Today's Reading
It's beautiful and amazing that -- in Ezra today -- the people re-started the work on the Temple based on the prophetic word they received. Then, after they started by faith, God allowed "sight" to catch up. First, they faced opposition, then received the surprise support of King Darius. They probably didn't know that, on the other end of this communication was a king who had received great help from God's wisdom through a man named Daniel. Even during opposition, Daniel remained faithful and Darius rejoiced when he came in the morning to the den of lions and found Daniel alive. God knows how to accomplish His purposes!
1 Corinthians: Paul made it clear that the people needed to learn to follow Christ. It is both an honor and a source of godly fear on the part of a leader to discover that people want to follow him/her. Godly leaders want people to turn their faith to God, for only He can meet their deepest needs.
Psalms: anyone who has lived through a tornado or a hurricane and who reads this Psalm, will have awe over the great "voice of the Lord."
Proverbs: I have noticed that sometimes my motives are hidden even from me. God has a way of purifying us by heating up our lives and showing us what is in our hearts. Then, I can confess my wrong heart and let God cleanse me and help me reflect the light of Jesus more clearly."
What do you notice today?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
August 6
Today's Reading
In Ezra today, the people began to face opposition to rebuilding the Temple. It went on for years. Even though God orchestrated their return to The Land, the enemy was doing everything possible to keep them from completing their work. Life can be a struggle. Those who commit themselves to God end up on the winning side, though.
1 Corinthians: it's a mystery how people who are born again get awakened to the truths of God's Spirit. The Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, is alive! We can squeeze God out, though, as it says in Chapter 3. The term "sinful nature" in this translation is really not accurate. The accurate word is "flesh." I like it from another translation which calls them people "of a secular mindset." What mindset do you have?
Psalms: when we walk with God, we must always be aware that some people will smile at our faces which looking for us to stumble.
Proverbs: we will never understand everything. We must learn to seek wisdom, yet move out in faith even when we don't have all the answers.
Your thoughts?
In Ezra today, the people began to face opposition to rebuilding the Temple. It went on for years. Even though God orchestrated their return to The Land, the enemy was doing everything possible to keep them from completing their work. Life can be a struggle. Those who commit themselves to God end up on the winning side, though.
1 Corinthians: it's a mystery how people who are born again get awakened to the truths of God's Spirit. The Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, is alive! We can squeeze God out, though, as it says in Chapter 3. The term "sinful nature" in this translation is really not accurate. The accurate word is "flesh." I like it from another translation which calls them people "of a secular mindset." What mindset do you have?
Psalms: when we walk with God, we must always be aware that some people will smile at our faces which looking for us to stumble.
Proverbs: we will never understand everything. We must learn to seek wisdom, yet move out in faith even when we don't have all the answers.
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
August 5
Today's Reading
Ezra begins where 2 Chronicles left off. After God's planned "Sabbath" of 70 years for the land that had forgotten Sabbaths, God worked in the heart of a pagan king, Cyrus, and sent His people home. Ezra gives the roll call of those who went back to the Promised Land. It tells also about the refurbishing of the Temple in Jerusalem. What a homecoming they had!
1 Corinthians today is more personal to me than ever before. Some people I love more than life itself are caught up in this world's wisdom which considers the ways of God "foolishness." I find comfort in Paul's simple proclamation of the cross. It makes me even more focused in my prayers because only God can bring a person away from the wisdom of the world to the only source of Eternal Life.
Psalms: "13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
Amen!
Proverbs: be cautious that you don't try to take matters into your own hands. If someone is being treated unfairly by a double standard, God is not pleased. Let Him handle it!
What do you notice?
Ezra begins where 2 Chronicles left off. After God's planned "Sabbath" of 70 years for the land that had forgotten Sabbaths, God worked in the heart of a pagan king, Cyrus, and sent His people home. Ezra gives the roll call of those who went back to the Promised Land. It tells also about the refurbishing of the Temple in Jerusalem. What a homecoming they had!
1 Corinthians today is more personal to me than ever before. Some people I love more than life itself are caught up in this world's wisdom which considers the ways of God "foolishness." I find comfort in Paul's simple proclamation of the cross. It makes me even more focused in my prayers because only God can bring a person away from the wisdom of the world to the only source of Eternal Life.
Psalms: "13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
Amen!
Proverbs: be cautious that you don't try to take matters into your own hands. If someone is being treated unfairly by a double standard, God is not pleased. Let Him handle it!
What do you notice?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
August 4
Today's Reading
2 Chronicles: the era of the kings came to an end. After the death of Josiah, the nation went downhill quickly and was ultimately taken captive by Babylon. God always accomplishes His purposes and His people would return after the 70 years of Sabbath rest. Foolish is the nation who sides against Israel, even today. I don't know why they are God's chosen nation, but they are.
1 Corinthians: this first letter from Paul to the Corinth church may cause you to think that Paul saw them as entirely carnal. Actually, he spent a long time ministering there and he had a deep love for the people. He will confront some significant issues in this letter. His second letter tells the history of their wonderful response.
Psalms: life is full of battles that often feel overwhelming. I love this reminder that we can be confident in the Lord. Always.
