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7/18/2010 - The Upside Of The Downside Of Life Romans 5:3-5
The Upside Of The Downside Of Life
Observation: We all hate hard times. We hate facing difficulties and set backs. Paul tells us that we can rejoice when we face these kinds of circumstances. Why? They produce something good in us. They teach us endurance and endurance produces a stronger character inside of us. What kind of person do we instinctively trust? We trust those who have been through tough times and have persevered in the midst of them. We sense that they are not going to easily change on us or give up on us. We sense that they are people of substance. Application/Confession: I can see this issue from both sides. I see how hard times have tempered and matured me as a person. I am also currently facing less severe, but trials none the less. I really want to be faithful and grow that next measure that God has for me. He is teaching me about faith and I want to completely learn the lessons. PRAYER: Thank You for hard times. They are good for me. Even though I hate them, I will rejoice in them because of what You are working in me. Do Your work (and quickly, if You can) through the trials I am facing. 7/17/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 24-26:11; Romans 4:1-12; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 19:15-16 7/17/2010 - Stress May Be OK Proverbs 19:15
Stress May Be OK REFERENCE: Proverbs 19:15 Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry. Don´t forget the other side of the equation. If we have no stress, we have no accomplishment and if we have no accomplishment we will be lacking in our lives. Idleness, laziness, the pursuit of the totally stress free life, leaves us in need and wanting for our basic necessities.
7/16/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 22-23:32; Romans 3:9-31; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 19:13-14 7/16/2010 - Preparing Our Kids I Chronicles 22:5, 11-13
Preparing OUr Kids Observation: Just like David could not build the temple for Solomon, we can not deal with the challenges of our childrens lives for them. They have to face them - especially when they get into adulthood. We can't live their lives, but we can prepare them. How did David prepare Solomon to face the challenges that would come up? First, he gathered the stuff that Solomon would need. This is like the education, the training that our kids need to succeed. We can't always pay for college for them but we can help them to figure out how to make it happen. We can train them practically in how to handle money, take care of their things, or manage people effectively. We can pray with them and discuss with them where God wants them to go to college or to finish their training.Second, David prepared Solomon in regards to his character. He taught him to obey God. He taught him how important strength and courage is. He trained him not to give up when things get hard or fear inducing. We must do this too with our kids. Training their character is even more important than providing for them educationally or financially - and it is something every one of us as parents can do. It costs us nothing more than our time and commitment. Like David, if we want to have children who can successful face the challenges God will put before them in their lives, we need to commit ourselves to preparing them. We can't live their lives for them but we can get them ready. My twins are 11 years old and my daughter Sarah asked me today for a monthly "date". It should have been asking her! With the older girls, these monthly get togethers we so valuable in training their character and generally inputting into their lives. I am thankful that I can start again, when I know better how to do it, with Sarah. Help me with Sarah and Sam. I want them to be prepared as well. If I am faithful and You bless them, they will be. 7/15/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 19-21:30; Romans 2:25-3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12 7/15/2010 - So You Want To Change? Romans 2:29
So You Want To change? Observation: Life and growth is all about changing. I have often been asked if I believe that people can change. I have to believe it. I preach for change every Sunday morning. I counsel for it all the time. I train leaders to change to be better at what God has called them to do. I insist that my younger children change and become more of what God wants them to be. It is obvious that everyone needs to change; the question we must face is "how"? How do we change? We can try to just be better. That is the equivalent of following the law. When Paul wrote this, his audience could reflect on thousands of years the Jewish people had tried to change in order to conform to the law - and failed. Trying harder simply does not work. The more we try, the more we think about our old ways and more we continue to live in them. As we all know, about 90% of all diets fail because change is hard!! If trying harder rarely works, what does? I agree with this scripture. The permanent change in my life has been by the work of God´s Spirit changing me; making me gentler, more loving, less angry, and less driven. I tried to change those things on my own and found myself unable but when I sought the Spirit to change me and let God make of me what He wanted, change came because He changed my heart and not just my actions.
7/14/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17; Romans 2:1-24; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 19:8-9 7/14/2010 - If You Really Love Yourself . . . Proverbs 19:8
If You Really Love Yourself . . . Solomon suggests true love for ones self is to acquire wisdom. Wisdom simply makes our lives work better. It ultimately brings happiness and fulfillment. It makes things work. Sometimes our indulgences, in the name of caring for ourselves, actually bring destruction instead of fulfillment. For example, there are a lot of people today mired in debt because of money spent on self care. The self care was temporary; the debt feels like it will last forever. Others have, unwisely, violated their marriage vows because some other relationship seemed to offer them happiness and fulfillment. In the name of loving themselves they pursued folly instead of wisdom and brought destruction into their life and family. Let´s do what this verse says; let´s really love ourselves and let´s get some wisdom.
