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 24, 2010- Give me Strength

Scripture to read today:
Numbers 14; Numbers 15; Numbers 16; Mark 3

Scripture that spoke to me:
Numbers 14:2-3
All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

Observation:
The Israelites are sure a bunch of whiners. They have sent 12 men to explore the promised land and do not like the report they got- the land is beautiful and fertile but the people are fierce. The Israelites, in their own eyes, are beaten before the battle has begun. They don’t have faith in their God. They don’t really have faith in themselves.

Application:
I can identify with this sometimes, though. I have forgotten this in my efforts to lose this last 20 lbs. It is hard- I can’t do it. But I haven’t put it on my prayer list- haven’t asked the Master for help in doing it. Yes it might still be hard, but He will help me do it. This applies to many other things. After all, Jesus says “ask and you will receive.” And Paul reminds us, in Philippians 4:13, that I “can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” And that’s a wonderful thing!

Prayer:
Lord, I’m weak. I give in to cake and french fries. I like food too much and it affects my health. Please give me the strength that it will take to be the healthiest I can be- to make good food choices, to find time for the gym, and to treat my body like the holy vessel that You created it to be. Amen.

January 31, 2010- Stand Up For Jesus

Scripture to read today:
Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 7:51-53
“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Observation:
Stephen is speaking the Truth- the truth of Jesus Christ- and he will be persecuted and stoned for it.

Application:
What would I do if I was faced with persecution for my beliefs? Would I have the courage to stand up for Him? I hope so, but I also know that often I’m weak. I do things that I don’t want to do. I hope I would have the strength but I’m not sure.

Prayer:
Lord, give me strength to always speak Your name, no matter how it may change my circumstances. 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.

October 2, 2009- Strengthening the Bars

Scripture to read today:

Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture that spoke to me:
Psalm 147:12-13
Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion,
for he strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.

Observation:
I love the imagery in this verse- He strengthens the bars of your gates… In other words, He makes you a better “you” than you are without Him! We are flesh, merely men and women, but with God girding us, we are filled with the Light and strengthened by His mighty hand.

Application:
I look at people who don’t know God and wonder how they make it sometimes. I know that they go throughout their day with the same struggles I face. I know that their lives are not much different from mine in the tasks that lie ahead. But there is such a peace about me- I know that God is with me and will help things turn out ok in the end, even when they don’t seem like they will at the moment. I wonder how others make it, relying only on themselves.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for letting me lean on You every day. Thanks for strengthening me to face another day and another task. Amen.

August 27, 2009- God is Bigger

Scripture to read today:

Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143; Psalm 144

Scripture that spoke to me:
Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right and on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Observation:
Jesus conquered death! God is more powerful than any other force on earth, and He will get us through anything that might face us. He is mightier than our problems; stronger than our enemies.

Application:
I’d love to know how many times in the Bible the words “fear not” (or “do not be afraid”) appear. It seems to be a recurring theme. But in every situation I can remember, I don’t know that I would be able to be unafraid. I imagine my heart pounding as angels sing in the fields. I imagine my heart pounding in a boat with waves crashing all around. I don’t think we’re told to not be afraid of the situation, but we’re told not to be afraid because we’re not alone. God is always with us, and if He can conquer death, He can give us the courage to see us through whatever problem is making our heart pound.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for always being with us; for being bigger than our problems; and for holding our hand through the scariest times of our life. Amen.

August 10, 2009- The Love of Praise

Scripture to read today:

Jeremiah 5; Jeremiah 6; John 12

Scripture that spoke to me:
John 12:42-43
Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

Observation:
Jesus is nearing the end of his ministry, and danger to him and those around him is increasingly great. Men who might openly believe are intimidated into silence by the Pharisees. These are people who care what others think- care about their standing in the community and in the church.

Application:
Have you ever kept quiet about something because you think your view isn’t the popular one? (And I’m not necessarily talking about religion, although that and politics can set people against each other fairly quickly.) I was blog surfing this morning and came across one where people wanted to point out “errors” in the Bible. I do realize that there are inconsistencies in the Bible. This book was written over 4000 years, so I’d imagine some things changed during that time! But these people wanted to leave out a fact here and point out a fact there. I have to wonder, from most of the comments, if anyone was thinking for themselves or just taking what was written as fact. I wavered a minute, but then decided to point out the 2 biggest left-out facts. I wonder if that will make a difference, but I didn’t want to be like the people who kept quiet in this verse above.

Prayer:
Lord, let me be more concerned about You than about others. Help me know what to say, and when to say it, so that others may see Your goodness and greatness. Amen.

July 15, 2009- Leaning on Jesus

Scripture to read today:

Isaiah 22; Isaiah 23; Isaiah 24; Hebrews 12

Scripture that spoke to me:
Hebrews 12:22-24
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

Observation:
We don’t worship a god of signs- a god of idols. We don’t have to pray only at an altar, or stand in awe of a burning bush, we have the living Jesus with us always, to be with us wherever we are. We don’t have to rid ourselves of our enemies, or ride into battle; instead, we only need to lean on Jesus for our troubles to be eased.

Application:
So, leaning on Jesus sounds like an easy thing to do, but how do you do it? For me, it just means to speak to him at times throughout the day. Keep him present in my life. Then, I have a friend I can tell everything to- someone to listen and to be there whether things are good or things are bad. And all that most of us want is just to know that we’re not alone in this world- and we aren’t if we have Jesus by our side.

Prayer:
Thank you dear Jesus for being with me throughout my day- no matter what may come up, I know you are a faithful friend. I love you. 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.

June 1, 2009- Love Hurts

Scripture to read today:

Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21; Romans 13

Scripture that spoke to me:
Romans 13:9-10
The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Observation:
Love does no harm… I like the thought of that. According to Paul, love is patient and kind. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. Jesus summed it all up in one word- love.

Application:
I think sometimes we confuse love with desire. But desire is self-serving. Desire doesn’t take into account what others may want. Love puts everything on the other person- I’ll try to explain what I mean. If I love you, I want what is best for you. That may mean I have to suffer, or give up something I want, but if I truly love you, I will want to see you succeed and be willing to sacrifice.  A good example of this is watching Brandon plan for college. There’s nothing I’d like better than for him to live here forever, and Savannah is really going to miss him, too. But I know the best thing, for him, is to get out there and get his education. I love him enough to let him go.

Prayer:
Lord, help heal my heart from this selfless love. Where I need to love another by letting go, let there be joy to fill that empty space. Amen.