"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).
I've observed a principle: The pathway to leadership almost always takes us through the valley of adversity. We see this principle not only in the story of Joseph, who endured thirteen years of adversity, but also in the lives of many other leaders in both the Old and New Testament.
Moses was raised in the royal splendor of Pharaoh's household in Egypt, but he was forced to flee and spend 40 years in desert exile before God spoke from a burning bush and called him to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Joshua spent the years of his youth as a slave in Egypt and his middle-aged years wandering in the desert at Moses' side. He was well acquainted with adversity when God called him to lead Israel's armies in the conquest of Canaan. The prophet Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions before he could reach a place of power and influence in the Babylonian courts. And we see this same pattern played out in the lives of David, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea and other Old Testament leaders.
Turning to the New Testament, we see that even Jesus had to face adversity in the desert, suffering hunger, thirst, temptation and opposition from Satan. Only then could He begin His public ministry. The Lord's disciples had to endure the loss of their Master, the failure of their own faith and character, and the dark days of despair between the cross and the empty tomb before they could become the founding leaders of the Lord's church.
It's hard to find anyone in Christian history who became a great leader without earning an advanced degree at the "University of Adversity."
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 15-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 11-12 & Luke 6:1-26
Historical: I Samuel 18-20
Chronological: Judges 1-2
Blended: Proverbs 22-24 & Hebrews 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Springs of Water
"And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:11
A father and his son were camped in a wooded area a little ways from the nearest village. The father had a letter which needed mailing and asked his don to take it to the post office in the village. The father took his son to the edge of camp and showed him the trail which led to the village. "But Father," said the little boy, "I don't see how that path will ever reach town," The father took his hand in his and pointed explaining, "See down the trail to that big tree where the trail seems to come to an end?" "Oh, yes, sir, I see that the path goes that far; but the village is not there!" "Well, when you get to that big tree, you will see further on around the bend and down the trail. Just go to the tree and then follow the trail until you come to the next corner, then look ahead and follow it some more until you see some houses. When you come to the houses, you will see the post office. There you can mail my letter!"
I know not when or where I go from this familiar scene;
But He is here and He is there, and all the way between.
And when I pass from all I know, to that dim, vast unknown,
Though late I stay or soon I go, I shall not go alone. - selected.
The love of God quite as often withholds the view of the entire distance of the winding path through life. He reveals it to us step by step and from corner to corner. Hence it is necessary to trust Him to lead, for He can see around the bend in the road. He knows what lies ahead, an whether we can cope with the situation now or later. He consults our wants, not our wishes, like a wise and loving Father. He corners are not the end of the way. Corners discipline faith, teach us patience to walk step by step, and fit us for blessing. Because our vision is limited, it causes us to continually seek HIs guidance.
By Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Springs in the Valley"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 13-14
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 9-10 & Luke 5:17-39
Historical: I Samuel 15-17
Chronological: Judges 1-2
Blended: Poverbs 19-21 & Hebrews 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
A father and his son were camped in a wooded area a little ways from the nearest village. The father had a letter which needed mailing and asked his don to take it to the post office in the village. The father took his son to the edge of camp and showed him the trail which led to the village. "But Father," said the little boy, "I don't see how that path will ever reach town," The father took his hand in his and pointed explaining, "See down the trail to that big tree where the trail seems to come to an end?" "Oh, yes, sir, I see that the path goes that far; but the village is not there!" "Well, when you get to that big tree, you will see further on around the bend and down the trail. Just go to the tree and then follow the trail until you come to the next corner, then look ahead and follow it some more until you see some houses. When you come to the houses, you will see the post office. There you can mail my letter!"
I know not when or where I go from this familiar scene;
But He is here and He is there, and all the way between.
And when I pass from all I know, to that dim, vast unknown,
Though late I stay or soon I go, I shall not go alone. - selected.
The love of God quite as often withholds the view of the entire distance of the winding path through life. He reveals it to us step by step and from corner to corner. Hence it is necessary to trust Him to lead, for He can see around the bend in the road. He knows what lies ahead, an whether we can cope with the situation now or later. He consults our wants, not our wishes, like a wise and loving Father. He corners are not the end of the way. Corners discipline faith, teach us patience to walk step by step, and fit us for blessing. Because our vision is limited, it causes us to continually seek HIs guidance.
By Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Springs in the Valley"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 13-14
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 9-10 & Luke 5:17-39
Historical: I Samuel 15-17
Chronological: Judges 1-2
Blended: Poverbs 19-21 & Hebrews 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 4-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 4-6 & Luke 4:31-44
Historical: I Samuel 9-12
Chronological: Joshua 19-21
Blended: Proverbs 13-15 & Titus 2
Sunday:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 9-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 7-8 & Luke 5:1-16
Historical: I Samuel 13-14
Chronological: Joshua 22-24
Blended: Proverbs 16-18 & Titus 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 4-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 4-6 & Luke 4:31-44
Historical: I Samuel 9-12
Chronological: Joshua 19-21
Blended: Proverbs 13-15 & Titus 2
Sunday:
Beginning to End: I Samuel 9-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 7-8 & Luke 5:1-16
Historical: I Samuel 13-14
Chronological: Joshua 22-24
Blended: Proverbs 16-18 & Titus 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, March 27, 2009
Not Left to Perish
"For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither will Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" (Psalm 16:10).
This word has it proper fulfillment in the LORD Jesus; but it applies also, with a variation, to all who are in Him. Our soul shall not be left in the separate state, and our body, though it see corruption, shall rise again. The general meaning, rather than the specific application, is that to which we would call our readers' thoughts at this particular time.
We may descend in spirit very low till we seem to be plunged in the abyss of hell; but we shall not be left there. We may appear to be at death's door in heart, and soul, and consciousness; but we cannot remain there. Our inward death as to joy and hope may proceed very far; but it cannot run on to its full consequences, so as to reach the utter corruption of black despair, We may go very low, but not lower than the LORD permits; we may stay in the lowest dungeon of doubt for a while, but we shall not perish there. The star of hope is still in the sky when the night is blackest. The LORD will not forget us and hand us over to the enemy. Let us rest in hope, We have to deal with One whose mercy endureth forever. Surely, out of death, and darkness, and despair we shall yet arise to life, light, and liberty.
By C.H. Spurgeon taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 1 Samuel 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 1-3 & Luke 4:1-30
Historical: 1 Samuel 4-8
Chronological: Joshua 16-18
Blended: Proverbs 10-12 & Titus 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
This word has it proper fulfillment in the LORD Jesus; but it applies also, with a variation, to all who are in Him. Our soul shall not be left in the separate state, and our body, though it see corruption, shall rise again. The general meaning, rather than the specific application, is that to which we would call our readers' thoughts at this particular time.
