Read Amos 3-4
Today's Devotion -- Amos 4:6-12
6 "I gave you empty stomachs in every city
and lack of bread in every town,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
7 "I also withheld rain from you
when the harvest was still three months away.
I sent rain on one town,
but withheld it from another.
One field had rain;
another had none and dried up.
8 People staggered from town to town for water
but did not get enough to drink,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
9 "Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards,
I struck them with blight and mildew.
Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
10 "I sent plagues among you
as I did to Egypt.
I killed your young men with the sword,
along with your captured horses.
I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
11 "I overthrew some of you
as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
12 "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel,
and because I will do this to you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel." (NIV)
Taken from www.biblegateway.com
God will do what it takes to get our attention. He gave the Israelites all they could possibly need...and many things they didn't need, yet they turned away to other gods.
If we honestly look at our lives, we have received an amazing amount of blessings. Our society tends to make people think that they need 'more' -- bigger homes, better cars, more clothes, larger televisions. But if you compare us with many in the world, we are rich beyond their wildest dreams. We probably throw away more food in a day than many people see in a week. Our pets eat better than many children.
Somehow it is easier to forget about God when life is good, but we turn to him quickly in times of trouble. He wants us to live abundant lives, but we are to remember who provides all those good things. More than anything, he wants us to have a relationship with him that involves thanksgiving, worship, and time in prayer. This passage provides a warning to us that he WILL get our attention one way or another...and it makes me want to be sure to keep that relationship strong in good times and bad!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Amos and Jonah, Day 1
Since we won't have our regular class next week (due to the 50th Anniversary Celebration), we can take two weeks to go through our text for the next lesson. We will be studying Amos and Jonah.
Read Amos 1-2
Today's Devotion - Amos 2:13-16
13 "Now then, I will crush you
as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14 The swift will not escape,
the strong will not muster their strength,
and the warrior will not save his life.
15 The archer will not stand his ground,
the fleet-footed soldier will not get away,
and the horseman will not save his life.
16 Even the bravest warriors
will flee naked on that day,"
declares the LORD.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first verses of these chapters talk about how God will crush the enemies of Israel. Through a lowly shepherd, He passes along specific sins of the surrounding communities and provides details of their pending demise. I'm sure the Jewish community was thrilled to know that their enemies would soon feel the ominous wrath of God. Can you imagine their excitement as they waited for their evil neighbors to finally get what they deserved.
But then, God continues with his judgment and he turns to Judah and Israel. All of a sudden, the coming tragedy is on their own shoulders. God specifically talks about their sins -- rejection of the law, worshiping false gods, abusing the poor for selfish gain, adultery, and drinking the wine set aside as an offering.
At the end of the prophesy, God must have sensed that his chosen people may have fallen under the assumption that they would be exempt from the destruction -- maybe thinking that they, individually, were too strong to fall when times got tough. So he adds today's passage, warning that regardless of their standing in the community or their expertise as soldiers, they too would fall.
Why is it that we think we are exempt from the consequences of our actions? Despite indisputable evidence showing the negative results, people still smoke, eat the wrong things, and watch another tv show instead of exercising. We rack up credit card bills without believing that we will get into financial trouble like others do. We put off making repairs or doing routine maintenance to our homes and cars, thinking we can eek by without trouble. Then we seem shocked when inevitable results happen and we wonder why God is putting us through such tough times!
Why is it so hard to do the things we know we should do in the first place?
Read Amos 1-2
Today's Devotion - Amos 2:13-16
13 "Now then, I will crush you
as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14 The swift will not escape,
the strong will not muster their strength,
and the warrior will not save his life.
15 The archer will not stand his ground,
the fleet-footed soldier will not get away,
and the horseman will not save his life.
16 Even the bravest warriors
will flee naked on that day,"
declares the LORD.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first verses of these chapters talk about how God will crush the enemies of Israel. Through a lowly shepherd, He passes along specific sins of the surrounding communities and provides details of their pending demise. I'm sure the Jewish community was thrilled to know that their enemies would soon feel the ominous wrath of God. Can you imagine their excitement as they waited for their evil neighbors to finally get what they deserved.
But then, God continues with his judgment and he turns to Judah and Israel. All of a sudden, the coming tragedy is on their own shoulders. God specifically talks about their sins -- rejection of the law, worshiping false gods, abusing the poor for selfish gain, adultery, and drinking the wine set aside as an offering.
