Today's Reading
1 Samuel. My name comes from this heritage, for my mother was like Hannah: childless and offering to dedicate her firstborn to the Lord. Therefore, this story is extra personal to me. (I didn't know about my mom's commitment until after I felt God's specific call into ministry when I was 18 years old.) It opens a great history of Israel and her people.
John. Jesus' secret -- the way he knew what to do in each unique situation -- was to "see" what the Father was doing and do the same thing. One of the results of true spiritual growth is that we can "see" what God is up to more clearly and simply do those things. I am puzzled about what was behind it when Jesus later approached the man he had healed and told him he better quit sinning or something worse might happen to him. I wonder what was in that man's life that Jesus saw.
Psalms. God poured out continuous blessings, longing for His people to know and follow Him. It is much the same today, but now the Holy Spirit enters our lives when we receive Jesus and God Himself is leading us from within our own hearts.
Proverbs. Oh, how much damage is done by hot tempers. May God help us learn to control our tongues.
What do you see today, Climbing Companion? Do you have questions?
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 6
Today's Reading
Ruth. I'm blinking back tears as I read the story of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was older and we know nothing of a wife previous to Ruth. Perhaps he was a widower or perhaps he had never married. Boaz grew up in a home where he learned about kindness to people regardless of their background. His mother was Rahab the Harlot, whom we met back in the town of Jericho (book of Joshua). Notice what Boaz said about Ruth's reputation during her short tenure in the region: 11 "Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman."
Boaz and Ruth married, had children and their great-grandson was a shepherd in Bethlehem named David. Hundreds of years later, a direct descendant was born in Bethlehem to a virgin named Mary.
John. Jesus' question, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”, is interesting. Here, at the beginning of His ministry, perhaps He was just beginning to understand that it would be miracles that caused many to notice Him. What caused you to notice Him?
Psalms. One can imagine this Psalm set to music. It told an epic part of Israel's history to succeeding generations.
Proverbs. "Fear" in these verses means a deep awe and reverence. As we learn to revere God and trust His unfailing love, we experience Him as a refuge and the constant Provider of all we need.
God has spoken to my heart again today. I pray that he speaks to yours. Do you have questions? What are your thoughts?
Ruth. I'm blinking back tears as I read the story of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was older and we know nothing of a wife previous to Ruth. Perhaps he was a widower or perhaps he had never married. Boaz grew up in a home where he learned about kindness to people regardless of their background. His mother was Rahab the Harlot, whom we met back in the town of Jericho (book of Joshua). Notice what Boaz said about Ruth's reputation during her short tenure in the region: 11 "Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman."
Boaz and Ruth married, had children and their great-grandson was a shepherd in Bethlehem named David. Hundreds of years later, a direct descendant was born in Bethlehem to a virgin named Mary.
John. Jesus' question, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”, is interesting. Here, at the beginning of His ministry, perhaps He was just beginning to understand that it would be miracles that caused many to notice Him. What caused you to notice Him?
Psalms. One can imagine this Psalm set to music. It told an epic part of Israel's history to succeeding generations.
Proverbs. "Fear" in these verses means a deep awe and reverence. As we learn to revere God and trust His unfailing love, we experience Him as a refuge and the constant Provider of all we need.
God has spoken to my heart again today. I pray that he speaks to yours. Do you have questions? What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5
Today's Reading
Judges concludes today with a final description of just how far Israel had strayed from God. Don't buy in to the lie that people are inherently good.
Ruth begins and tells us of someone who was the antithesis of the Israelis during the period of the judges. She was loyal, kind, hard-working and willing to leave everything she knew to follow Naomi (and the Living God).
John. I feel refreshed just by reading the encounter described between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Wells that were fed by underground springs were called "living water" because they were always full -- no matter how much was used. Jesus offers us that same "living water" springing up from within as God replenishes us by His Spirit. As we yield to His life, we are amazed at the harvest God shows us.