We may descend in spirit very low till we seem to be plunged in the abyss of hell; but we shall not be left there. We may appear to be at death's door in heart, and soul, and consciousness; but we cannot remain there. Our inward death as to joy and hope may proceed very far; but it cannot run on to its full consequences, so as to reach the utter corruption of black despair, We may go very low, but not lower than the LORD permits; we may stay in the lowest dungeon of doubt for a while, but we shall not perish there. The star of hope is still in the sky when the night is blackest. The LORD will not forget us and hand us over to the enemy. Let us rest in hope, We have to deal with One whose mercy endureth forever. Surely, out of death, and darkness, and despair we shall yet arise to life, light, and liberty.
By C.H. Spurgeon taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: 1 Samuel 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 1-3 & Luke 4:1-30
Historical: 1 Samuel 4-8
Chronological: Joshua 16-18
Blended: Proverbs 10-12 & Titus 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, March 26, 2009
His Commission to Us
"Feed My sheep." John 21:17
This is love in the making. The love of God is not created— it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" ( John 20:21 ).
Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord’s piercing question. The Lord’s next point is— "Pour yourself out. Don’t testify about how much you love Me and don’t talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just ’Feed My sheep.’ " Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God’s love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions— I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Ruth
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 22-24 & Luke 3
Historical: 1 Samuel 1-3
Chronological: Joshua 12-15
Blended: Proverbs 8-9 & I Cor. 16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
This is love in the making. The love of God is not created— it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" ( John 20:21 ).
Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord’s piercing question. The Lord’s next point is— "Pour yourself out. Don’t testify about how much you love Me and don’t talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just ’Feed My sheep.’ " Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God’s love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions— I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Ruth
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 22-24 & Luke 3
Historical: 1 Samuel 1-3
Chronological: Joshua 12-15
Blended: Proverbs 8-9 & I Cor. 16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A Slave for Christ
"Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ." I Corinthians 4:1
The apostle Paul was a "servant" of Christ. It was a role he chose out of love, not fear.
There were perhaps millions of slaves in the Roman Empire. For the most part, they were treated not as persons but as objects. If a master wanted to kill a slave, he could do so without fear of punishment. Thought it was a negative term to the Romans, the word slave meant dignity, honor, and respect to the Hebrews, and the Greeks considered it a term of humility. As a servant of Christ, then, Paul paradoxically finds himself both exalted and debased. This is the ambivalence every representative of Jesus Christ must face.
When I think of the honor I've been given to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am sometimes overwhelmed. There is no higher calling in life than to proclaim the gospel from the pulpit and to be able to teach the Word of God under the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet there is also a paradox that requires a minister of Christ to realize he does not deserve to minister. He must have the proper perspective of being an unworthy slave who has the incomprehensible privilege of proclaiming the gospel.
By John MacArthr, taken from "Truth for Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 19-21 & Luke 2:25-52
Historical: Judges 19-21
Chronological: Joshua 9-11
Blended: Proverbs 6-7 & I Cor. 15:29-58
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
The apostle Paul was a "servant" of Christ. It was a role he chose out of love, not fear.
There were perhaps millions of slaves in the Roman Empire. For the most part, they were treated not as persons but as objects. If a master wanted to kill a slave, he could do so without fear of punishment. Thought it was a negative term to the Romans, the word slave meant dignity, honor, and respect to the Hebrews, and the Greeks considered it a term of humility. As a servant of Christ, then, Paul paradoxically finds himself both exalted and debased. This is the ambivalence every representative of Jesus Christ must face.
When I think of the honor I've been given to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am sometimes overwhelmed. There is no higher calling in life than to proclaim the gospel from the pulpit and to be able to teach the Word of God under the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet there is also a paradox that requires a minister of Christ to realize he does not deserve to minister. He must have the proper perspective of being an unworthy slave who has the incomprehensible privilege of proclaiming the gospel.
By John MacArthr, taken from "Truth for Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Judges 19-21 & Luke 2:25-52
Historical: Judges 19-21
Chronological: Joshua 9-11
Blended: Proverbs 6-7 & I Cor. 15:29-58
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Serving in Obedience
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is not activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Shoel where you are going." Ecclesiastes 9:10
Serving is one of the greatest things we can do for the Lord. I think sometimes it is hard to serve and never really see the fruits of our service. Yet the Lord is not calling us to serve Him so that we can see results for ourselves. Those results are up to Him and if we follow Him He will be able to use us to reach others. And the results may never be known in our lifetime. I like what the above verse says, "Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might". No matter where we serve within the Body we are called to serve with all our might. We are called to do our best. And to do our best for the Lord and those He is trying to reach though us.
He calls us to serve Him in obedience. I like what my devotional thought for the day had to say about obedience:
"Nothing pleases Him so well as our obedience. It is told of a great philosopher that a friend called one day to see him, and was entertained by the philosopher's little daughter until her father came in. The friend supposed that the child of so wise a man would be learning something very deep. So he asked her, 'What is your father teaching you?' The little maid looked up into his face with her clear eyes and said, 'Obedience." That is the one great lesson our Lord is teaching us. He wants us to learn obedience. If we obey Him always we shall always be doing things for Him." - J. R. Miller (from "Making the Most of Life")
I also like what my devotional thought had to say about serving in a smaller role:
"We do things for Christ which we do through love to Him. Even obedience without love does not please Him. But the smallest services can render, if love inspire them, He accepts. Thus we can make the commonest tasks of our lives holy ministries, as sacred as what the angels do." - J. R. Miller (from "Making the Most of Life")
Whatever we do, great or small in the eyes of the world, we need to do it in obedience to God. To obey God is to obey His Word. To obey His Word means we need to be reading and memorizing it. We need to be in church learning and hearing it. That way we will know how to obey Him. And when we do, we do it with all our might. We give it our best and only the best. Why? Because we love God!
Krista Jones
7.26.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 16-18 & Luke 2:1-24
Historical: Judges 16-18
Chronological: Joshua 5-8
Blended: Proverbs 3-5 & I Cor. 15:1-28
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Serving is one of the greatest things we can do for the Lord. I think sometimes it is hard to serve and never really see the fruits of our service. Yet the Lord is not calling us to serve Him so that we can see results for ourselves. Those results are up to Him and if we follow Him He will be able to use us to reach others. And the results may never be known in our lifetime. I like what the above verse says, "Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might". No matter where we serve within the Body we are called to serve with all our might. We are called to do our best. And to do our best for the Lord and those He is trying to reach though us.
