Scripture to read today:
Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11
Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Observation:
Eat for God- drink for God- do everything for the glory of God.
Application:
I say grace before most every meal. I am thankful to God for all that He has blessed me with. But I’ve never thought about eating to honor Him. Drinking for the glory of God. I’m usually eating and drinking for my pleasure, or nourishment, or contentment….. I wonder how things are if you eat for God’s glory? Drive a car for God’s glory (bet you’d drive a lot differently!)? Wash dishes for God’s glory? I’m going to hold this verse close this week and see what becomes of it.
Prayer:
Lord, I don’t know that I understand how to eat and drink for You. I know that we are supposed to worship You always, but I’ve never thought about the mundane things we do in our day- bathing, washing dishes, eating- help me do everything for You, Dear Lord. Amen.
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.
Scripture to read today:
Esther 9; Esther 10; Luke 19
Scripture that spoke to me:
Luke 19:40
But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Observation:
The Pharisees were not happy that the crowd was praising Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem and would have preferred that the people remain silent. Jesus points out that all creation was made to worship God- and that it will. We see that in tribal areas where they have not been introduced to our idea of Jesus- there is still the idea of a Creator, or Great Spirit inherent in their beliefs.
Application:
I love the imagery of the rocks crying out. I know it is a New Age idea that all matter has energy, but I can believe that. Down to the molecules in a rock that are full of protons and neutrons, all creation is alive and somehow, must have an inherent love for its Creator.
Prayer:
Lord, let us see Your world as alive. You have created such wonderful things for us that we cry out to You our praise. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Ezekiel 42; Ezekiel 43; Ezekiel 44; Revelation 22
Scripture that spoke to me:
Revelation 22: 8-9
I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”
Observation:
In this last chapter of Revelation, John is telling us how he heard and saw all these things. An angel, sent from Jesus, gave him this message. And he was so in awe, he fell at the angel’s feet. But the angel reminded John that he was only the messenger- the praise belongs to the Lord.
Application:
I want to look at this as the messenger. We are all sent to spread the Good News- be the messenger. But how many times do we get the praise when something goes right? Do we remember to deflect that praise on to God? Or do we absorb the praise for ourselves? Especially with music, I struggle with the fact that I want to sing well- I want people to like what I’m singing- and I want the praise that comes with a job well done. But my motives need to be right. The praise is fine as long as I understand that the praise belongs to God, who gave me the gift I use to glorify Him.
Prayer:
Lord, this is hard. It is hard to not be prideful when a job is well done. Help me to balance that pride with worship and thanksgiving for the good things You give me. Help me to do a good job of showing You to other people through these gifts. Amen.
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.
Scripture to read today:
2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40; Jeremiah 41; Revelation 12
Scripture that spoke to me:
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.
Observation:
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that “weare not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” The devil and his forces are at work trying to win people away from the Lord. And those who have declared their love for Jesus are at the center of the target.
Application:
I’ve noticed that whenever something really good is about to happen, it seems like there is a force working against it. We’re getting ready to begin our children’s worship program again this fall and already there are obstacles to overcome. Mom and I went on a retreat last weekend that we thought may not happen because of some other things going on. But I do know this- the devil may get his little victories here and there, but he will not win. Because God is greater than all the evil forces, and the Lord will not be defeated.
Prayer:
Lord, You are mighty! You will reign over all- the good and the bad- and wipe the wicked from the earth. I believe in Your power, Your might, and Your grace. Amen.
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.
Scripture to read today:
Isaiah 65; Isaiah 66; Psalm 62; John 3
Scripture that spoke to me:
Isaiah 66:1
This is what the LORD says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
Observation:
The heavens and the earth belong to the Creator. God made everything we see; He gave us everything that we have. What can we do for Him? The Lord can have anything the way He wants it. He could move a mountain, change a sea. So what can we really do for Him? All our work is useless to Him unless it glorifies Him. If it allows more people to see who He is and what He does, then it is good work for Him.
Application:
This is a hard thing to reconcile sometimes. Steve is leaving for Mexico to build houses; Jaki is leaving for Africa next Saturday on a medical mission; I went to Cherokee and Savannah went to Gatlinburg; a host of church members have been places like Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, Israel… for what? To help people, of course, but why? Is it for us, to make us feel like we’re helping, or for God? I believe it is for God. Yes, we were helping, but doing it in His name passes on the love and caring that Jesus showed. And Jesus said to feed the hungry, clothe the poor. And that’s what we’re doing.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive us if our work isn’t the best- or our motives totally pure. We do want to work for You and we realize that there isn’t really anything we can do FOR You- only to help Your people live a little easier, and hopefully come to see Your love through our actions. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Isaiah 53; Isaiah 54; Isaiah 55; Isaiah 56; 2 Peter 2
Scripture that spoke to me:
Isaiah 55:11-12
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Observation:
God gave us the Bible as a tool to help us prosper; as a guide book for living. Everywhere people read it, they produce fruit. Peace and joy come to those who know the Lord, and there is no better way to get close to God than through His Word.
Application:
A year and a half ago, I decided to read the entire Bible. I had read bits and pieces of it, but had never been cover to cover. Now I’ve read most of it two times, and it never stops amazing me how whatever I’m reading seems relevant to my life. It is where we get to know God, but it is also where we get to know ourselves. I find myself on the page almost every day, in some situation or other. Sometimes it shames me, other times it uplifts me. Today, I’m living with the image of the trees clapping their hands. What a wonderful way to look at nature and the way nature worships the Creator, too!
Prayer:
Lord, as the trees clap, allow me to clap also, and be a fruitful tree of Your field. Amen.
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.
