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.

April 27, 2010- I can do all things through Christ

Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 14:29-31
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Observation:
Peter was allowed to do an amazing thing with Jesus as his guide. He could walk on water in the middle of a lake, in a storm! But when he saw the size of the waves, he became afraid and lost the ability to complete what he had begun.

Application:
I sure do identify with Peter sometimes! This time, he has found himself in the middle of something really awesome only to become frightened and stop. I look around me and see the storm, the wind and the waves, and think “I can’t do this! I’m not strong (smart, powerful, able) enough. I forget that I can’t do it anyway- but with Jesus, I can! I see my own inability and forget about the One who can give me the strength (wisdom, might, ability) to complete the task.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for relying on myself too much. I forget to rely on You and think I have to do it all by myself. Keep reminding me that I can do it with You, through Jesus Christ, Amen.

February 17, 2010- Overcoming Insurmountable Obstacles

Scripture to read today:
Numbers 1; Numbers 2; Acts 24

Scripture that spoke to me:
Numbers 2:32
These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All those in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Observation:
There were 603,550 people counted in Moses’ census. This was the number of Israelite men aged 20 and over who were able to serve in the army. This didn’t count the number of women and children, elderly men, or the Levites. Moses was looking at moving probably a million people through the desert.

Application:
I wonder sometimes how I can lead this church of 1100 members. As lay leader, I know they’re relying on me for some key things. I don’t know if I’m up to the challenge. But reading this, I see that Moses had a huge challenge and he usually didn’t feel up to the task. But with God, all things are possible, no matter how impossible they seem to us.

Prayer:
Lord, You are almighty, everlasting God! You can do anything! I praise You for Your goodness and Your mighty power that can overcome any challenge that we may think is insurmountable. Thank You for helping us as we work for You. Amen.

February 7, 2010- Taking Credit

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 4; Leviticus 5; Leviticus 6; Acts 14

Scripture that spoke to me:
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

Observation:
Paul and Barnabas have performed miracles and the people of Lystra think that they are gods. To have performed this miracle, they must have special powers like the gods they are used to worshiping. Paul and Barnabas tell the people that no, they are only human.

Application:
How many people would take the credit for themselves? How many of us do? We do something great that God has given us the ability to do, and we get all the credit. We forget to give the honor and praise to Him.

Prayer:
Lord, You deserve all the praise. Let us be Your hands and feet, carrying the word of Jesus to people. Amen.

January 22, 2010- Equipping the Called

Scripture to read today:
Exodus 3; Exodus 4; Exodus 5; Luke 22

Scripture that spoke to me:
Exodus 4:11-12 The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Observation:
Moses had many excuses for not being able to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God had an answer for each one. He wasn’t eloquent in speech, he was afraid people wouldn’t listen to him, etc., etc. But God gave him the ability to do what he needed to do.

Application:
I have heard the statement several times that “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.” If He wants you to do something, He’ll give you the ability to also do it, whether you think you can or not. I know I have done several things with His help that would have been impossible otherwise.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us the abilities we need to serve You daily. Help us to trust that You will equip us when we are called. Amen.

September 11, 2009- Many Gifts

Scripture to read today:

Daniel 1; Daniel 2; Revelation 16

Scripture that spoke to me:
Daniel 1:17
God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

Observation:
The four men are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (who King Nebuchadnezzar renamed Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.) They are Jews in exile in Babylon, but are young, strong men that the king wants to use in his service. God has blessed these men with special gifts.

Application:
God blesses us all with special gifts, and each gift is different. I look around sometimes and see that someone else has a gift that I don’t have, and I wish I did! But that doesn’t mean that my gift isn’t just as wonderful. I have the gift of music, and I have a friend who can’t carry a tune who would love to have that gift. But she has a gift for organization and details that I would love to have! So we are each special in our own way, and we should look upon the gifts we have as blessings from the Lord, and use them wisely.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for blessing me with the gift of music. Let me use it to glorify You. Amen.