At the end of the prophesy, God must have sensed that his chosen people may have fallen under the assumption that they would be exempt from the destruction -- maybe thinking that they, individually, were too strong to fall when times got tough. So he adds today's passage, warning that regardless of their standing in the community or their expertise as soldiers, they too would fall.
Why is it that we think we are exempt from the consequences of our actions? Despite indisputable evidence showing the negative results, people still smoke, eat the wrong things, and watch another tv show instead of exercising. We rack up credit card bills without believing that we will get into financial trouble like others do. We put off making repairs or doing routine maintenance to our homes and cars, thinking we can eek by without trouble. Then we seem shocked when inevitable results happen and we wonder why God is putting us through such tough times!
Why is it so hard to do the things we know we should do in the first place?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
Sorry I haven't gotten any devotions to you this week. I was in Springfield with my daughter for college orientation and I wasn't able to get wireless connections on campus. Things have been a little crazy with Doug's Dad being sick and Becca's graduation party this week, so I think I'm going to just take the week off.
Please read Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, and I'll see you on Sunday!
Please read Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, and I'll see you on Sunday!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Matthew - Day 4
Read Matthew 17-21
Today's Devotion -- Mt 21:1-11
taken from www.biblegateway.com
If you lived in Jesus' time, whose side would you be on?
Take a look at your personality, your response to peer pressure, and your dedication to traditional values or rules. How do you think you would have responded to this carpenters' ministry?
Would you have dropped everything and followed him immediately because of the miracles he did?
Would you have listened with a skeptical ear, watching and testing everything he said?
Or would you have believed he was a fake and turned away because that's what your beloved (and very intelligent) priest believed?
Many people fell into each category (and probably a few more!). When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the Passover feast, lots of people came to see his procession. Whether they believed or not, they were caught up in the festivities and they cheered. A few short hours later, many people got caught up in the 'festivities' of his death and jeered. Even most of the disciples, his closest companions, abandoned Jesus after spending three years at his side.
I always wonder -- were those who almost rioted to ensure his crucifixion the same people who cheered earlier? Were they swayed easily by peer pressure? Did they hear things that caused them to change their minds about who Jesus really was? How often are our opinions about people changed because we hear new information (without investigating to see what is really true)?
Today's Devotion -- Mt 21:1-11
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."(NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
If you lived in Jesus' time, whose side would you be on?
Take a look at your personality, your response to peer pressure, and your dedication to traditional values or rules. How do you think you would have responded to this carpenters' ministry?
Would you have dropped everything and followed him immediately because of the miracles he did?
Would you have listened with a skeptical ear, watching and testing everything he said?
Or would you have believed he was a fake and turned away because that's what your beloved (and very intelligent) priest believed?
Many people fell into each category (and probably a few more!). When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the Passover feast, lots of people came to see his procession. Whether they believed or not, they were caught up in the festivities and they cheered. A few short hours later, many people got caught up in the 'festivities' of his death and jeered. Even most of the disciples, his closest companions, abandoned Jesus after spending three years at his side.
I always wonder -- were those who almost rioted to ensure his crucifixion the same people who cheered earlier? Were they swayed easily by peer pressure? Did they hear things that caused them to change their minds about who Jesus really was? How often are our opinions about people changed because we hear new information (without investigating to see what is really true)?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Matthew Day 3
Read Matthew 11 - 16
Today's Devotion -- Mt 13:18-23
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Usually when I read the parable of the sower, I think about a group of people hearing God's word for the first time. Some 'get it', some don't. And since I have accepted Christ, I presumed (hoped!) I was one of the people who hear the word, understand it, and produce results for the kingdom of God.
But as I read through the chapters for our study today, looking for some verse to pop out as a good devotion thought, I realized that I am any one (or all) four of these types of people on a given day.
Sometimes I'll read a verse that puzzles me. However, instead of reading the text notes at the bottom of the page or doing a little research, I pass it by and hope to understand it in context. Or most likely I just forget about it and I read on. In essence, I've let the evil one snatch that learning opportunity away.
Other times I'll read a verse that really resonates with me and I make a mental note to remember where it is. I might even underline it for future reference. But an hour later I'd be hard pressed to tell you what that verse was about. And the chances of me leaning on it when tough times come is pretty slim. At best I'll remember 'there is a verse in the Bible somewhere about this....' and I won't be able to find it again.
