May 26, 2010- The Pride of it All

Scripture to read today:
Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; Proverbs 3; Romans 7

Scripture that spoke to me:
Romans 7:21-23
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

Observation:
Paul is saying that good and evil go hand in hand. You wouldn’t know right without the example of the wrong. But I think he is also saying that sometimes people do evil when they think they’re doing good.

Application:
I’ve been convicted of this lately. Just about the time I think I’m doing things right, I see how evil is still a part of it. I’ll give you an example: I hadn’t really read the Bible more than a chapter or two here and there until I found this study. It has been 2 1/2 years and I’ve read the entire Bible through twice and then some. Now that’s good- but being proud of it is not! So I’ve had this struggle lately- to read or not to read. I have to go back to reading. The other way makes me feel too detached. But I have to watch getting wrapped up in the pride of it.

Prayer:
Lord, You know I have a long way to go when it comes to my pride. I want to do the right thing, but I often want others to notice how good I am doing. Help me with this- and forgive me when I cross that line. Amen.

May 19, 2010- Praise You in the Good Times

Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Kings 5:3-5
“You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’

Observation:
Solomon is preparing to build the temple that his father, David planned. The Lord told David that he had seen too much bloodshed- had been too long in war- to build the temple. The Lord wanted Solomon to do it. Now Solomon is experiencing peace and goes about the work that has been planned.

Application:
Solomon could have just enjoyed the peace. Usually when things are going well we forget to work toward our goal. We tend to sit back and relax and enjoy. We also forget to praise God for the good times we are experiencing.

Prayer:
Lord, please forgive me for becoming happy and complacent in times of prosperity. I always need Your blessing; You always deserve my praise. Thank You for loving and blessing me. Amen.

May 17, 2010- He Who Dies with the Most Stuff Wins

Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Chronicles 29:14
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Observation:
David recognized that all he has was given to him by the Lord. He wasn’t entitled to it, and by this statement, seems to believe that he wasn’t worthy of it. But the Lord gave it to him, so David felt that he was able to also pass it along to others in generosity.

Application:
We are living in a society that believes in acquiring things. I had a poster once in college that said “he who dies with the most stuff wins.” That seems to be the belief of many Americans. But we need to remember (and yes, I need to remember) that what we have was given to us by God. He wants us to be as generous to others as He has been to us. Which isn’t easy in a world that tells you to get more… and more… and more. Because the real winner is not the one who dies with the most stuff, but the one who gives the most before he dies.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to be unselfish and to share my bounty with others. Amen.

May 13, 2010- I Should Be Committed

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Samuel 24:21-24
Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”
“To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”

Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the LORD your God accept you.”
But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

Observation:
David wants to purchase a place to build an altar and make sacrifices to the Lord. This is the place where he saw an angel that was sent to bring a plague on Israel caused by David’s actions. David wants this to cost him something so he can truly sacrifice to the Lord.

Application:
If we are committed to something, it means that we put that first no matter how we feel. It is easy to be committed to something when it is fun- or when we are happy with it- or getting something from it. I tried to teach this to Savannah last week when she didn’t want to go to ball practice. It was hot and she was tired from a long week. But she made a commitment to the team, and that didn’t mean only showing up when she felt like it. It means being there no matter what. That’s the way we should be in our committed relationships with each other and with our Lord.

Prayer:
Lord, it is hard to be committed to something when it costs us something. Help us see the wonderful joys that come from keeping our commitments. Amen.

May 12, 2010- Doing it with God’s Help

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 21; 2 Samuel 22; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Thessalonians 1

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Samuel 22:1
David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

Observation:
David just won a big victory against the Philistines and he sings a song to the Lord. This is a song of praise and thanksgiving for the Lord. David recognized that the Lord helped him win and is praising Him.

Application:
I don’t know how many times I do something and metaphorically “high five” myself. Sometimes I remember that God is with me and helped me but often I don’t. I’m proud of what I was able to do myself. I need to remember where my strength and ability come from and praise the Lord just like David did.

Prayer:
Lord, You’re awesome. Thank You so much for allowing me to succeed at the things that I do. Let me remember to give You the praise, not myself. Forgive me when I forget that it wasn’t “me” who did these things but You working through me. Amen.

May 11, 2010- Too Much Stuff

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Samuel 19:28
All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”

Observation:
Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s crippled son) has found mercy in David. David and Jonathan were best friends and, although David and Saul ended things as near-enemies, David has taken in his grandson. Mephibosheth wants no riches from David, but his fellowship.

Application:
We tend to pass by people for things. The focus is on acquiring, not on befriending. I think we have it all wrong. All the stuff in the world isn’t fun if you don’t have someone to share it with.

Prayer:
Lord, bless me with friends who are honest and true. I want to be around people who love You and want to put friendship ahead of possessions. Amen,

May 10, 2010- Equal in God’s Eyes

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Samuel 18:33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Observation:
We hear of these great men that lived so long ago that sometimes, we forget that they were real people with real, human feelings. David loved his son so much he would have died for him… much like we feel about our children.

Application:
Realizing this makes me feel better. These weren’t great people- they were people, just like us. Flaws, feelings, insecurities… they had them all. Gives me hope for myself!

Prayer:
Lord, we are all equal in your eyes- kings, paupers, peasants- all Your children whom You love. We love You for Your grace and Your love. Amen.

May 7, 2010- 2012

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 24:36-40
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

Observation:
Jesus says that he does not know the day or the hour that He will return. We must be on guard- prepared at any moment, because He will return for His people.

Application:
I love predictions like 2012. The Mayan calendar ends so it must mean the end of the world. Well, I figure if Jesus doesn’t know, no one else does either. Furthermore, Jesus says that anyone who claims to know is lying. So don’t sell the farm just because someone, who doesn’t know anything, says the world will end on a particular day.

Prayer:
Lord, we like to know things. We like to think we know things that our friends don’t. Help us discern what is true and right from what is not. Amen.

May 6, 2010- Just Do What You’re Supposed to Do, Already!

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Samuel 11:1
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

Observation:
The first thing I noticed was that it was time for the kings to go off to work, but David stayed home. While he was at home (instead of where he should be) he gets into the worst trouble of his life. I don’t know why he stayed home- the scriptures don’t tell us- but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have messed up if he’d been doing what he was supposed to.

Application:
Sometimes it is hard to do what you’re supposed to. Especially if it is one of those things that comes around routinely. Maybe David thought “not again… I’m tired of going off to war… I think I’ll just send Joab this time.” I’m tempted to skip things I’m supposed to do because I’m tired of doing them, don’t feel like it, or just think that skipping it won’t be that big of a deal. I guess I need to remember David the next time.

Prayer:
Lord, keep me on the right path and help me know what You would have me do, whether I want to do it or not. Amen.

May 5, 2010- In One Word- LOVE

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Observation:
It is all about love. Pretty simple when you put it the way Jesus did. Love God. Love each other. All the rest is taken care of in those two simple things.

Application:
Except it isn’t that simple sometimes. I find I constantly compare myself to others- am I better than she is? Oh, he’s better at that than I am. It is hard to love others who we find irritating- or wrong in our minds- or annoying- or different. Love doesn’t come easy, especially when it isn’t reciprocated.

Prayer:
Lord of Love, love us. Help us to love You and love each other. Amen.