He calls us to serve Him in obedience. I like what my devotional thought for the day had to say about obedience:
"Nothing pleases Him so well as our obedience. It is told of a great philosopher that a friend called one day to see him, and was entertained by the philosopher's little daughter until her father came in. The friend supposed that the child of so wise a man would be learning something very deep. So he asked her, 'What is your father teaching you?' The little maid looked up into his face with her clear eyes and said, 'Obedience." That is the one great lesson our Lord is teaching us. He wants us to learn obedience. If we obey Him always we shall always be doing things for Him." - J. R. Miller (from "Making the Most of Life")
I also like what my devotional thought had to say about serving in a smaller role:
"We do things for Christ which we do through love to Him. Even obedience without love does not please Him. But the smallest services can render, if love inspire them, He accepts. Thus we can make the commonest tasks of our lives holy ministries, as sacred as what the angels do." - J. R. Miller (from "Making the Most of Life")
Whatever we do, great or small in the eyes of the world, we need to do it in obedience to God. To obey God is to obey His Word. To obey His Word means we need to be reading and memorizing it. We need to be in church learning and hearing it. That way we will know how to obey Him. And when we do, we do it with all our might. We give it our best and only the best. Why? Because we love God!
Krista Jones
7.26.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 16-18 & Luke 2:1-24
Historical: Judges 16-18
Chronological: Joshua 5-8
Blended: Proverbs 3-5 & I Cor. 15:1-28
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, March 23, 2009
Gratitude
"God, I will thank you forever for what you have done. With those who worship you, I will trust you because you are good." Psalm 52:9
Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It's being able to look at what you have and being thankful for that, rather than longing for what you don't have.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 13-15 & Luke 1:57-80
Historical: Joshua 1-4
Chronological: Deut. 28-29
Blended: Proverbs 1-2 & I Cor. 14:21-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It's being able to look at what you have and being thankful for that, rather than longing for what you don't have.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 13-15 & Luke 1:57-80
Historical: Joshua 1-4
Chronological: Deut. 28-29
Blended: Proverbs 1-2 & I Cor. 14:21-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Judges 8-9
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 7-9 & Luke 1:21-38
Historical: Judges 8-9
Chronological: Deut. 30-31
Blended: Job 38-40 & I Cor. 13
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Judges 10-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 10-12 & Luke 1:39-56
Historical: Judges 10-12
Chronological: Deut. 32-34; Psalm 91
Blended: Job 39-40 & I Cor. 14:1-20
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Judges 8-9
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 7-9 & Luke 1:21-38
Historical: Judges 8-9
Chronological: Deut. 30-31
Blended: Job 38-40 & I Cor. 13
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Judges 10-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 10-12 & Luke 1:39-56
Historical: Judges 10-12
Chronological: Deut. 32-34; Psalm 91
Blended: Job 39-40 & I Cor. 14:1-20
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, March 20, 2009
What Are We Holding On To?
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:12
Tolkien’s classic "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy came to life in recent years on film. In the second epic story, the hero, Frodo, reached a point of despair and wearily confided to his friend, “I can’t do this, Sam.” As a good friend, Sam gave a rousing speech: “It’s like in the great stories . . . . Full of darkness and danger they were. . . . Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.” Which prompted Frodo to ask: “What are we holding on to, Sam?”
It’s a significant question, one that we all need to ask ourselves. Living in a fallen, broken world, it’s no wonder that sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the powers of darkness. When we are at the point of despair, ready to throw in the towel, we do well to follow Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12).
In life’s battles, let’s hold on to the fact that good will triumph over evil in the end, that one day we will see our Master and Leader face-to-face, and we will reign with Him forever. You can be part of this great story, knowing that if you have trusted Jesus for salvation you are guaranteed a victorious ending! — Joe Stowell
Though weak and helpless in life’s fray,
God’s mighty power shall be my stay;
Without, within, He gives to me
The strength to gain the victory. —D. De Haan
The trials of earth are small compared with the triumphs of heaven.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 6-7
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 4-6 & Luke 1:1-20
Historical: Judges 6-7
Chronological: Deut. 28-29
Blended: Job 36-37 & I Cor. 12
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tolkien’s classic "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy came to life in recent years on film. In the second epic story, the hero, Frodo, reached a point of despair and wearily confided to his friend, “I can’t do this, Sam.” As a good friend, Sam gave a rousing speech: “It’s like in the great stories . . . . Full of darkness and danger they were. . . . Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.” Which prompted Frodo to ask: “What are we holding on to, Sam?”
It’s a significant question, one that we all need to ask ourselves. Living in a fallen, broken world, it’s no wonder that sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the powers of darkness. When we are at the point of despair, ready to throw in the towel, we do well to follow Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12).
In life’s battles, let’s hold on to the fact that good will triumph over evil in the end, that one day we will see our Master and Leader face-to-face, and we will reign with Him forever. You can be part of this great story, knowing that if you have trusted Jesus for salvation you are guaranteed a victorious ending! — Joe Stowell
Though weak and helpless in life’s fray,
God’s mighty power shall be my stay;
Without, within, He gives to me
The strength to gain the victory. —D. De Haan
The trials of earth are small compared with the triumphs of heaven.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 6-7
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 4-6 & Luke 1:1-20
Historical: Judges 6-7
Chronological: Deut. 28-29
Blended: Job 36-37 & I Cor. 12
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, March 19, 2009
How Do You Come Before the Lord?
I have come across many little verses in Ecclesiastes that I never thought I'd find. I almost dreaded going into it but it's really spoken to me, "Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather then to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil." - Ecc. 5:1
My study notes on this verse say, "Think about what you ought to say and do." They also say about worship that we need to be mindful of our worship. That our worship may be real and not superficial.
This reminds me of when Saul disobeyed God and spared Agag the king of Amalek and plunder that God commanded him, "Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him, but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." I Samuel 15:3. And what did Saul do? "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed." I Samuel 15:9
When God told Samuel of what Saul had done he was devastated and went directly to Saul. Upon entering his presence he hears the sheep and oxen and sees all that was spared and confronts Saul about it. Of course, Saul knows he's done wrong but begins making excuses for his actions. "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed." I Samuel 15:15. Notice here that Saul did not mention himself? He passed the buck. And we see that he does so again down in verses 20-21, "Then Saul said to Samuel, "I did obey the voice of the Lord, and went on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and have brought back Agag the kind of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal."
