March 11, 2010- More or Less a Christian

Scripture to read today:
Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Scripture that spoke to me:
Galatians 2:9-10 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Observation:
Paul is recounting his walk as a Christian and his growth in faith. He met Peter, and James and John and they accepted him. Paul realized that they all served the same Lord which made them all equals. They all also equally understood the importance of helping the poor.

Application:
Oh, how easy is it to think that we’re a better Christian than they are, or she is so much better than he, when in truth, we’re all just lucky to be God’s children! I hope I am growing in my faith and understanding, but that doesn’t mean that someone who hasn’t yet experienced the same growth is less of a Christian than I am. I wonder if there is even such a thing as being “more Christian” or “less Christian”? If you have Jesus in your heart, I am guessing that He doesn’t come in by doses- He is either in or He isn’t!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to stop judging others- comparing myself to them to see how I measure up. Let me instead focus on You and Your kingdom and all that I can do to further it. Amen.

March 5, 2010- Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Scripture to read today:
Deuteronomy 1; Deuteronomy 2; Mark 12

Scripture that spoke to me:
Mark 12:38
Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces.

Observation:
The religious leaders loved trying to trip Jesus up on the law. But He could see their hearts. They weren’t in it to worship God, they were in it to look good for themselves.

Application:
This hits a little close to home for me. I have to question my motives all the time. Just when I start to think I’ve grown as a Christian, I realize my pride in that! I enjoy singing in church, but I have to be very careful not to think that I’m singing for myself. Two steps forward, one step back! Fortunately, you’re still moving forward when you do that!

Prayer:
Lord, you know my heart, and it is not always where it should be. Forgive me when I forget to give you the glory. You are worthy of all praise! Amen.

February 14, 2010- Point of View

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 23; Leviticus 24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 21:27-28
When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place.

Observation:
The Jews are having a hard time accepting that their God could be God to the Gentiles, too. They are angry at Paul for spreading the word and attempt to kill him.

Application:
This sounds horrible when I read it, but then I realize this still goes on today. One denomination thinks they’re better than another. Yes, there are differences, but we are all God’s children. Until we understand how that includes everyone, there will be religious persecution among Christians. And this is really sad to witness. I had a so-called Christian get mad at me today because I watched a video she posted but I didn’t comment. This is someone who doesn’t comment on most of my posts. I commented back to her that I didn’t like leaving trite comments. If I didn’t have something meaningful to say I’d rather not say something silly. Apparently, that would have satisfied her. I see her as a sister in Christ and am sad that she feels this way. But I have to remember that we all don’t see things the same way and allow for her opinion.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to be inclusive among Your children and not always think that my way is best. Help me try to see things from others’ points of view and grant that they may have merit. Amen.

December 8, 2009- Spreading the Good News by Example

Scripture to read today:
1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Timothy 1:3-4
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation:
Paul is reminding Timothy to pray for the people- from kings on down- for their salvation. That is their main mission. He then goes on with a litany of the way good people and leaders are supposed to act and live.

Application:
I think this goes along with my problem from yesterday. First, I need to pray for this man and pray for the ability to forgive him. Second, I need to remember how good people act- not stirring up controversies but showing people the way to Christ. I can’t let one person make me question my motives or my ability to do so.

Prayer:
Lord, this is hard. It is hard to look at a person in leadership to you and think they’re wrong, or mean, or evil, even. Help him, and help me, be the very best examples we can be for You, so that Your light shines through. Amen.

October 18, 2009- Sweet Irony

Scripture to read today:

Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 9: 21
All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”

Observation:
Saul has just had a visit from Jesus, been blinded, and is healed by a believer named Ananias. Saul is now preaching the Good News about Jesus. Of course, people are paying attention, because just a week or so ago he was persecuting anyone who spoke the name of Jesus. What irony that God would use the biggest Christian persecutor to be one of its biggest proponents!

Application:
I have several friends who have spent time as athiests and now believe in the Lord. I think their message is more powerful than mine. Don’t get me wrong, I think I have a message, but to be able to look at a sinner and say “I was once where you were- I understand” is meaningful. There are things I can only imagine about how you feel and what you think when you don’t believe in God. These people lived it. They also understand what made them turn around and make a different decision.

Prayer:
Lord, today my prayer is that You would open the hearts of more athiests to You. Give them a powerful message to take Your name to the nations. Amen.

