His words about salvation! That seems like a much easier thing to do.
Context: This psalm is an acrostic in the original Hebrew language -- every stanza begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is focused on God's word. According to the NIV Study Bible, it is believed that this was written by someone who was exiled to Babylon. He (or she? doubtful) was obviously passionate about God's word.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I find it hard to imagine that someone would delight in the multitude of laws that are written in the Old Testament. I'm trying to read through the Bible this year, and when I got to Leviticus I stalled for a while. The laws seem so restrictive -- they governed every move an Israelite made.
Praise God that we are not under the law -- His grace has freed us from that. I want to delight in His words about salvation! That seems like a much easier thing to do.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Mar 6 - Using God's Word
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Text:
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
I know that the Bible is the Word of God, but I don't really revere it as such. If I did, I'm sure I'd be more righteous and obedient! Sometimes we get so close to something, so familiar with it, that it no longer reflects the true authority and glory it deserves. I may read my Bible in the morning, but often by lunch time I would have to think really hard to tell you what I learned. I want to be able to read, understand, and learn from God's word, and to continually be awed by the fact that I can actually hold His word in my hand (and my heart).
This verse tells us that we need to go further than just reading and learning, we should use it to help others grow, too.
Text:
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
I know that the Bible is the Word of God, but I don't really revere it as such. If I did, I'm sure I'd be more righteous and obedient! Sometimes we get so close to something, so familiar with it, that it no longer reflects the true authority and glory it deserves. I may read my Bible in the morning, but often by lunch time I would have to think really hard to tell you what I learned. I want to be able to read, understand, and learn from God's word, and to continually be awed by the fact that I can actually hold His word in my hand (and my heart).
This verse tells us that we need to go further than just reading and learning, we should use it to help others grow, too.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Mar 6 - The Word
Read John 1:1-5
Text:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
Footnotes:
John 1:5 Or darkness, and the darkness has not overcome
"One small step for man..."
"Let's roll"
"Where's the beef?"
"Heeere's Johnny"
Words have the power to take us back to a particular moment in time. They can cause us to remember events, pictures, smells, and emotions that we felt the first time we heard them.
In this text, John is actually relating well to both Greeks and Hebrews when he wrote "the Word." The Jews used "the Word" to refer to God, and the Greeks knew it as 'logos', meaning a spoken word or a word still in the mind -- a reason. When the Greeks applied it to the universe, they meant the rational principle that governs all things (NIV Study Bible). There was no doubt in anyone's mind that John's terminology was referring to God.
Yet he says "the Word was with God". How can God be with God? This helps define Christ as a separate entity, yet still God. Those who read this text were taken back to the moments they were by Christ's side.
As God spoke, and as Christ spoke, witnesses were moved to write their words. They recorded their actions and the impacts of their actions. While many proclaim that the Bible was written by men, there is evidence that those men were inspired by God to write His words.
Do you believe this?
Text:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
Footnotes:
John 1:5 Or darkness, and the darkness has not overcome
"One small step for man..."
"Let's roll"
"Where's the beef?"
"Heeere's Johnny"
Words have the power to take us back to a particular moment in time. They can cause us to remember events, pictures, smells, and emotions that we felt the first time we heard them.
In this text, John is actually relating well to both Greeks and Hebrews when he wrote "the Word." The Jews used "the Word" to refer to God, and the Greeks knew it as 'logos', meaning a spoken word or a word still in the mind -- a reason. When the Greeks applied it to the universe, they meant the rational principle that governs all things (NIV Study Bible). There was no doubt in anyone's mind that John's terminology was referring to God.
Yet he says "the Word was with God". How can God be with God? This helps define Christ as a separate entity, yet still God. Those who read this text were taken back to the moments they were by Christ's side.
As God spoke, and as Christ spoke, witnesses were moved to write their words. They recorded their actions and the impacts of their actions. While many proclaim that the Bible was written by men, there is evidence that those men were inspired by God to write His words.
Do you believe this?
Friday, March 2, 2007
Mar 2 - Folly
Read Psalm 14
Context: Written by David, this psalm is a testimony to the folly of evil men (NIV Study Bible)
Text:
1 The fool [a] says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
4 Will evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the LORD ?
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Footnotes:
Psalm 14:1 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As I watch the folly over the burial and funeral of Anna Nicole Smith, it is hard not to think of the foolishness of this world. I have no idea about the condition of her heart upon death, but based on the life she led in public it would be easy to surmise that she was not following Jesus. People are spending an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out where to bury her dead body, but I have yet to hear a moment's concern about her soul.
Our society gets so wrapped up in appearance and celebrity in this world that we forget to look at the eternal picture. I wish that Anna were able to show us what is on the other side...regardless of where she ended up. Maybe a view of eternity in heaven OR hell would cause the tabloids to reconsider what they think is important.
Context: Written by David, this psalm is a testimony to the folly of evil men (NIV Study Bible)
Text:
1 The fool [a] says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
4 Will evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the LORD ?
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Footnotes:
Psalm 14:1 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As I watch the folly over the burial and funeral of Anna Nicole Smith, it is hard not to think of the foolishness of this world. I have no idea about the condition of her heart upon death, but based on the life she led in public it would be easy to surmise that she was not following Jesus. People are spending an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out where to bury her dead body, but I have yet to hear a moment's concern about her soul.
Our society gets so wrapped up in appearance and celebrity in this world that we forget to look at the eternal picture. I wish that Anna were able to show us what is on the other side...regardless of where she ended up. Maybe a view of eternity in heaven OR hell would cause the tabloids to reconsider what they think is important.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Mar 1 - The Reflection of God
Read Psalm 139:13-16
Context: This is a prayer for God to examine the heart and see it's true devotion (NIV Study Bible). It was written by David, a man who knew that God could find fault in his heart. The psalm starts with an admission that even though God knows David inside and out, He is still with him no matter where he goes.
Text:
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
It is pretty easy to remember that God made you and knows you. True, we all have moments (or months!) of self doubt and insecurity, but the knowledge that God created you, cell by cell, to be who you are and where you are at this moment usually helps us to step up to a challenge.
It's harder for me to remember that God knows each human being this well. When I walk past homeless people living in the street, when I see people hanging around street corners in the rougher parts of town, and when I'm face to face with a rude grocery store clerk, I often forget that God made them, too, and He knows them just as well as He knows me.
On those days when I don't see God staring back at me from the mirror, I know I look for Him desperately in other places. Some days I may be the only one who could reflect God to these people, and often I turn away. I pray that today I can reflect Him enough to give others the hope of seeing Him in themselves.
Context: This is a prayer for God to examine the heart and see it's true devotion (NIV Study Bible). It was written by David, a man who knew that God could find fault in his heart. The psalm starts with an admission that even though God knows David inside and out, He is still with him no matter where he goes.
Text:
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
It is pretty easy to remember that God made you and knows you. True, we all have moments (or months!) of self doubt and insecurity, but the knowledge that God created you, cell by cell, to be who you are and where you are at this moment usually helps us to step up to a challenge.
It's harder for me to remember that God knows each human being this well. When I walk past homeless people living in the street, when I see people hanging around street corners in the rougher parts of town, and when I'm face to face with a rude grocery store clerk, I often forget that God made them, too, and He knows them just as well as He knows me.
On those days when I don't see God staring back at me from the mirror, I know I look for Him desperately in other places. Some days I may be the only one who could reflect God to these people, and often I turn away. I pray that today I can reflect Him enough to give others the hope of seeing Him in themselves.
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