I can see why Samuel was so upset. Here Saul was going to sacrifice to God with the very things he sinned with! And this was Samuel's response, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed then the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king." I Samuel 15:22-23. Now that's powerful stuff. "Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry!" That alone makes me stop and think about the countless times I've come before the Lord with sin in my life to sacrifice to Him in worship. And how do we "Guard" ourselves? By being in the Word, memorizing it, praying, being with the Body, OBEYING God and confessing our sins before Him. Then we can come before Him and worship Him as He intended.
Krista Jones
7.25.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 3-5
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 1-3 & Mark 16
Historical: Judges 3-5
Chronological: Deut. 24-27
Blended: Job 34-35 & I Cor. 11:17-34
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
My study notes on this verse say, "Think about what you ought to say and do." They also say about worship that we need to be mindful of our worship. That our worship may be real and not superficial.
This reminds me of when Saul disobeyed God and spared Agag the king of Amalek and plunder that God commanded him, "Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him, but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." I Samuel 15:3. And what did Saul do? "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed." I Samuel 15:9
When God told Samuel of what Saul had done he was devastated and went directly to Saul. Upon entering his presence he hears the sheep and oxen and sees all that was spared and confronts Saul about it. Of course, Saul knows he's done wrong but begins making excuses for his actions. "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed." I Samuel 15:15. Notice here that Saul did not mention himself? He passed the buck. And we see that he does so again down in verses 20-21, "Then Saul said to Samuel, "I did obey the voice of the Lord, and went on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and have brought back Agag the kind of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal."
I can see why Samuel was so upset. Here Saul was going to sacrifice to God with the very things he sinned with! And this was Samuel's response, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed then the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king." I Samuel 15:22-23. Now that's powerful stuff. "Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry!" That alone makes me stop and think about the countless times I've come before the Lord with sin in my life to sacrifice to Him in worship. And how do we "Guard" ourselves? By being in the Word, memorizing it, praying, being with the Body, OBEYING God and confessing our sins before Him. Then we can come before Him and worship Him as He intended.
Krista Jones
7.25.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 3-5
Old and New Testaments Together: Joshua 1-3 & Mark 16
Historical: Judges 3-5
Chronological: Deut. 24-27
Blended: Job 34-35 & I Cor. 11:17-34
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Follow Me!
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." John 21:22
Peter was afraid John would get something he missed. He doubted the love of Jesus for a moment, as he learns from the Master Himself about his own (Peter's) death, and wants to be sure John gets no less.
"If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee (Peter)? Follow thou me." Peter's predicament is so human and so understandable. Jesus understood it, too. That's why He went straight to the only point that would help Peter: Complete and uncomplaining obedience to Himself.
How often have you attempted to inquire of the Lord about some Christian brother or sister whose lot seems to be better than yours? How often have we carefully told the Lord everything that is wrong in the attitudes and conducts of our brothers and sisters? And how often have we heard the Lord Jesus gently, but firmly reply, as He did to Peter: "What is that to thee? follow thou me."
Once in particular did He prompt me with this verse. In my prayer, I was explaining in colorful terms, the shortcomings of a Christian brother. Then came the word: "What is that to thee? follow thou me!" And more yet: "If you see his failings, it is only because I have given you the insight to see them. Your part is to turn your criticism to true intercession." There was still more to come: "And even after you have prayed in love for this brother, he may still go on behaving in the same way. but your only concern is to see to it that you increase your own value to me to help make up for his defects!"
The Lord Jesus is not being hard here.
He is showing His need for us, and He is showing His love.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 32-34 & Mark 15:26-47
Historical: Judges 1-2
Chronological: Deut. 21-22
Blended: Job 32-33 & I Cor. 11:1-16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Peter was afraid John would get something he missed. He doubted the love of Jesus for a moment, as he learns from the Master Himself about his own (Peter's) death, and wants to be sure John gets no less.
"If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee (Peter)? Follow thou me." Peter's predicament is so human and so understandable. Jesus understood it, too. That's why He went straight to the only point that would help Peter: Complete and uncomplaining obedience to Himself.
How often have you attempted to inquire of the Lord about some Christian brother or sister whose lot seems to be better than yours? How often have we carefully told the Lord everything that is wrong in the attitudes and conducts of our brothers and sisters? And how often have we heard the Lord Jesus gently, but firmly reply, as He did to Peter: "What is that to thee? follow thou me."
Once in particular did He prompt me with this verse. In my prayer, I was explaining in colorful terms, the shortcomings of a Christian brother. Then came the word: "What is that to thee? follow thou me!" And more yet: "If you see his failings, it is only because I have given you the insight to see them. Your part is to turn your criticism to true intercession." There was still more to come: "And even after you have prayed in love for this brother, he may still go on behaving in the same way. but your only concern is to see to it that you increase your own value to me to help make up for his defects!"
The Lord Jesus is not being hard here.
He is showing His need for us, and He is showing His love.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Judges 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 32-34 & Mark 15:26-47
Historical: Judges 1-2
Chronological: Deut. 21-22
Blended: Job 32-33 & I Cor. 11:1-16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Power of the Gospel
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of god to salvation." Romans 1:16
People want to change. All advertising is based on the presupposition that people want things different from the way they are. They want to look better, feel better, think better, and live better. They want to change their lives but, except from an external standpoint, they are unable to do so.
Only the gospel of Jesus Christ has the owner to change people and deliver them from sin, from Satan, from judgement, from death, and from hell. Acts 4:12 says, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." And that name is Jesus Christ.
So God's Word, which is all about Jesus Christ, can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We are sinful and unable to remedy our condition, but from God comes the incredible, limitless power that can transform our lives.
By John MacArthur, taken from "Truth for Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Joshua 22-24
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 30-31 & Mark 15:1-25
Historical: Joshua 22-24
Chronological: Deut. 17-20
Blended: Job 30-31 & I Cor. 10:19-33
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
People want to change. All advertising is based on the presupposition that people want things different from the way they are. They want to look better, feel better, think better, and live better. They want to change their lives but, except from an external standpoint, they are unable to do so.
Only the gospel of Jesus Christ has the owner to change people and deliver them from sin, from Satan, from judgement, from death, and from hell. Acts 4:12 says, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." And that name is Jesus Christ.
So God's Word, which is all about Jesus Christ, can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We are sinful and unable to remedy our condition, but from God comes the incredible, limitless power that can transform our lives.
By John MacArthur, taken from "Truth for Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Joshua 22-24
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 30-31 & Mark 15:1-25
Historical: Joshua 22-24
Chronological: Deut. 17-20
Blended: Job 30-31 & I Cor. 10:19-33
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, March 16, 2009
Isn't Life Grand?
"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. raise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." Psalm 33:1-3
Isn't life glorious! Isn't it grand!
