Today's Reading
2 Samuel: God always accomplishes His purposes. David had sinned and was being judged. David had failed to discipline his sons and was facing open rebellion. Yet, David was still God's anointed and a man after God's heart. God would protect David through this, but David had to learn painful lessons. God deals with us the same way.
John: I find it amazing how we can look on this scene with joy because of our historical perspective. Jesus, the Son of God, died on a cruel cross and it we rejoice. Why? Because He took our sins and made it possible for us to have life. Hold on -- Sunday's coming!
Psalm 119: God is always near and His Word teaches us His character. The more we walk with Him, the more that character shines through us.
Proverbs: the type of leader who leads with integrity expects nothing less from those he leads.
What is God saying to you today?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
May 30
Today's Reading
2 Samuel: just as Jesus faced betrayal, so did his ancestor David. David's response can teach us much about facing those who have something against us. Joab's brother Abishai would have been glad to kill Shimei, but David saw the big picture and wouldn't allow it.
John: "we have no king but Caesar!" What a sad testament to the location of their hearts.
Psalm 119 contains the simple testimony of a yielded man: "I am Your servant." I want that to be my testimony, growing more true every day of my life.
Proverbs: simply honesty and fairness with all people will help you develop a good name and give honor to God.
Your thoughts?
2 Samuel: just as Jesus faced betrayal, so did his ancestor David. David's response can teach us much about facing those who have something against us. Joab's brother Abishai would have been glad to kill Shimei, but David saw the big picture and wouldn't allow it.
John: "we have no king but Caesar!" What a sad testament to the location of their hearts.
Psalm 119 contains the simple testimony of a yielded man: "I am Your servant." I want that to be my testimony, growing more true every day of my life.
Proverbs: simply honesty and fairness with all people will help you develop a good name and give honor to God.
Your thoughts?
Friday, May 29, 2009
May 29
Today's Reading
2 Samuel: God used David's own weakness regarding the people he loved to set up the promised judgment of David's sin with Bathsheba an Uriah. David's son Amnon had raped Tamar and David did nothing about it so Absalom murdered his half-brother. David did nothing about that and Absalom decided to steal the kingdom from his dad. What pain and misery from the failure to make hard decisions. I often learn from this passage because I -- at one time -- also failed to take strong action with a rebellious staff member and our entire church suffered for it.
John describes today the dark scene of Jesus' arrest, along with the beginning of His trials and the first denial of Peter.
Psalm 119: praying this prayer today has reminded me of the importance of learning God's Word. As I meditate on it, I am shown the way to be protected from sin and to stand in the face of my soul's enemies.
Proverbs makes me think of the homes in the Beverly Hills area where I recently drove. The lure of riches is huge. The constant temptation, "These things I will give you if you will bow down and worship me," is enough to have destroyed many good people. May we walk in God's truth and not be fooled by the lie!
Your thoughts?
2 Samuel: God used David's own weakness regarding the people he loved to set up the promised judgment of David's sin with Bathsheba an Uriah. David's son Amnon had raped Tamar and David did nothing about it so Absalom murdered his half-brother. David did nothing about that and Absalom decided to steal the kingdom from his dad. What pain and misery from the failure to make hard decisions. I often learn from this passage because I -- at one time -- also failed to take strong action with a rebellious staff member and our entire church suffered for it.
John describes today the dark scene of Jesus' arrest, along with the beginning of His trials and the first denial of Peter.
Psalm 119: praying this prayer today has reminded me of the importance of learning God's Word. As I meditate on it, I am shown the way to be protected from sin and to stand in the face of my soul's enemies.
Proverbs makes me think of the homes in the Beverly Hills area where I recently drove. The lure of riches is huge. The constant temptation, "These things I will give you if you will bow down and worship me," is enough to have destroyed many good people. May we walk in God's truth and not be fooled by the lie!
Your thoughts?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
May 28
Today's Reading
2 Samuel: David's love for his children made it difficult for him to discipline them. It seems that he ignored Amnon's rape of Tamar since surely he had heard about it. Then he ignored Absalom as he took matters into his own hands. It's a setup for what will happen next.
John: this is the true "Lord's prayer." The one we call by that title is really a model prayer for us to pray. This is Jesus' prayer for us.
Psalm 119: it's really amazing. God's Word, when empowered by God's Spirit, is alive and touches every generation in every culture, location and language.
Proverbs: have you noticed that our most recent enemies constantly use our corruption and greed as the reason they want to destroy our nation? What would happen if our entire nation humbled themselves before God and lived according to God's instructions? I believe it would change the way the rest of the world looks at us.
Your thoughts today?
2 Samuel: David's love for his children made it difficult for him to discipline them. It seems that he ignored Amnon's rape of Tamar since surely he had heard about it. Then he ignored Absalom as he took matters into his own hands. It's a setup for what will happen next.
John: this is the true "Lord's prayer." The one we call by that title is really a model prayer for us to pray. This is Jesus' prayer for us.
