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.

November 13, 2009- God is Bigger

Scripture to read today:

Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14

Scripture that spoke to me:
Job 40:8-10;14
“Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.

Observation:
God is really telling Job that if he can do all these things for himself, then God will agree that Job is as great as God. But if he cannot- and of course he cannot- then God is his creator and will always do what he wants for His creation, no matter how strong or able that creation is. God is always stronger.

Application:
This instills a little fear in me- it also gives me comfort. No matter how strong men think they are- God is stronger. No matter how powerful some leaders are- God is stronger. God will always be able to rule over all and accomplish His goals.

Prayer:
Lord, bless us. I know You have the power to save us from this world- let me be in awe and reverence of that power and also use it as comfort. You are good- Your ways are good, and let Your blessings upon Your people be good. Amen.

September 12, 2009- Everlasting Kingdom

Scripture to read today:

Daniel 3; Daniel 4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture that spoke to me:
Revelation 17:12-14
The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

Observation:
I went surfing for the meaning of the ten kings who are to reign with the beast. These are given by Sir Isaac Newton as follows: (1) Kingdom of the Vandals in Spain and Africa. (2) Kingdom of the Visigoths. (3) Kingdom of the Suevi in Spain. (4) Kingdom of the Alans in France. (5) Kingdoms of the Burgundians. (6) Kingdom of the Franks. (7) Kingdom of the Britons. (8) Kingdom of the Huns. (9) Kingdom of the Lombards. (10) Kingdom of Ravenna. The Roman empire was broken up into these kingdoms, and they were all supporters of the Papacy. These ten kings or kingdoms did not exist in the time of John. (From the People’s New Testament Commentary)

Application:
This really hit me this morning because I like history- I like studying the way things were. And this morning, I realized that many countries have come and gone. Just look back on a map of the past 50 years and you’ll see tons of changes! Looking back 1000 years, you wouldn’t recognize many places at all. Kings come and go, so do countries, and rulers-  people with power and wealth don’t survive. But God is still here. He is still mighty! He will be here long after these countries are nothing but a page in the history book, if they’re even remembered at all. So who will you follow? A president, king, or celebrity who is popular now, or will you back the Everlasting One who will remain once the rest are gone?

Prayer:
Lord, earthly kingdoms are fleeting, but You reign forever. Be my King and let me worship only You. Amen.

August 5, 2009- Becoming Famous

Scripture to read today:

2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7

Scripture that spoke to me:
John 7:4
You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”

Observation:
Jesus’ brothers are trying to convince him to go to the festival and show what he can do. Their thinking is, if he can do such miraculous things, he should do them and become famous. Jesus’ answer, of course, is that his time has not yet come. He wasn’t there to put on a show, or be famous, but to tell the world of God’s goodness.

Application:
We’d opt for the show. I’m pretty sure that if I could do just one of the miracles Jesus did, I’d want to show off. I’d want people to see what I could do. The difference is, Jesus was showing what God could do- not he himself. I struggle with that- I give God the credit sometimes, but I like the accolades from people who tell me I do a good job.

Prayer:
Forgive me Lord for wanting the praises when they should all be Yours. Amen.

July 30, 2009- Darkness and Evil

Scripture to read today:

Isaiah 60; Isaiah 61; Isaiah 62; John 1

Scripture that spoke to me:
John 1: The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

Observation:
Dark cannot swallow light. The light may be dim and small but light will always brighten darkness. Of course, John is speaking of Jesus and how He shines on the lives of men. He is the light of the world, and no darkness can extinguish that light.

Application:
Someone asked me once, “If God made everything, and it was good, why does evil exist?” It is an age-old question- and one that many non-believers like to show as a sign that believers cannot be right. I used the light/dark idea. Darkness isn’t an entity. It has no power. It is merely the absence of light. You can’t add darkness to make more darkness. You can keep adding light- light has the power! Therefore, as darkness is merely the absence of light, evil is merely the absence of God.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for shining your light on the world. Help me be a reflection of that light. Amen.

May 23, 2009- The Power of God

Scripture to read today:

2 Chronicles 6; 2 Chronicles 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Chronicles 7:2
The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it.