Many days I take my quiet time and read or study with best of intentions for what I'm learning. But pretty soon my kids wake up, the boys fight, we have places to go and things to do...and any peace or knowledge I gained from my morning time seems to have been lost in the midst of life.
I desperately want to be 'good soil'. I want to be able to read, understand, learn, and remember the messages God has to share. But so often time, distractions, obligations, and my increasingly feeble memory seem to win out.
What disciplines have you put in place to ensure that the things you learn are translated into productive actions for God?
Today's Devotion -- Mt 13:18-23
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Usually when I read the parable of the sower, I think about a group of people hearing God's word for the first time. Some 'get it', some don't. And since I have accepted Christ, I presumed (hoped!) I was one of the people who hear the word, understand it, and produce results for the kingdom of God.
But as I read through the chapters for our study today, looking for some verse to pop out as a good devotion thought, I realized that I am any one (or all) four of these types of people on a given day.
Sometimes I'll read a verse that puzzles me. However, instead of reading the text notes at the bottom of the page or doing a little research, I pass it by and hope to understand it in context. Or most likely I just forget about it and I read on. In essence, I've let the evil one snatch that learning opportunity away.
Other times I'll read a verse that really resonates with me and I make a mental note to remember where it is. I might even underline it for future reference. But an hour later I'd be hard pressed to tell you what that verse was about. And the chances of me leaning on it when tough times come is pretty slim. At best I'll remember 'there is a verse in the Bible somewhere about this....' and I won't be able to find it again.
Many days I take my quiet time and read or study with best of intentions for what I'm learning. But pretty soon my kids wake up, the boys fight, we have places to go and things to do...and any peace or knowledge I gained from my morning time seems to have been lost in the midst of life.
I desperately want to be 'good soil'. I want to be able to read, understand, learn, and remember the messages God has to share. But so often time, distractions, obligations, and my increasingly feeble memory seem to win out.
What disciplines have you put in place to ensure that the things you learn are translated into productive actions for God?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Matthew - Day 2
Today's reading -- Matthew 5 - 10
Today's devotion -- Mt 9:18-26
taken from www.biblegateway.com
At a women's conference last year I had the privilege of listening to Liz Curtiss Higgs, a Christian author and speaker. She has written some of the funniest books I've read, and she has also written some of the most memorable stories based on Biblical characters.
At this conference, Liz talked about this particular passage. Most of us have heard about the woman who desperately grabbed at Jesus' hem, knowing that if she could just touch him she would be healed from her terrible affliction. Because of her bleeding she was considered 'unclean', and anyone she touched would also be unclean and would be required to provide a sacrifice to be back in good graces.
Jesus has had a very busy week. He just returned to his home town and he's preached to a large crowd, probably at Peter's house. He healed a man whose friends had torn through a roof in order to get him close to Jesus. He called Matthew to join the disciples and he feasted at Matthew's home with many tax collectors and sinners. John's disciples have questioned his practices and he has also been riddled with questions and accusations by the Pharisees. Now, as he is heading toward the ruler's home to heal a child, a woman grabs the hem of his garment in an act of extreme faith.
Liz pointed out a couple of interesting facts about this story that I'd never noticed before. If you look at the account that Mark tells (Mk 5:22-43), we find out that the child Jesus heals is twelve years old. She is brought back to life, ready to move forward into adulthood. And the woman he healed has been bleeding for twelve years...the entire lifetime of the child. She too, is essentially brought back to life and is ready to move forward.
A best I can tell, this is the only time Jesus calls a woman 'daughter'. While the temple ruler, Jairus, is advocating for his daughter in the plea for Jesus to heal her, Jesus puts himself in the position of advocate and father for the woman desperate to be healed.
When there is no one else to intervene on our behalf, Jesus himself will step in and full that spot, even when we are unclean. Amazing.
Today's devotion -- Mt 9:18-26
18While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." 19Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
23When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. 25After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26News of this spread through all that region. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
At a women's conference last year I had the privilege of listening to Liz Curtiss Higgs, a Christian author and speaker. She has written some of the funniest books I've read, and she has also written some of the most memorable stories based on Biblical characters.
At this conference, Liz talked about this particular passage. Most of us have heard about the woman who desperately grabbed at Jesus' hem, knowing that if she could just touch him she would be healed from her terrible affliction. Because of her bleeding she was considered 'unclean', and anyone she touched would also be unclean and would be required to provide a sacrifice to be back in good graces.