October 13, 2009- Learning from History

Scripture to read today:

Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2

Scripture that spoke to me:
Nehemiah 9:16-17
“But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them.

Observation:
I’m reading this thinking that “our ancestors” could be us now! The Jews messed up so often, turning to other gods, letting their daily lives distract them from worship, and forgetting all the good things that God had done for them. But God was always forgiving- slow to anger and rich in love. He was giving grace then and He still offers us grace now.

Application:
I get so caught up in what has to be done today that I don’t look toward heaven. I’m sure I miss many blessings along the way. Thank goodness God is slow to anger- I’m sure  He has been mad at me more than once! And He is forgiving. More than that, He knows me and understands me. He can help me become the Christian He had in mind for me to be!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, keep shaping me into the person You want me to be. Help me see that things in this life are secondary to loving and worshiping You. Amen.

September 26, 2009- Learning to Work Together

Scripture to read today:

Ezra 4; Psalm 113; Psalm 127; Luke 9

Scripture that spoke to me:
Ezra 4:2-4
So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “You may have no part in this work. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.” Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work.

Observation:
The Jews are working on rebuilding the tabernacle in Jerusalem. They are singleminded about their work and will not allow those who were not exiles to help in their work. This causes division among the people living there and makes the work nearly impossible to complete.

Application:
We divide ourselves more ways than we need to. Not just by religion (Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist…) but even among Christians, we have Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal…. We divide by race, by income, by the region we live in, by which ball team we like… I believe God wants us to include people, not exclude people. We need a coming together, not a tearing apart. We need to learn to work together in acceptance of each other and in acceptance of our differences, not in division.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help us to work together. Help us to learn to listen to each other, and accept that there are different viewpoints. We don’t have to be alike, but we need to learn to love. Help us, please. Amen.

August 24, 2009- Freedom

Scripture to read today:

Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5

Scripture that spoke to me:
Jeremiah 34:17
“Therefore, this is what the LORD says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom for your fellow countrymen. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the LORD -’freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth.

Observation:
The law of the Jews required that they free their Hebrew slaves once every 7 years. This kept the people out of bondage and kept their own countrymen free. Here, we see that it is the 7th year and the slaves have been freed and then re-captured. The Lord is telling the people that they will all be captured by the evils that they have done themselves.

Application:
The word “freedom” is what caught my eye. We are all free to do whatever we please. Sure, some things are unlawful, but we choose whether or not to follow the law, too. However, it is what we choose to do with our freedom that counts. We are free to love or hate; believe or be skeptical; choose life or choose death. Freedom doesn’t mean that we’re free to do whatever we want- freedom means we’re free to choose the path that we want to follow. Every path has its own rules and its own limitations, but to choose to follow the path of Christ is the most freeing path of all.

Prayer:
Lord, let me choose my freedom wisely, so that others see that the freedom found in Jesus is desirable. Amen.

June 29, 2009- Do What I Do, Not What I Say

Scripture to read today:
Amos 4-5; Psalm 86, 87; Titus 1

Scripture that spoke to me:
Titus 1:16: They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Observation:
Paul warns Titus about people who claim to know God but don’t back it up with their actions. He calls them “detestable, disobedient, and unfit.”

Application:
There are Christians who give Christians a bad name! I try hard not to be this way- I want people to see me- and what I do- and say “she loves God.” Then my life is a testimony to God- not just my words.

Prayer:
Lord, let my actions and my life be a living testimony to Your goodness. Amen.

June 17, 2009- Getting Out of My Own Way

Scripture to read today:

1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture that spoke to me:
Colossians 3: 5-6, 12
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming… Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Observation:
Paul’s words are easy, but in practice they’re a seemingly insurmountable mountain. Turning away our own nature is, well, unnatural. But Jesus cane to show us that is can be done. He set an example for us to follow, even if we fall short.

Application:
I had a conversation with a friend today about giving everything to God and not taking it back. Why is our nature so hard to overcome? I want to do it all myself, on my own strength. I want to make the plans, set them in motion, and see them through. Oh, I say I trust God, but I want Him to do things my way! To do something that goes against my most innate desire, even if it is the right thing to do, is so very hard. But that is what sets us apart as Christians- we don’t live for this world. We understand that the things we gain in this life aren’t gained forever- it is what we store up in heaven that remains.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me get over myself sometimes. Help me get out of my own way and on to what You have planned. Amen