Observation:
I have read this several times through scripture. Moses couldn’t enter the tabernacle because the cloud that the Lord was in filled it. The awesome power of the Lord is more than we can imagine.

Application:
These times in the Bible where people encounter God face to face (or at least presence to face) remind me of just how powerful our God is. I have been places that give me the creeps- something is spooky and I just want to get out of there. This must be somewhat like that, but in a good way. The power that comes from God is such a force that no one can get near it. I think of the transfiguration, how Jesus was shining so brightly that the disciples couldn’t look at him. This powerful God is the one who loves us, protects us, cares for us, and asks us only to worship Him. Thank goodness He is on my side!

Prayer:
Lord, You are so incredibly powerful that we cannot begin to comprehend all that You can do. But in Your power and strength, there is also compassion and love for Your people. Thank You for caring about us, for loving us, and for understanding us, even when we do not treat You with the respect and awe that we should. Forgive our shortcomings, and continue to extend to us Your grace. Amen.

May 11, 2009- A Reflection of Love

Scripture to read today:

2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Observation:
This is the Great Commission- where Jesus is sending His disciples out to tell the world about all they have learned from and about Him. It is what Christians are still called to do to this day. Spread the word that Jesus lives, and He is the Son of God.

Application:
I don’t think we do a very good job of this most of the time. It is hard to stand out there and say “I’m a Christian” in a room full of unbelievers. But maybe that isn’t exactly what Jesus intended for me. I don’t have the gift of making pretty speeches. I’m a happy person- kind, content, accepting- and when people meet me they want to know what makes me so peaceful. Then I tell them about Jesus and the love I get from Him. In other words, they want what I have. Now don’t misunderstand me- I’m way not perfect, and this doesn’t always happen. I lose my temper now and then, or speak ill of someone or pass along gossip, and all that will blow my chance at speaking of Jesus. We have enough hypocrits in the world, and I really don’t want to be one of them. I’m just doing the best I can. If we all try to pass along the love of Jesus, that is the best we can do in most cases. We’re not going to win people to Jesus by preaching or moralizing at them, although some people may always know the right things to say. (I usually know the right thing to say a day late!)

Prayer:
Lord, help me to keep my love during those trying times, and to remember that everything I do reflects You to someone else. Amen.

May 4, 2009- Be Fruitful and Believe

Scripture to read today:

2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 9; 1 Chronicles 18; 1 Chronicles 19; Matthew 21

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 21:21-22
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Observation:
Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had no fruit on it, and it withered and died. The disciples asked him how it died so quickly. The above is his answer. You must have faith and not doubt. You must believe with your whole heart that you can have what you have asked for in prayer.

Application:
First off, we have to look at why the fig tree was not allowed to live- it didn’t bear fruit. How many of us go through life not bearing any fruit? Do we produce anything of merit? Lesson one today is to be fruitful! Lesson two comes in belief- truly believe. I know you have heard me say this before, but I often have much unbelief. Not that I think God can’t do something, but that He won’t. I’ve seen too many times when prayers weren’t answered. The lesson today is to not let the unanswered prayers form my beliefs for the future. I have to believe that God will answer my prayers- even if I may not like the answer He has for me!

Prayer:
Lord, change my heart and my way of thinking. I know You can do anything and want to bless me in my life. Help me to truly believe that I can have what I pray for. (And also let me see Your will at work when I don’t get what I want!) Amen.

May 1, 2009- Strength in Praying Numbers

Scripture to read today:

1 Chronicles 14; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 18:19-20
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Observation:
There is power in numbers. There is strength in working together. Agreeing on something can be tough, but how many times do we agree on something and then forget to take it to God? David ran into that same problem in our Chronicles reading. He is moving the ark, and realizes that someone got hurt the last time it was moved because they forgot to ask the Lord how to do it.

Application:
We need more group prayers. I’m lucky enough now to have someone to go out to eat with who doesn’t mind praying in restaurants. So we bless our food. But beyond that, we talk about our hopes and dreams, but often forget to ask God for them! As a society, we don’t pray together on a very personal level.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive my shortcomings. Thank you for being with me through all my failures, my good intentions, and my forgetfulness. Amen.