Psalms. 11 “I will give you the land of Canaan
as your special possession.” If we get our worldview from the world (which I find easy to do), we make the mistake of thinking that the Israelis should yield the Land to their neighbors because the others were there first. The truth is that God was their first. He created it, He owns it (Psalm 24:1) and it's His to do with as He pleases. What a mess we have when we don't acknowledge HIm as God!
Proverbs. May we speak the truth in love today. May we listen with humility when others speak the truth to us.
I am grateful for God's Word to us today. How about you? Do you have thoughts or questions?
Judges concludes today with a final description of just how far Israel had strayed from God. Don't buy in to the lie that people are inherently good.
Ruth begins and tells us of someone who was the antithesis of the Israelis during the period of the judges. She was loyal, kind, hard-working and willing to leave everything she knew to follow Naomi (and the Living God).
John. I feel refreshed just by reading the encounter described between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Wells that were fed by underground springs were called "living water" because they were always full -- no matter how much was used. Jesus offers us that same "living water" springing up from within as God replenishes us by His Spirit. As we yield to His life, we are amazed at the harvest God shows us.
Psalms. 11 “I will give you the land of Canaan
as your special possession.” If we get our worldview from the world (which I find easy to do), we make the mistake of thinking that the Israelis should yield the Land to their neighbors because the others were there first. The truth is that God was their first. He created it, He owns it (Psalm 24:1) and it's His to do with as He pleases. What a mess we have when we don't acknowledge HIm as God!
Proverbs. May we speak the truth in love today. May we listen with humility when others speak the truth to us.
I am grateful for God's Word to us today. How about you? Do you have thoughts or questions?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4
Today's Reading
Judges. It seems that this event took place early in the period of the Judges since Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, was the priest. Every part of is presents a graphic picture of what life was like when people forgot their allegiance to God. What do you think of it?
John's testimony about Jesus today in John is very profound. He understood that Jesus came from above and lived on this earth as the Son of God. This verse particularly jumped out at me: "34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit." John was the prophet who essentially closed the Old Testament and opened the New. In the O.T., the Spirit came upon people for specific acts of service. This new outpouring of the Spirit -- available to us to day -- was totally different. AND I sure need it!
Psalms. Praise the Lord! He is the great provider of all I need!
Proverbs. Plan to do good; work hard; seek wisdom. God will provide!
Your thoughts today? Questions?
Judges. It seems that this event took place early in the period of the Judges since Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, was the priest. Every part of is presents a graphic picture of what life was like when people forgot their allegiance to God. What do you think of it?
John's testimony about Jesus today in John is very profound. He understood that Jesus came from above and lived on this earth as the Son of God. This verse particularly jumped out at me: "34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit." John was the prophet who essentially closed the Old Testament and opened the New. In the O.T., the Spirit came upon people for specific acts of service. This new outpouring of the Spirit -- available to us to day -- was totally different. AND I sure need it!
Psalms. Praise the Lord! He is the great provider of all I need!
Proverbs. Plan to do good; work hard; seek wisdom. God will provide!
Your thoughts today? Questions?
Monday, May 3, 2010
May 3
Today's Reading
Judges. As we near the end of this book, we get a picture of just how far the people went in doing "what was right in their own eyes." Today we see conflict between the tribes of Israel and how the strong ruled over the weak. We also see people holding to outward religion (idols, personal priest, etc.) rather than worshiping God from the heart. These were the very things God had warned about through Moses and reminded them of through Joshua. This all helped set them up for the troubles they would encounter in years to come.
John. This passage is so familiar and yet so fresh. Nicodemus knew the Law and the Prophets, yet he didn't know what it meant to have new life. It's not enough to know the Bible; we must be born of God's Spirit and made into a new creation.
Psalms. If, in an instant, you could step into a rain forest with the nearest human hundreds of miles away. If you could then transport to the top of the highest mountain and stand there. If, in the next instant, you could be at the deepest depths of the ocean and -- finally -- be standing on the surface of an uninhabited planet many light years away... God would already be there before you. That's what I thought of as I read today's passage.