Here - take it - hold it tight in your hand;
Squeeze every drop of it into your sould,
Drink of the joy of it, sun-sweet and whole!
Laught with the love of it, burst into song!
Scatter its richness as you strie along!
Isn't life splended - and isn't it great
We can always start living - it's never too late!
Help me, Lord, to see your beauty all around me. May my gratitude spill over from a cup full of thanks to you.
By Helen Lowrie Marshal, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Joshua 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 28-29 & Mark 14:54-72
Historical: Joshua 19-21
Chronological: Deut. 14-16
Blended: Job 28-29 & I Cor. 10:1-18
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Isn't life glorious! Isn't it grand!
Here - take it - hold it tight in your hand;
Squeeze every drop of it into your sould,
Drink of the joy of it, sun-sweet and whole!
Laught with the love of it, burst into song!
Scatter its richness as you strie along!
Isn't life splended - and isn't it great
We can always start living - it's never too late!
Help me, Lord, to see your beauty all around me. May my gratitude spill over from a cup full of thanks to you.
By Helen Lowrie Marshal, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Joshua 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 28-29 & Mark 14:54-72
Historical: Joshua 19-21
Chronological: Deut. 14-16
Blended: Job 28-29 & I Cor. 10:1-18
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Josh. 12-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 22-24 & Mark 14:1-26
Historical: Josh. 12-15
Chronological: Deut. 8-10
Blended: Job 22-24 & I Cor. 8
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Josh. 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 25-27 & Mark 14:27-53
Historical: Josh. 16-18
Chronological: Deut. 11-13
Blended: Job 25-27 & I Cor. 9
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Josh. 12-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 22-24 & Mark 14:1-26
Historical: Josh. 12-15
Chronological: Deut. 8-10
Blended: Job 22-24 & I Cor. 8
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Josh. 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 25-27 & Mark 14:27-53
Historical: Josh. 16-18
Chronological: Deut. 11-13
Blended: Job 25-27 & I Cor. 9
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, March 13, 2009
He Has Set Eternity in Our Hearts
"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end." Ecclesiastes 2:11
My study notes of this verse say, "God's beautiful but tantalizing world is too big for us, yet its satisfactions are too small. Since we were made for eternity, the things of time cannot fully and permanently satisfy."
I love what this verse says about how God has set eternity in our hearts. It's so true!!! We were all made for eternity which is why we all strive for it. For those of us who know God we've found it. For those who haven't, they continue to seek it through materialism, addictions and wants. They continue to fill themselves up with many things that give short term satisfaction and when those good satisfied feelings go away they seek for more.
I love what the summary of Ecclesiastes says in the front of the chapter, "Life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. Without Him, nothing else can satisfy. With Him, all of life and His other good gifts are to be gratefully received and used and enjoyed to the full."
This reminds those of us who do have a relationship with God that we still need to me mindful of not falling into the trap of the world. The world's view is to fill ourselves up with meaningless stuff and find satisfaction through those things. And those things are far from the Lord. One way we can do this is to fill ourselves up with more of God's Word then the world's word. If junk goes in junk will come out no matter how much you try to mask it. But God calls us to fill ourselves up with Him. Phil. 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
What we think is really who we are. We can mask what we think by what we say and do but it's all in vain. It's all in vain because our thoughts still manage to come shining through in our actions and words no matter how much we try to guard them. And the times we slip up are when we are not closely guarding our thoughts.
I love the last paragraph of my devotional: "Do not weary of the training that is in store for you. To be the person you most desire will take a very large part of your Christian life. Do not tire of trying the good thoughts, putting aside the bad. When you are about to give up in despair, the Holy Spirit is willing to live those thoughts through you. Give HIm the opportunity to do the work which He has placed in your life to do." - Streams in the Desert
The things of this world will pass as will we. What we build up within our short time here is indeed meaningless. It will not save us. It will not satisfy us. It will not give us everlasting peace, hope and love. It will not give us eternal life. For truly we were made for eternity so lets start filling ourselves up with it!
Krista Jones
7.24.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Josh. 9-11
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 19-21 & Mark 13:21-37
Historical: Josh. 9-11
Chronological: Deut. 5-7
Blended: Job 20-21 & I Cor. 7:20-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
My study notes of this verse say, "God's beautiful but tantalizing world is too big for us, yet its satisfactions are too small. Since we were made for eternity, the things of time cannot fully and permanently satisfy."
I love what this verse says about how God has set eternity in our hearts. It's so true!!! We were all made for eternity which is why we all strive for it. For those of us who know God we've found it. For those who haven't, they continue to seek it through materialism, addictions and wants. They continue to fill themselves up with many things that give short term satisfaction and when those good satisfied feelings go away they seek for more.
I love what the summary of Ecclesiastes says in the front of the chapter, "Life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. Without Him, nothing else can satisfy. With Him, all of life and His other good gifts are to be gratefully received and used and enjoyed to the full."
This reminds those of us who do have a relationship with God that we still need to me mindful of not falling into the trap of the world. The world's view is to fill ourselves up with meaningless stuff and find satisfaction through those things. And those things are far from the Lord. One way we can do this is to fill ourselves up with more of God's Word then the world's word. If junk goes in junk will come out no matter how much you try to mask it. But God calls us to fill ourselves up with Him. Phil. 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
What we think is really who we are. We can mask what we think by what we say and do but it's all in vain. It's all in vain because our thoughts still manage to come shining through in our actions and words no matter how much we try to guard them. And the times we slip up are when we are not closely guarding our thoughts.
I love the last paragraph of my devotional: "Do not weary of the training that is in store for you. To be the person you most desire will take a very large part of your Christian life. Do not tire of trying the good thoughts, putting aside the bad. When you are about to give up in despair, the Holy Spirit is willing to live those thoughts through you. Give HIm the opportunity to do the work which He has placed in your life to do." - Streams in the Desert
The things of this world will pass as will we. What we build up within our short time here is indeed meaningless. It will not save us. It will not satisfy us. It will not give us everlasting peace, hope and love. It will not give us eternal life. For truly we were made for eternity so lets start filling ourselves up with it!
Krista Jones
7.24.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Josh. 9-11
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 19-21 & Mark 13:21-37
Historical: Josh. 9-11
Chronological: Deut. 5-7
Blended: Job 20-21 & I Cor. 7:20-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Jesus Understands
"He took our suffering on Him and felt our pain for us." Isaiah 53:4
Jesus knows how you feel. You're under the gun at work? Jesus knows how you feel. You've got more to do than is humanly possible? So did he. People take more from you than they give? Jesus understands. Your teenagers won't listen? Your students won't try? Jesus knows how you feel.