Jesus has had a very busy week. He just returned to his home town and he's preached to a large crowd, probably at Peter's house. He healed a man whose friends had torn through a roof in order to get him close to Jesus. He called Matthew to join the disciples and he feasted at Matthew's home with many tax collectors and sinners. John's disciples have questioned his practices and he has also been riddled with questions and accusations by the Pharisees. Now, as he is heading toward the ruler's home to heal a child, a woman grabs the hem of his garment in an act of extreme faith.
Liz pointed out a couple of interesting facts about this story that I'd never noticed before. If you look at the account that Mark tells (Mk 5:22-43), we find out that the child Jesus heals is twelve years old. She is brought back to life, ready to move forward into adulthood. And the woman he healed has been bleeding for twelve years...the entire lifetime of the child. She too, is essentially brought back to life and is ready to move forward.
A best I can tell, this is the only time Jesus calls a woman 'daughter'. While the temple ruler, Jairus, is advocating for his daughter in the plea for Jesus to heal her, Jesus puts himself in the position of advocate and father for the woman desperate to be healed.
When there is no one else to intervene on our behalf, Jesus himself will step in and full that spot, even when we are unclean. Amazing.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Matthew -- Day 1
This week we are popping up to the New Testament to give us a balance between the old and new covenants. Matthew has 28 chapters, so that would give us 5-6 chapters per day if we try to finish it all by Friday. Matthew's chapters are quite long, so I'll try to pull out some key chapters for us.
Today, read chapters 1-4. This covers the time from the birth of Jesus until he's called the first disciples.
Today's devotion: Mt 1:1-17
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Ok, I know, you think I must be crazy to have you read a genealogy! Hey, at least it's in the NIV, so you don't have to worry about all the 'begets'!
While genealogies can be rather boring (and hard to pronounce), it is fascinating to see the characters who were part of Christ's lineage. How many names do you recognize from our Old Testament study so far? A few of the key ones:
Abraham -- father of the Jewish race
Isaac -- the promised one that Sarai couldn't wait for
Jacob -- the one who stole his brother's birthright
Judah -- who sold his brother Joseph to a band of gypsies
Tamar -- who tricked her father-in-law, Judah, into making her pregnant
Rahab -- the prostitute in Jericho, mother of Boaz
Ruth -- the Moabite who followed her mother-in-law back to Israel
David -- the king who sinned with Bathsheba
Solomon -- the wisest, yet he kept many wives and concubines despite God's warnings
In addition, many of the most evil kings in Judean history are included on that list!
Yet from this line of losers came the King of all Kings, our Lord and our salvation.
It is so encouraging to me that God uses real, flawed human beings to do his will. He doesn't want us to be perfect, but he will use our imperfection to achieve great and wonderful things. Even today, he calls on those of us who are weak, selfish, and stained by sin to show his amazing love to others. And he loves us more than we can comprehend... regardless of how we act. Isn't that amazing?
Today, read chapters 1-4. This covers the time from the birth of Jesus until he's called the first disciples.
Today's devotion: Mt 1:1-17
1A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
7Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
15Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Ok, I know, you think I must be crazy to have you read a genealogy! Hey, at least it's in the NIV, so you don't have to worry about all the 'begets'!
While genealogies can be rather boring (and hard to pronounce), it is fascinating to see the characters who were part of Christ's lineage. How many names do you recognize from our Old Testament study so far? A few of the key ones:
Abraham -- father of the Jewish race
Isaac -- the promised one that Sarai couldn't wait for
Jacob -- the one who stole his brother's birthright
Judah -- who sold his brother Joseph to a band of gypsies
Tamar -- who tricked her father-in-law, Judah, into making her pregnant
Rahab -- the prostitute in Jericho, mother of Boaz
Ruth -- the Moabite who followed her mother-in-law back to Israel
David -- the king who sinned with Bathsheba
Solomon -- the wisest, yet he kept many wives and concubines despite God's warnings
In addition, many of the most evil kings in Judean history are included on that list!
Yet from this line of losers came the King of all Kings, our Lord and our salvation.
It is so encouraging to me that God uses real, flawed human beings to do his will. He doesn't want us to be perfect, but he will use our imperfection to achieve great and wonderful things. Even today, he calls on those of us who are weak, selfish, and stained by sin to show his amazing love to others. And he loves us more than we can comprehend... regardless of how we act. Isn't that amazing?
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