Proverbs reminds us of how easy it is to ignore, criticize, and neglect the poor. God's blessing is upon those who don't.
That's it for today. What are your thoughts? Your questions?
Judges. As we near the end of this book, we get a picture of just how far the people went in doing "what was right in their own eyes." Today we see conflict between the tribes of Israel and how the strong ruled over the weak. We also see people holding to outward religion (idols, personal priest, etc.) rather than worshiping God from the heart. These were the very things God had warned about through Moses and reminded them of through Joshua. This all helped set them up for the troubles they would encounter in years to come.
John. This passage is so familiar and yet so fresh. Nicodemus knew the Law and the Prophets, yet he didn't know what it meant to have new life. It's not enough to know the Bible; we must be born of God's Spirit and made into a new creation.
Psalms. If, in an instant, you could step into a rain forest with the nearest human hundreds of miles away. If you could then transport to the top of the highest mountain and stand there. If, in the next instant, you could be at the deepest depths of the ocean and -- finally -- be standing on the surface of an uninhabited planet many light years away... God would already be there before you. That's what I thought of as I read today's passage.
Proverbs reminds us of how easy it is to ignore, criticize, and neglect the poor. God's blessing is upon those who don't.
That's it for today. What are your thoughts? Your questions?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
May 2
Today's Reading
Judges. Today gives us the account of Samson. It's fascinating, tragic and full of lessons. In a way, it was Samson's pride that brought him down rather than the loss of his hair. He thought he could always outwit the enemy and he couldn't.
John. Jesus, full of love for people, knew He couldn't entrust Himself to us. God is faithful. Always. We can be very fickle.
Psalms. No matter how much we struggle, God is full of unfailing love. All we must do is yield ourselves to Him. What a blessing!
Proverbs shows that wisdom is like a treasure that can be buried deep. It is worth the time, energy and input from others to dig out.
What do you see today? Do you have questions?
Judges. Today gives us the account of Samson. It's fascinating, tragic and full of lessons. In a way, it was Samson's pride that brought him down rather than the loss of his hair. He thought he could always outwit the enemy and he couldn't.
John. Jesus, full of love for people, knew He couldn't entrust Himself to us. God is faithful. Always. We can be very fickle.
Psalms. No matter how much we struggle, God is full of unfailing love. All we must do is yield ourselves to Him. What a blessing!
Proverbs shows that wisdom is like a treasure that can be buried deep. It is worth the time, energy and input from others to dig out.
What do you see today? Do you have questions?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1
Today's Reading
Judges. Today begins the story of Samson. It is an account of tragedy and heroism. One note: the "angel of the Lord" was almost certainly God Himself taking on human form. Throughout Scripture, angels never accept worship from people because they, too, are created beings. This person accept the worship of Samson's parents.
John describes these early encounters with Jesus with growing awareness that He was Messiah. I am riveted by the descriptions and what must have been going on in the minds of these first followers.
Psalms. One thing I like about this chapter is how it looks forward to a day when masses of people are together worshiping the Lord. May it happen in our generation!
Proverbs. These two verses describe what it's like to work with our Stone Ridge Elders. Please join me in gratitude for them.
Your thoughts today, Climbing Companion? Do you have questions?
Judges. Today begins the story of Samson. It is an account of tragedy and heroism. One note: the "angel of the Lord" was almost certainly God Himself taking on human form. Throughout Scripture, angels never accept worship from people because they, too, are created beings. This person accept the worship of Samson's parents.
John describes these early encounters with Jesus with growing awareness that He was Messiah. I am riveted by the descriptions and what must have been going on in the minds of these first followers.
Psalms. One thing I like about this chapter is how it looks forward to a day when masses of people are together worshiping the Lord. May it happen in our generation!
Proverbs. These two verses describe what it's like to work with our Stone Ridge Elders. Please join me in gratitude for them.
Your thoughts today, Climbing Companion? Do you have questions?
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