You are precious to Him. So precious that He becomes like you so that you would come to Him.
When you struggle, He listens. When you yearn, He responds. When you question, He hears. He has been there. - In the Eye of the Storm
By Tony Evans, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Josh. 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 16-18 & Mark 13:1-20
Historical: Josh. 5-8
Chronological: Deut. 3-4
Blended: Job 17-19 & I Cor. 7:1-19
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Jesus knows how you feel. You're under the gun at work? Jesus knows how you feel. You've got more to do than is humanly possible? So did he. People take more from you than they give? Jesus understands. Your teenagers won't listen? Your students won't try? Jesus knows how you feel.
You are precious to Him. So precious that He becomes like you so that you would come to Him.
When you struggle, He listens. When you yearn, He responds. When you question, He hears. He has been there. - In the Eye of the Storm
By Tony Evans, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Josh. 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 16-18 & Mark 13:1-20
Historical: Josh. 5-8
Chronological: Deut. 3-4
Blended: Job 17-19 & I Cor. 7:1-19
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Faithless Action and Actionless Faith
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26
Rightly understood, faith is not a substitute for moral conduct but a means toward it. The tree does not serve in lieu of fruit but as an agent by which fruit is secured. Fruit, not trees, is the end God has in mind in yonder orchard; so Christlike conduct is the end of Christian faith. To oppose faith to works is to make the fruit the enemy to the tree; yet that is exactly what we have managed to do. And the consequences have been disastrous.
A miscalculation in laying the foundation of a building will throw the whole superstructure out of plumb, and the error that gave us faith as a substitute for action instead of faith in action has raised up in our day unsymmetrical and ugly temples of which we may well be ashamed, and for which we shall surely give a strict account in the day when Christ judges the secrets of our hearts.
Thought: Action without faith is directionless and empty. Faith without action is comatose or dead. What does our action (or lack of it) reveal about your faith and mine?
By A. W. Tozer
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Josh. 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 13-15 & Mark 12:28-44
Historical: Josh. 1-4
Chronological: Deut. 1-2
Blended: Job 14-16 & I Cor. 6
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Rightly understood, faith is not a substitute for moral conduct but a means toward it. The tree does not serve in lieu of fruit but as an agent by which fruit is secured. Fruit, not trees, is the end God has in mind in yonder orchard; so Christlike conduct is the end of Christian faith. To oppose faith to works is to make the fruit the enemy to the tree; yet that is exactly what we have managed to do. And the consequences have been disastrous.
A miscalculation in laying the foundation of a building will throw the whole superstructure out of plumb, and the error that gave us faith as a substitute for action instead of faith in action has raised up in our day unsymmetrical and ugly temples of which we may well be ashamed, and for which we shall surely give a strict account in the day when Christ judges the secrets of our hearts.
Thought: Action without faith is directionless and empty. Faith without action is comatose or dead. What does our action (or lack of it) reveal about your faith and mine?
By A. W. Tozer
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Josh. 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 13-15 & Mark 12:28-44
Historical: Josh. 1-4
Chronological: Deut. 1-2
Blended: Job 14-16 & I Cor. 6
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
God is So Good
"Thou art good and doest good." Psalm 119:68
Many of us grew up singing the little chorus, "God I So Good." That song contains some profound theology, because the goodness of God is one of the infinite attributes of His character. If we're going to know God as He is, we must understand that He is good.
God's goodness can be defined as the collective perfections of His nature and the benevolence of His acts. In other words, God is good by nature and good in what He does.
When we go home to my parents' house every year, my mother cooks this big meal. Inevitably she will cook some unholy vegetable like squash or one of its cousins. You know, something that seems to have no purpose in creation. Anyway, when that vegetable bowl comes around, I just pass it right on. But my mother will say, "Boy, what do you think you're doing?"
Then I do my George Bush imitation. Remember when Bush said, "I'm the president, and I don't have to eat broccoli?" Well, I say to my mother, "Mama, I don't' want any squash. I'm a grown man. I don't have to eat squash."
But she says, "You are in my house. You didn't see a hotel sign outside that front door, did you?" She will take the bowl and start putting the squash on my late. And she will always put more squash on my plate than I would have if I had just gone ahead and taken it.
Then she says, "And you'd better eat it all. It's good for you." You know, she's right. Squash is good for you. Now I'd rather have German chocolate cake a la mode. I can get excited about that. But it's not good for me. Everything that's good does not necessarily taste good, look good, or give you a pleasant emotional experience. The issue of goodness is its source, not its experience.
The Bible declares in James 1:17: "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." Anything that is authentically good has it source in God, because He is a good God who can only produce that which is good.
Think about it: If something is not good, it did not come from God. Don't let anyone tell you God is the source of evil.
By Tony Evans taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 32-34
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 10-12 & Mark 12:1-27
Historical: Deut. 32-34
Chronological: Numbers 35-36
Blended: Job 11-13 & I Cor. 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Many of us grew up singing the little chorus, "God I So Good." That song contains some profound theology, because the goodness of God is one of the infinite attributes of His character. If we're going to know God as He is, we must understand that He is good.
God's goodness can be defined as the collective perfections of His nature and the benevolence of His acts. In other words, God is good by nature and good in what He does.
When we go home to my parents' house every year, my mother cooks this big meal. Inevitably she will cook some unholy vegetable like squash or one of its cousins. You know, something that seems to have no purpose in creation. Anyway, when that vegetable bowl comes around, I just pass it right on. But my mother will say, "Boy, what do you think you're doing?"
Then I do my George Bush imitation. Remember when Bush said, "I'm the president, and I don't have to eat broccoli?" Well, I say to my mother, "Mama, I don't' want any squash. I'm a grown man. I don't have to eat squash."
But she says, "You are in my house. You didn't see a hotel sign outside that front door, did you?" She will take the bowl and start putting the squash on my late. And she will always put more squash on my plate than I would have if I had just gone ahead and taken it.
Then she says, "And you'd better eat it all. It's good for you." You know, she's right. Squash is good for you. Now I'd rather have German chocolate cake a la mode. I can get excited about that. But it's not good for me. Everything that's good does not necessarily taste good, look good, or give you a pleasant emotional experience. The issue of goodness is its source, not its experience.
The Bible declares in James 1:17: "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." Anything that is authentically good has it source in God, because He is a good God who can only produce that which is good.
Think about it: If something is not good, it did not come from God. Don't let anyone tell you God is the source of evil.