September 10, 2009- God is Bigger

Scripture to read today:

Lamentations 3; Lamentations 4; Lamentations 5; Revelation 15

Scripture that spoke to me:
Lamentations 4:17
We looked in vain for our allies
to come and save us,
but we were looking to nations
that could not help us.

Observation:
Jeremiah is lamenting the destruction of Judah. The people  have been overcome by Babylon and either taken away as slaves or exiled to other lands. Egypt couldn’t help. Assyria couldn’t help. The people should have turned to the Lord, not to other men.

Application:
I’m guilty of doing the same thing, as I am sure most of us are. We get into trouble and we look to our family and friends to try to help. Many times they are there for us, but there is that one time that only God can take away what is troubling us. But if we are not used to turning to Him, we may forget that He is our best friend- the One who is always there for us. Next time there is a problem, take it to Him. He is bigger than any problem!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for being there for us always. Amen.

July 25, 2009- Using God’s Gifts

Scripture to read today:

Isaiah 43; Isaiah 44; Isaiah 45; 1 Peter 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Peter 4: 10-11
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Observation:
God has given each of us a gift, maybe more. What we do with them is what is important. Do we use our gifts for good? Do we use them at all? If we don’t use them, they go away. If we use them well, it won’t even feel like we’re having to work very hard.

Application:
I haven’t played my saxophone in almost a year, and I’m sure I am not as good at it as I was when I was playing 30 hours a week. Talents fade if we don’t use them. I am musically talented, and good with kids, so the fact that I’m our children’s worship music leader is perfect for me. It doesn’t even feel like work! Using the talents that God gives us for Him will just make you happy! Now if you asked me to serve in the kitchen for a meal, I’d do it but it would be work and it wouldn’t be as rewarding. It isn’t my talent. That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it from time to time, but there are people who are so comfortable in that kitchen that it is like home to them. So if everyone can match their gifts up with their work, we’d truly be Paul’s ideal of a body of Christ, where each part works together to make a whole.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of music and putting me in a place that I can use it well. Amen.

July 13, 2009- The Rock Who Can Hide You

Scripture to read today:

Isaiah 15; Isaiah 16; Isaiah 17; Isaiah 18; Hebrews 10

Scripture that spoke to me:
Isaiah 17: 9-10a
Their largest cities will be like a deserted forest,
like the land the Hivites and Amorites abandoned
when the Israelites came here so long ago.
It will be utterly desolate.
Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you.
You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you.

Observation:
Isaiah is prophesying destruction in Israel, because the people have turned away from the Lord and are worshiping idols. They have forgotten the One who has brought them through so many calamities.

Application:
It is easy to turn to God in a calamity. He is the first I go running to when something is wrong. But in times of ease, it is easy to sit back and forget to thank Him, to worship Him, for all that is good. When it goes wrong again, I’m right back with Him. I’m trying to do, and think I am doing, much better at being with God in both the good and the bad times. I don’t want to forget “the Rock who can hide you.”

Prayer:
Lord, thanks for being my Rock. For always being there- strong and able to withstand anything. When I am with You, I feel able to stand against anything, too. Help me remember that, even when there is nothing to stand against. Amen.

July 11, 2009- God’s Tool

Scripture to read today:

Isaiah 8; Isaiah 9; Isaiah 10; Hebrews 8

Scripture that spoke to me:
Isaiah 10:15
Does the ax raise itself above him who swings it,
or the saw boast against him who uses it?
As if a rod were to wield him who lifts it up,
or a club brandish him who is not wood!

Observation:
Tools are handy things. They help us do our jobs and our chores better. But tools are useless if they just lie there. It takes someone to manipulate them- put them to use- in order for them to be useful. So, the tool is not more important than the one who uses it.

Application:
I hope that God is using me for something good. I try, anyway. But I have to remember, with any good thing that I do, God is the one guiding me. I am His tool. So I am not more important than He is, and the work that I accomplish is only because He is the one putting me to use.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me not to boast of my good deeds, but give You credit always for giving me the chance, the ability, and the means to help others. Amen.