7/13/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 15-16:36; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 19:6-7 7/13/2010 - Fools Encouraging Fools Romans 1:28 & 32
Fools Encouraging Fools This scripture tells us that the result of thinking that a belief in God is foolish, is to become foolish. The result of rejecting the idea of God, active in the universe, is the ridiculous conclusion that all we can see has come about on its own, without design or pattern. Now that´s foolishness. The result of rejecting a God who sets a moral code is the belief that we can live however each one sees fit and not end up with chaos and destruction. We are finding out, practically, how foolish that is. What is sad is not just that people have rejected God and His principles for life, but that they have encouraged others to do so as well. The message of much of the entertainment media in our country is; "Do what your heart desires and it will all work out." If we are brave enough to look around us carefully, we can see the obvious and negative results of a whole society that, increasingly, believes that God is irrelevant to the moral choices we make. We have become foolish, as a country, as a result.
7/12/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5 7/12/2010 - Only Believe Romans 1:17
Only Believe It seems that, in so many areas, we say to God, "thanks for the salvation, I´ll take it from here." We say that when we should be trusting God with our finances. We say that when we should be trusting God with our families. We say that when we are trying to overcome temptation in our own power. We need to learn that this Christian walk is all about faith - from first to last. Every challenge we face should be responded to with belief exhibited by fervent prayer that counts on the fact that God will do what He has promised.
7/11/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 11-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 19:1-3 Don´t Get So Excited! (at Least So Quickly) The second reason that enthusiasm without knowledge is no good is that enthusiasm alone is not enough. Gloria and I remodeled our home. Beyond getting excited about doing it, we had to find out how to do it. I wanted to refinish the wood floors we have myself. My brother, who is a contractor, tells me that this would not be a good idea. I have the enthusiasm, I don´t have the knowledge and so I probably would do a poor job. Before we dove into any of our projects, we studied and asked knowledgably people. We wanted to add to our excitement wisdom and that is what knowledge brings. Many people dive into whatever catches their fancy. They don´t ask God, they don´t get wise counsel. Then, when it blows up in their face, (as this approach inevitably will) they blame God. I have had perfectly intelligent people sit across from me in counseling and ask of their obviously poor choice; "why didn´t God stop me!" They had not asked Him, they were not listening to Him, but they are upset at Him that He did not stop Him. If we want God´s involvement in our decisions and directions, the time to involve Him is at the beginning. Before we pursue our enthusiasms, ask Him; find out if He is as excited about it as we are. Then we will be in a place of true safety.
PRAYER: Thank you for my enthusiasm and energy. Teach me to focus them on the things You are doing and blessing. 7/10/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 9-10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24 7/10/2010 - If I Could See Me Now! Psalms 8:3-8
If I Could See ME NOW! REFERENCE: Psalms 8:3-8 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority; 7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
What this means to us practically is that now we can, and must, live as people of honor and glory. If we could grasp what that means, we would never allow the glorious beings that we are roll in the mud of sin. We would never think of ourselves as worthless or unlovable. We would not put ourselves in situations where we would be devalued and abused. We would pray and take authority over the situations around us like people of real power. In Jesus, this is who we are. We can, we must, live like it.
PRAYER: God You made me a little lower than You Yourself, full of glory and honor. Please give me the grace to live up to who I really am. 7/9/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 7-8:40; Acts 27:1-20; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 18:22 How You Treat Them Is How They will Be REFERENCE: Proverbs 18:22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. A person who feels treasured acts out of love. A person who feels put down and devalued acts out of a need to reestablish their position of value and may resort to anger, demands, recriminations and, ultimately, bitterness. There is great value in every human, including your spouse!! We should remind ourselves of that and live like it.
7/8/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21 7/8/2010 - The Value of Experience Acts 26
The Value of Experience Observation: There has been, for quite some time, a controversy about the place of experience in the Christian life. Some believe that there is way too much emphasis placed on it, and that this leads to the danger of being led astray from biblical orthodoxy. Others will make the point that Christianity is by nature an experiential religion. While they acknowledge the dangers inherent in emphasizing experience, they also realize this is the way God seemed to have planned it. Into this discussion comes this story of Paul. He had, no doubt, studied the scripture from the time of his youth and when the Christians began saying that Jesus was the Messiah, he opposed them and their ideas to the point of having them imprisoned and even killed. So what happened to him that made him the greatest proponent of Christianity? It was an experience. We see in this passage, very clearly, that Paul himself interpreted scripture, very clearly, in the light of his experience. After his encounter with Jesus in a dramatic vision, he went back to the Old Testament and found the Jesus was predicted by the prophets and taught that to anyone who would listen. What can we learn by this? Certainly not to take every experience and make a new orthodoxy ought of it. Both God and Satan are in the experience business. Yet it ought to make us become more open to allowing God to speak to us through experience. Certainly, having had the experience, we should, like Paul, go back to scripture to authenticate what has happened to us. Still, we need to see that God reveals His truth to us both in His Word and directly in what happens between us and Him. The kind of insight that comes purely by revelation is no less valuable and important. God wants us to be people who know Him, experience Him and learn from our interaction with Him. Let’s just be careful not to allow our experience to negate the written Word of God but rather to give us new insight into it and confirmation of what it says.