By Tony Evans taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 32-34
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 10-12 & Mark 12:1-27
Historical: Deut. 32-34
Chronological: Numbers 35-36
Blended: Job 11-13 & I Cor. 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, March 09, 2009
A Home for Your Heart
"Lord, I love the Temple where you lie,m where your glory is." Psalm 26:8
When it comes to resting your soul, there is no place like the Great House of God. "I'm asking Yahweh for one thing," (David) wrote, "only one thing: to live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty, I"ll study at his feet. That' the only quiet secure place in a noisy world." (Ps. 27:4-)
If you could ask God for one thing, what would you request? David tells us what he would ask. He longs to live in the house of God. I emphasize the word live, because it deserves to be emphasized. David doesn't want to chat. He doesn't desire a cup of coffee on the back porch. HE doesn't ask for a meal or to spend an evening in God's house. He wants to move in with him . . . forever. He's asking for his own room . . . permanently. He doesn't want to be stationed in God's house, he longs to retire there. He doesn't seek a temporary assignment, but rather lifelong residence. - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 30-31
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 7-9 & Mark 11:19-33
Historical: Deut. 30-31
Chronological: Numbers 33-34
Blended: Job 8-10 & I Cor. 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
When it comes to resting your soul, there is no place like the Great House of God. "I'm asking Yahweh for one thing," (David) wrote, "only one thing: to live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty, I"ll study at his feet. That' the only quiet secure place in a noisy world." (Ps. 27:4-)
If you could ask God for one thing, what would you request? David tells us what he would ask. He longs to live in the house of God. I emphasize the word live, because it deserves to be emphasized. David doesn't want to chat. He doesn't desire a cup of coffee on the back porch. HE doesn't ask for a meal or to spend an evening in God's house. He wants to move in with him . . . forever. He's asking for his own room . . . permanently. He doesn't want to be stationed in God's house, he longs to retire there. He doesn't seek a temporary assignment, but rather lifelong residence. - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 30-31
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 7-9 & Mark 11:19-33
Historical: Deut. 30-31
Chronological: Numbers 33-34
Blended: Job 8-10 & I Cor. 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Deut. 24-27
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 1-3 & Mark 10:32-52
Historical: Deut. 24-27
Chronological: Numbers 28-30
Blended: Job 3-4 & I Cor. 2
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Deut. 28-29
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 4-6 & Mark 11:1-18
Historical: Deut. 28-29
Chronological: Numbers 31-32
Blended: Job 5-7 & I Cor. 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Deut. 24-27
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 1-3 & Mark 10:32-52
Historical: Deut. 24-27
Chronological: Numbers 28-30
Blended: Job 3-4 & I Cor. 2
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Deut. 28-29
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 4-6 & Mark 11:1-18
Historical: Deut. 28-29
Chronological: Numbers 31-32
Blended: Job 5-7 & I Cor. 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, March 06, 2009
Our Children
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
My study notes say of this verse that "train" is the same as "dedicate". The example it gives is I Kings 8:63 which says, "Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the kind and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord."
Now this seems like an odd verse to refer to from Proverbs 22:6. But I think I get the meaning. Solomon had taken years to complete what his father David had wanted to do. He built the Temple where the Lord would live and can be worshiped. Dedicating and sacrificing were vital in the lives of the Israelites. It wasn't something you just said and never follow through with. It was serious business with much work put into it. Just think about how long it took to sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep and burn them on the alter of the Lord! My study notes say that it took 14 days to complete this ceremony with a vast amount of people being involved.
Training up our children takes time. It's a process that involves years of dedicated sacrifice on our part. And as it took a vast amount of people to complete this ceremony, it will take many people to help us train our children. Our extended families, friends, Sunday school teachers and school teachers all play a roll in growing our children. We need to be training our children to know Jesus and to live their lives for Him as well as those children who are in our lives. I was touched by my friend's son the other day. I had gone to rescue my friend who locking herself out of her house and we were standing on her front porch talking. Her son kept on interjecting here and there showing me his many toys. Then out of the blue, or maybe because he heard us mention Jesus, he busted out, "Jesus died!". I asked him why Jesus died and he replied, "For me." That is a good example of a child being raised in the way he should go!
I pray that we may be in the Word and stay close to the Lord so that we can train our children to know Him. Proverbs 4:11 says, "I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths." If He has done that for us and we stay on the upright path, then we will have no trouble imparting what we know into our children's lives and into the lives of children around us.
I also pray that our children will not depart from what they learned from us. That they'll be protected throughout their youth as they are bombarded with the world's view of life and the negative influences of what they see. I pray for us as parents that we will grow in strength and beauty in the Lord so that we can dedicate our children to the Lord now and in the years to come.
Krista Jones
7.20.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 21-23
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 35-36 & Mark 10:1-31
Historical: Deut. 21-23
Chronological: Numbers 26-27
Blended: Job 1-2 & I Cor. 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
My study notes say of this verse that "train" is the same as "dedicate". The example it gives is I Kings 8:63 which says, "Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the kind and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord."
Now this seems like an odd verse to refer to from Proverbs 22:6. But I think I get the meaning. Solomon had taken years to complete what his father David had wanted to do. He built the Temple where the Lord would live and can be worshiped. Dedicating and sacrificing were vital in the lives of the Israelites. It wasn't something you just said and never follow through with. It was serious business with much work put into it. Just think about how long it took to sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep and burn them on the alter of the Lord! My study notes say that it took 14 days to complete this ceremony with a vast amount of people being involved.
Training up our children takes time. It's a process that involves years of dedicated sacrifice on our part. And as it took a vast amount of people to complete this ceremony, it will take many people to help us train our children. Our extended families, friends, Sunday school teachers and school teachers all play a roll in growing our children. We need to be training our children to know Jesus and to live their lives for Him as well as those children who are in our lives. I was touched by my friend's son the other day. I had gone to rescue my friend who locking herself out of her house and we were standing on her front porch talking. Her son kept on interjecting here and there showing me his many toys. Then out of the blue, or maybe because he heard us mention Jesus, he busted out, "Jesus died!". I asked him why Jesus died and he replied, "For me." That is a good example of a child being raised in the way he should go!
I pray that we may be in the Word and stay close to the Lord so that we can train our children to know Him. Proverbs 4:11 says, "I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths." If He has done that for us and we stay on the upright path, then we will have no trouble imparting what we know into our children's lives and into the lives of children around us.
I also pray that our children will not depart from what they learned from us. That they'll be protected throughout their youth as they are bombarded with the world's view of life and the negative influences of what they see. I pray for us as parents that we will grow in strength and beauty in the Lord so that we can dedicate our children to the Lord now and in the years to come.