Psalm 119: it's really amazing. God's Word, when empowered by God's Spirit, is alive and touches every generation in every culture, location and language.
Proverbs: have you noticed that our most recent enemies constantly use our corruption and greed as the reason they want to destroy our nation? What would happen if our entire nation humbled themselves before God and lived according to God's instructions? I believe it would change the way the rest of the world looks at us.
Your thoughts today?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May 27
Today's Reading
2 Samuel: I am struck more than ever before about the complexity of today's passage. Each person was walking through difficulties. David was grieving his son's death and broken over his own sin. Bathsheba was surely mourning the loss of Uriah and her complicity in the sin of adultery, as well as the death of her baby. Nathan was faithfully bringing the Word of the Lord to the king, regardless of the consequences. David's advisers were fretting over the king's demeanor. In the meantime, where was Joab? He was fighting Israel's battles on the battlefield. He was loyal to David...sort of.
John: this world is full of grief and pain. Because Jesus paid for our sins, arose and returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) is available to give us joy, strength, peace and direct access to God.
Psalm 119: no matter how long I walk with God, I am still "prone to wander." God allows me to undergo difficulties with the hope that I will humble myself before Him. Then I can receive His forgiveness and grow in character.
Proverbs: don't take today's verses as some kind to fatalistic proof that bad people have no choice. We ALL have choices. In the end, though, God has a purpose in everything and everyone.
Your thoughts?
2 Samuel: I am struck more than ever before about the complexity of today's passage. Each person was walking through difficulties. David was grieving his son's death and broken over his own sin. Bathsheba was surely mourning the loss of Uriah and her complicity in the sin of adultery, as well as the death of her baby. Nathan was faithfully bringing the Word of the Lord to the king, regardless of the consequences. David's advisers were fretting over the king's demeanor. In the meantime, where was Joab? He was fighting Israel's battles on the battlefield. He was loyal to David...sort of.
John: this world is full of grief and pain. Because Jesus paid for our sins, arose and returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) is available to give us joy, strength, peace and direct access to God.
Psalm 119: no matter how long I walk with God, I am still "prone to wander." God allows me to undergo difficulties with the hope that I will humble myself before Him. Then I can receive His forgiveness and grow in character.
Proverbs: don't take today's verses as some kind to fatalistic proof that bad people have no choice. We ALL have choices. In the end, though, God has a purpose in everything and everyone.
Your thoughts?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
May 26
Today's Reading
2 Samuel: as I read today's passage, it struck me that David's great victories -- accompanied by his magnanimous gestures to former enemies -- must have led him into pride. How else could he have given in to fleshly desires toward another man's wife, then have the other man killed?
John: the Holy Spirit keeps pointing us to Jesus. Our very existence depends upon Him. He is the vine, the source of life itself.
Psalms: as I prayed these verses, I was refreshed by one of my favorite verses (which happens to be in today's reading)...
"I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws."
Proverbs: no matter how much information we have, it is God who must ultimately approve our plans and make them happen.
As you make plans for the summer, what do today's lessons say to you?
2 Samuel: as I read today's passage, it struck me that David's great victories -- accompanied by his magnanimous gestures to former enemies -- must have led him into pride. How else could he have given in to fleshly desires toward another man's wife, then have the other man killed?
John: the Holy Spirit keeps pointing us to Jesus. Our very existence depends upon Him. He is the vine, the source of life itself.
Psalms: as I prayed these verses, I was refreshed by one of my favorite verses (which happens to be in today's reading)...
"I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws."
Proverbs: no matter how much information we have, it is God who must ultimately approve our plans and make them happen.
As you make plans for the summer, what do today's lessons say to you?
Monday, May 25, 2009
May 25
Today's Reading
2 Samuel: today's passage gives significant detail to David's work as a conqueror. When you realize the great distance covered by his military victories, you see that this was politically the most powerful time in Israel's history. What impresses me, though, is David's prayer: "Who am I, Lord...?"
John: Jesus was clearly speaking about His departure to heaven after the resurrection. Then he described what would begin on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would begin indwelling believers. Jesus said they would know the Spirit because He had been with them (in Jesus Himself) but the time was coming (Pentecost) when the Spirit would live in them. What a gift God has given us by giving us His Spirit!
Psalms: as I prayed these verses, this one stuck out:
"Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word."
Proverbs: genuine humility tends to get noticed by the wise.
What speaks to you today?
2 Samuel: today's passage gives significant detail to David's work as a conqueror. When you realize the great distance covered by his military victories, you see that this was politically the most powerful time in Israel's history. What impresses me, though, is David's prayer: "Who am I, Lord...?"
John: Jesus was clearly speaking about His departure to heaven after the resurrection. Then he described what would begin on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would begin indwelling believers. Jesus said they would know the Spirit because He had been with them (in Jesus Himself) but the time was coming (Pentecost) when the Spirit would live in them. What a gift God has given us by giving us His Spirit!
Psalms: as I prayed these verses, this one stuck out:
"Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word."
Proverbs: genuine humility tends to get noticed by the wise.
What speaks to you today?
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