Proverbs: have you read the stories of the people who win the mega-lotteries? They are tragedies. I always think of this verse in Proverbs when I hear them.
What do you notice today?
2 Chronicles: the era of the kings came to an end. After the death of Josiah, the nation went downhill quickly and was ultimately taken captive by Babylon. God always accomplishes His purposes and His people would return after the 70 years of Sabbath rest. Foolish is the nation who sides against Israel, even today. I don't know why they are God's chosen nation, but they are.
1 Corinthians: this first letter from Paul to the Corinth church may cause you to think that Paul saw them as entirely carnal. Actually, he spent a long time ministering there and he had a deep love for the people. He will confront some significant issues in this letter. His second letter tells the history of their wonderful response.
Psalms: life is full of battles that often feel overwhelming. I love this reminder that we can be confident in the Lord. Always.
Proverbs: have you read the stories of the people who win the mega-lotteries? They are tragedies. I always think of this verse in Proverbs when I hear them.
What do you notice today?
Monday, August 3, 2009
August 3
Today's Reading
2 Chronicles: it's interesting that Hezekiah was known as a good king, but he hardened his heart against God at the end. His son Manasseh was known as evil, but he repented and turned to the Lord in the end. Then we read about Josiah, the bright star among the later kings. Josiah had a great heart for God. The people did what he said, but obviously their hearts weren't changed.
Romans today includes the second part of Paul's conclusion. Besides sending greetings to and from a variety of associates, he warns them to be wary of those who would cause divisions among God's people. It's a good warning today. For sure.
Psalms: verse 2 says, "Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart." It's one thing to look good outwardly, but quite another to do the right things with the right motives. I still have to work on this one!
Proverbs: oh, but isn't gossip juicy and sweet? Unless you're the subject. I have been. It hurts.
What do you think?
2 Chronicles: it's interesting that Hezekiah was known as a good king, but he hardened his heart against God at the end. His son Manasseh was known as evil, but he repented and turned to the Lord in the end. Then we read about Josiah, the bright star among the later kings. Josiah had a great heart for God. The people did what he said, but obviously their hearts weren't changed.
Romans today includes the second part of Paul's conclusion. Besides sending greetings to and from a variety of associates, he warns them to be wary of those who would cause divisions among God's people. It's a good warning today. For sure.
Psalms: verse 2 says, "Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart." It's one thing to look good outwardly, but quite another to do the right things with the right motives. I still have to work on this one!
Proverbs: oh, but isn't gossip juicy and sweet? Unless you're the subject. I have been. It hurts.
What do you think?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
August 2
Today's Reading
2 Chronicles: "31 However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart." This must have been some of what Jesus went through in His temptation by the devil in the wilderness. God allows us to go through a "dark night of the soul" when He seems to have forgotten us. At that time we either seek Him faithfully or turn to our own machinations to get things done.
Romans: Paul, in this conclusion, asks the Romans for a gift to help the poor saints in Israel. Jews were the first Christians. They were now parents and grandparents in the faith. Gentiles were newer followers of Christ, but many of them were either Roman citizens or at least more wealthy than the Jews. There had been a family in the Middle East and the poor were suffering the most. Paul was collecting a benevolence offering to help them.
Psalms: David had learned well how to seek God in the dark nights of his own soul (see above comment on 2 Chronicles).
Proverbs: it is disastrous for someone to make a big decision without wise counsel. I have seen many leaders hit the wall because of this mistake.
What do you think today?
2 Chronicles: "31 However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart." This must have been some of what Jesus went through in His temptation by the devil in the wilderness. God allows us to go through a "dark night of the soul" when He seems to have forgotten us. At that time we either seek Him faithfully or turn to our own machinations to get things done.
Romans: Paul, in this conclusion, asks the Romans for a gift to help the poor saints in Israel. Jews were the first Christians. They were now parents and grandparents in the faith. Gentiles were newer followers of Christ, but many of them were either Roman citizens or at least more wealthy than the Jews. There had been a family in the Middle East and the poor were suffering the most. Paul was collecting a benevolence offering to help them.
Psalms: David had learned well how to seek God in the dark nights of his own soul (see above comment on 2 Chronicles).
Proverbs: it is disastrous for someone to make a big decision without wise counsel. I have seen many leaders hit the wall because of this mistake.
What do you think today?
Saturday, August 1, 2009
August 1
Today's Reading
2 Chronicles: what all God's people have a heart to give, the church has plenty for ministry and plenty to help others. It was that way then. It's that way now.
Romans: I know that Jesus was a servant without hesitation. I sometimes fight off feelings of frustration and anger when I think others are demanding things of me. It's a bad attitude that I am praying about.
Psalms: "For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins." I would add many, many more "manys" to my confession!
Proverbs: an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. Deal honestly in business. Great reminders, huh?
What do you notice?
2 Chronicles: what all God's people have a heart to give, the church has plenty for ministry and plenty to help others. It was that way then. It's that way now.
Romans: I know that Jesus was a servant without hesitation. I sometimes fight off feelings of frustration and anger when I think others are demanding things of me. It's a bad attitude that I am praying about.
Psalms: "For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins." I would add many, many more "manys" to my confession!
Proverbs: an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. Deal honestly in business. Great reminders, huh?
What do you notice?
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