Genesis 37:12-13; 18-19; 26-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Joseph Sold into Slavery
12 Soon after this, Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. 13 When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.”
“I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied. …
18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”…
26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? His blood would just give us a guilty conscience. 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.
Read Genesis 37 for the full context.
Joseph said he was ready to go but God had more development in store for Joseph. When you face trials and tribulations, count it as development for what God is preparing you to do for Kingdom building.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
REJECTING THE MESSAGE
Luke 10:8-12; 16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust
Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day. …
16 Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”
When the message of Good News which Jesus sent is rejected, the consequences are tragic. Reject the message … reject the messenger … reject Jesus … reject the Father.
Whoa be to the one who rejects the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust
Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day. …
16 Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”
When the message of Good News which Jesus sent is rejected, the consequences are tragic. Reject the message … reject the messenger … reject Jesus … reject the Father.
Whoa be to the one who rejects the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Friday, October 23, 2009
WELFARE TRAP
Nehemiah 5:9-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
9 Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations? 10 I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest. 11 You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.”
John Perkins, in his book With Justice For All, writes “The poor need something more than handouts. They need the means to build a better life for themselves … basic education … vocational and management skills … community-based economic enterprises.”
Both Nehemiah and Perkins called for a redistribution of resources as called for in the Law (Leviticus 25). Neither advocated charity or handouts. Justice is not served by perpetuating dependency but by equipping the dependent to take care of their own needs, under God’s good hand.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
9 Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations? 10 I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest. 11 You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.”
John Perkins, in his book With Justice For All, writes “The poor need something more than handouts. They need the means to build a better life for themselves … basic education … vocational and management skills … community-based economic enterprises.”
Both Nehemiah and Perkins called for a redistribution of resources as called for in the Law (Leviticus 25). Neither advocated charity or handouts. Justice is not served by perpetuating dependency but by equipping the dependent to take care of their own needs, under God’s good hand.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
FAIRNESS
Micah 6:8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Lord’s Case against Israel
8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
If you have been around very long, on the playground, in the workplace, maybe even in the home, the complaint “But it just isn’t fair.” The refs call in a football game, a promotion decision, a spouse’s transfer. Life isn’t fair.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are called … “he requires you”… to be fair in our dealings with each other. Tape this to your bathroom mirror:
Today … do what is right … love mercy … walk humbly with your God.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Lord’s Case against Israel
8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
If you have been around very long, on the playground, in the workplace, maybe even in the home, the complaint “But it just isn’t fair.” The refs call in a football game, a promotion decision, a spouse’s transfer. Life isn’t fair.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are called … “he requires you”… to be fair in our dealings with each other. Tape this to your bathroom mirror:
Today … do what is right … love mercy … walk humbly with your God.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
JUST MAYBE
Zechariah 7:8-13
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call to Justice and Mercy
8 Then this message came to Zechariah from the Lord: 9 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. 10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
11 “Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. 12 They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.
13 “Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
‘Just maybe’ our nation is struggling because we too have refused to listen to the LORD. He still says, “Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.”
Just maybe….
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call to Justice and Mercy
8 Then this message came to Zechariah from the Lord: 9 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. 10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
11 “Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. 12 They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.
13 “Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
‘Just maybe’ our nation is struggling because we too have refused to listen to the LORD. He still says, “Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.”
Just maybe….
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
GOD’S CHARACTER
Isaiah 30:18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Blessings for the Lord’s People
18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
From a biblical standpoint, God’s character is the absolute standard for justice and our awareness of this moral standard is part of our having been created in His image. When God shows compassion and justice, He is just being Himself.
Read what the poets and prophets say: Psalm 33:5; Psalm 89:14; Psalm 111:7; Proverbs 29:26; Isaiah 61:8; Amos 5:24.
Justice was also a prominent concern of Jesus, conspicuous in the manner in which He transcended social, racial and economic barriers in His ministry.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Blessings for the Lord’s People
18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
From a biblical standpoint, God’s character is the absolute standard for justice and our awareness of this moral standard is part of our having been created in His image. When God shows compassion and justice, He is just being Himself.
Read what the poets and prophets say: Psalm 33:5; Psalm 89:14; Psalm 111:7; Proverbs 29:26; Isaiah 61:8; Amos 5:24.
Justice was also a prominent concern of Jesus, conspicuous in the manner in which He transcended social, racial and economic barriers in His ministry.
Monday, October 19, 2009
CHECK YOUR LIVING
Amos 5:14-15; 24
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call to Repentance
14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.
24 … I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
an endless river of righteous living.
In Amos’s time, the people were prosperous. They were familiar with biblical truths, however, they failed to live by them. Amos’s contemporaries crossed the line.
The same is true today. People thrive in a setting in which fairness and justice are practiced. How do you treat people? Are you biased or do you play fair? Are you fair and just?
Human life flourishes where there is fairness and justice. That's what God wants.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call to Repentance
14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.
24 … I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
an endless river of righteous living.
In Amos’s time, the people were prosperous. They were familiar with biblical truths, however, they failed to live by them. Amos’s contemporaries crossed the line.
The same is true today. People thrive in a setting in which fairness and justice are practiced. How do you treat people? Are you biased or do you play fair? Are you fair and just?
Human life flourishes where there is fairness and justice. That's what God wants.