Krista Jones
7.20.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 21-23
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 35-36 & Mark 10:1-31
Historical: Deut. 21-23
Chronological: Numbers 26-27
Blended: Job 1-2 & I Cor. 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Set Apart
"Ye shall be named the priests of the LORD" (Isaiah 61:6).
This literal promise to Israel belongs spiritually to the seed after the Spirit, namely, to all believers. If we live up to our privileges, we shall live unto God so clearly and distinctly that men shall see that we are set apart for holy service and shall name us the priests of the LORD. We may work or trade as others do, and yet we may be solely and wholly the ministering servants of God. Our one occupation shall be to present the perpetual sacrifice of prayer, and praise, and testimony, and self-consecration to the living God by Jesus Christ.
This being our one aim, we may leave distracting concerns to those who have no higher calling. "Let the dead bury their dead." It is written, "Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers," They may manage politics, puzzle out financial problems, discuss science, and settle the last new quibbles of criticism; but we will give ourselves unto such service as becomes those who, like the LORD Jesus, are ordained to a perpetual priesthood.
Accepting this honorable promise as involving a sacred duty, let us put on the vestments of holiness and minister before the LORD all day long.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 17-20
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 32-34 & Mark 9:30-50
Historical: Deut. 17-20
Chronological: Numbers 23-25
Blended: Exodus 39-40 & James 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
This literal promise to Israel belongs spiritually to the seed after the Spirit, namely, to all believers. If we live up to our privileges, we shall live unto God so clearly and distinctly that men shall see that we are set apart for holy service and shall name us the priests of the LORD. We may work or trade as others do, and yet we may be solely and wholly the ministering servants of God. Our one occupation shall be to present the perpetual sacrifice of prayer, and praise, and testimony, and self-consecration to the living God by Jesus Christ.
This being our one aim, we may leave distracting concerns to those who have no higher calling. "Let the dead bury their dead." It is written, "Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers," They may manage politics, puzzle out financial problems, discuss science, and settle the last new quibbles of criticism; but we will give ourselves unto such service as becomes those who, like the LORD Jesus, are ordained to a perpetual priesthood.
Accepting this honorable promise as involving a sacred duty, let us put on the vestments of holiness and minister before the LORD all day long.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 17-20
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 32-34 & Mark 9:30-50
Historical: Deut. 17-20
Chronological: Numbers 23-25
Blended: Exodus 39-40 & James 5
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The Destitution of Service
". . . though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved." 2 Corinthians 12:15
Natural human love expects something in return. But Paul is saying, "It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God." "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 ). And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually "out-socialized" the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11 ). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— "What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things." All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 14-16
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 29-31 & Mark 9:1-29
Historical: Deut. 14-16
Chronological: Numbers 21-22
Blended: Exodus 36-38 & James 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Natural human love expects something in return. But Paul is saying, "It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God." "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 ). And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually "out-socialized" the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11 ). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— "What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things." All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 14-16
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 29-31 & Mark 9:1-29
Historical: Deut. 14-16
Chronological: Numbers 21-22
Blended: Exodus 36-38 & James 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Okello’s Story, Our Story
"[Jesus] put out His hand and touched [the leper]." Luke 5:13
My friend Roxanne has had some impressive jobs in her life. She has covered the Olympics as a reporter. She has worked in Washington, DC, for noted people and companies. For years, she has written articles about top Christian athletes. But none of those jobs can compare with what she is doing now: giving the love of Jesus to children in Uganda.
What are her days like? Consider the rainy Thursday when she walked the muddy pathway to a cancer ward. Once inside, she scooped up little Okello, whose arms bore sores from poor IV care and whose body raged with a high fever. She carried him to the office of the only cancer doctor in the building and stayed with him until he got help and his condition stabilized.
Jesus, our example, spent His entire ministry among the suffering, healing them and bringing them the good news of God’s love (Luke 7:21-22).
How significant are the jobs we do? Sure, it’s vital to make a living to support ourselves and our families. But is there something we can do to help relieve the suffering in our world of pain? We may not be able to move to Uganda like Roxanne, but we can all find ways to assist someone. In whose life will you make a difference? — Dave Branon
God uses us to show His love
To people caught in life’s despair;
Our deeds of kindness open doors
To talk of God and His great care. —Sper
One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 11-13
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 26-28 & Mark 8
Historical: Deut. 11-13
Chronological: Numbers 18-20
Blended: Exodus 34-35 & James 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
My friend Roxanne has had some impressive jobs in her life. She has covered the Olympics as a reporter. She has worked in Washington, DC, for noted people and companies. For years, she has written articles about top Christian athletes. But none of those jobs can compare with what she is doing now: giving the love of Jesus to children in Uganda.
What are her days like? Consider the rainy Thursday when she walked the muddy pathway to a cancer ward. Once inside, she scooped up little Okello, whose arms bore sores from poor IV care and whose body raged with a high fever. She carried him to the office of the only cancer doctor in the building and stayed with him until he got help and his condition stabilized.
Jesus, our example, spent His entire ministry among the suffering, healing them and bringing them the good news of God’s love (Luke 7:21-22).
How significant are the jobs we do? Sure, it’s vital to make a living to support ourselves and our families. But is there something we can do to help relieve the suffering in our world of pain? We may not be able to move to Uganda like Roxanne, but we can all find ways to assist someone. In whose life will you make a difference? — Dave Branon
God uses us to show His love
To people caught in life’s despair;
Our deeds of kindness open doors
To talk of God and His great care. —Sper
One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 11-13
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 26-28 & Mark 8
Historical: Deut. 11-13
Chronological: Numbers 18-20
Blended: Exodus 34-35 & James 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, March 02, 2009
March's Memory Verse
James 1:5
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
James 1:5 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
February's Memory Verse: John 15:5
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
December's Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
November's Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
October's Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:1-3
September's Memory Verse: Proverbs 17:9
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
Remember the key is to review review review. Always review the verses you've already memorized along with learning this month's verse.
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 8-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 23-25 & Mark 7:14-37
Historical: Deut. 8-10
Chronological: Numbers 16-17
Blended: Exodus 31-33 & James 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
James 1:5 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
February's Memory Verse: John 15:5
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
December's Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
November's Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
October's Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:1-3
September's Memory Verse: Proverbs 17:9
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
Remember the key is to review review review. Always review the verses you've already memorized along with learning this month's verse.
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Deut. 8-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Numbers 23-25 & Mark 7:14-37
Historical: Deut. 8-10
Chronological: Numbers 16-17
Blended: Exodus 31-33 & James 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
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