7/7/2010 - Bible Reading for Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19 7/7/2010 - I Chron. 4:9 The Prayer of Jabez Revisited
The Prayer of Jabez Revisited
Observation: It seems that the Prayer of Jabez is so popular because it fits so neatly into what we would like life to be like--expansion of our territory, freedom from pain and trouble. There is no question that God answered Jabez's prayer but it is not at all clear that all of this is God's purpose for most of us--maybe Jabez was the exception rather than the rule. Certainly God wants to expand our territory--He wants to increase the arena in which we can extend Godly influence with our lives and He certainly wants to bless us and be with us. Application/Confession: I want to be free from pain and trouble. Yet, I know I have more growing to do, I just don't wanna!! PRAYER: Lord, I know You want to "expand my territory". I know You want me to realize Your presence with me at all times. So, Lord, I submit to the process You must take me through. You know what You are doing and I trust You with my life. 7/6/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18 7/6/2010 - I Like My Chances With God Proverbs 18:18
I Like My Chances With God
REFERENCE: Proverbs 18:18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. Observation: Flipping a coin, or in Bible times casting lots is such a simple way to settle a dispute, or to discern God's will. It sounds so haphazard or unspiritual. But then, why should it have to be so complicated to find God's will. Consider the example of Achan and the battle of Ai. Joshua cast lots to choose the tribe, then the family, next the household,and finally the man responsible for Israel's defeat. Maybe it takes childlike faith to believe God can speak to us in the same way. Application/Confession: Knowing the will of God for specific situations can seem so mysterious. I tend to pour over relevant scripture, council with Godly leaders with experience, pray and sometimes fast to discern God's purpose and plan for me or for others. I'm hoping for a dream, or better yet an audible voice that declares, "Thus saith the Lord thy God'. What the Lord wants most of all is for my heart to be soft to His Spirit. Of course there are some really bad choices to avoid, and wisdom definitely is important. But if a decision comes down to one of two or more relatively positive choices, God honors the heart that trusts Him to guide in the simplest ways. So why not flip for it, or rock, paper, scissors. I like my chances with God. PRAYER: God, help me to trust in You. You have good plans for me, to prosper me and not to harm me. You're not waiting to squash me like a bug or make me pay if I make a less than perfect decision. Plus, You promise to work all things together for good for me. Like the saying goes, "God can't steer a parked car". Keep me moving forward and use any means necessary to guide me in the best path for Your blessings. 7/5/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 1 Chronicles 1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15 7/5/2010 - Have I Got a Plan for You! Acts 23:11
Have I Got a Plan for You! REFERENCE: Acts 23:11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, Observation: God shows His grace to Paul by speaking to him about the call on his life. God tells Paul that he will be God's witness in Rome at some point in the future. Things are looking anything but promising for Paul at the moment. He is being held as a prisoner, after being nearly torn to pieces by the Jewish council. A large group of the Jews were forming a plot to take his life. Paul is reassured that he is in the Lord's will, and God's plan will come to pass. It is interesting that the next day, Paul doesn't announce to his captors,"God told me I'm going to Rome", nor in any of his future interactions with leaders deciding his fate does Paul specifically ask to be sent there. He has God's personal assurance, and he leaves it to Him to bring it to pass. Application/Confession: How awesome to hear God's voice and know His call on your life! How many times do we get ahead of God, or maybe we know the Spirit is leading us to do something, but we try to make it happen in our way, in our time. I know I get nervous, at times, about a promise God made to me personally or in His word. I need to trust that if God said it it will happen, and not strive in my own strenth or through my own scheming to make it happen. PRAYER: Thank You, Lord for the promises in Your Word. Thank You for the call You have on my life. Help me to trust You to be faithful to Your Word, and to walk in confidence knowing none of Your plans for me will fail. 7/4/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13 7/4/2010 - Declare Your Dependence Acts 22:25 & 23:6
Declare Your Dependence
Acts 22:25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?" Acts 23:6 Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!"
Observation: Paul uses his citizenship rights to his advantage to avoid a beating by the Roman guards. Then in his appearance before the Jewish council he invokes his membership in the sect of Pharisees to divide the group and gain some support from other members. In both cases, Paul declares his dependence on respected standards to ensure his favorable treatment. Application/Confession: As America celebrates its Independence Day today, we must first acknowledge our total dependence on God's grace and mercy- individually and as a people. Praise God for the rights and freedoms we enjoy in this country. Just as Paul's citizenship as a Roman provided rights respected in his time, so our American constitutional rights allow us to worship God and express our faith freely.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the feedom I have to worship and live for You. Let me take full advantage to be a witness for You. 7/3/2010 - Bible Reading For Today
"One Year Bible" Reading 2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12 |
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