Friday, October 16, 2009
THE ADVOCATE
John 16:5-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
The disciples were upset when Jesus told them he would soon be leaving them. They had spent the last three years in the presence of the Son of God. It is no wonder that this news was distressing. No more teaching, no miracles to see, no examples to observe.
Jesus knew something better was ahead for them. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, was coming to give them the power they would need to change the world. Yes, Christianity has and still is changing the world in which we live. As you witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, one conversion at a time, change is taking place.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
The disciples were upset when Jesus told them he would soon be leaving them. They had spent the last three years in the presence of the Son of God. It is no wonder that this news was distressing. No more teaching, no miracles to see, no examples to observe.
Jesus knew something better was ahead for them. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, was coming to give them the power they would need to change the world. Yes, Christianity has and still is changing the world in which we live. As you witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, one conversion at a time, change is taking place.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
ON HIS AUTHORITY
Matthew 28:18-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Great Commission
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
When you and I … the church … shares our faith, it is on the authority of the Son that we speak. Jesus Himself declared that “…all authority in heaven and on earth…” had been given to Him. So when you speak out … speak up … it is more than on the authority given by a parent, teacher, friend or pastor. You have the command … the authority of the Master standing behind you.
With that authority, can you grasp the importance of speaking Truth!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Great Commission
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
When you and I … the church … shares our faith, it is on the authority of the Son that we speak. Jesus Himself declared that “…all authority in heaven and on earth…” had been given to Him. So when you speak out … speak up … it is more than on the authority given by a parent, teacher, friend or pastor. You have the command … the authority of the Master standing behind you.
With that authority, can you grasp the importance of speaking Truth!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ELDER AND TEACHER
Titus 2:15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Promote Right Teaching
15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
To Titus, the Apostle Paul was both a teacher and the one who laid hands on him, giving Titus the position of authority as an elder.
How do you regard your pastor, elder, bishop, teacher? Do you listen to the lessons they give you or do those lessons flow in one ear and out the other? You go to church but what you were taught has no impact on your day-to-day living.
Is your pastor, elder, bishop, teacher an authority figure in your life or just an authority figure in your church? They can run the church but that has nothing to do with you personally.
Let today be an honest, check yourself day.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Promote Right Teaching
15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
To Titus, the Apostle Paul was both a teacher and the one who laid hands on him, giving Titus the position of authority as an elder.
How do you regard your pastor, elder, bishop, teacher? Do you listen to the lessons they give you or do those lessons flow in one ear and out the other? You go to church but what you were taught has no impact on your day-to-day living.
Is your pastor, elder, bishop, teacher an authority figure in your life or just an authority figure in your church? They can run the church but that has nothing to do with you personally.
Let today be an honest, check yourself day.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
POWER
Romans 8:1-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
God has empowered us, not by a set of rules and regulation, but by His Holy Spirit, to live lives which are pleasing to Him. He has set us free from the power of sin. He has set us free by giving us the gift of His Son Jesus.. We no longer have to follow the sinful nature that we are all born with. We are set free to choose to do the right thing.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
God has empowered us, not by a set of rules and regulation, but by His Holy Spirit, to live lives which are pleasing to Him. He has set us free from the power of sin. He has set us free by giving us the gift of His Son Jesus.. We no longer have to follow the sinful nature that we are all born with. We are set free to choose to do the right thing.
Monday, October 12, 2009
EMPOWERED TO WITNESS
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After three years with Jesus, the apostles were still looking for political answers. We will not find our answers in the politics of the world. The answer to what we need is only found in Jesus Christ.
We (the church) have been empowered to witness to Him. He is the foundation. When we have built effectively on His foundation through sharing Him with the world, everything (including politics) will fall into line. Only when we have shared Him with the world will Jesus return and set up His Kingdom. In His Time!
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After three years with Jesus, the apostles were still looking for political answers. We will not find our answers in the politics of the world. The answer to what we need is only found in Jesus Christ.
We (the church) have been empowered to witness to Him. He is the foundation. When we have built effectively on His foundation through sharing Him with the world, everything (including politics) will fall into line. Only when we have shared Him with the world will Jesus return and set up His Kingdom. In His Time!
Friday, October 09, 2009
WASTING YOUR BREATH
Proverbs 9:7-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;
they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.
I was asked this week about continued evangelizing to someone who rejects God’s invitation and refuses to accept the authenticity of God’s Word. It seemed that this person was someone who enjoyed the debate … just for the sake of the debate … in other words, a ‘mocker’. A person who is truly seeking truth, the right answer … God … is wise and our efforts on their behalf will bear fruit.
The wisdom writer seems to tells us that it is a waste of breath to engage the mocker.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;
they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.
I was asked this week about continued evangelizing to someone who rejects God’s invitation and refuses to accept the authenticity of God’s Word. It seemed that this person was someone who enjoyed the debate … just for the sake of the debate … in other words, a ‘mocker’. A person who is truly seeking truth, the right answer … God … is wise and our efforts on their behalf will bear fruit.
The wisdom writer seems to tells us that it is a waste of breath to engage the mocker.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
OBEDIENCE
1 Samuel 15:22-23; 35b
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Lord Rejects Saul
22 But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
… And the Lord was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel.
How tragic it would be if when the Lamb’s Book of Life is opened, you find an entry saying the Lord was sorry He ever selected you. It was Saul’s disobedience (sin) which drew this response from the Lord. Genuine confession and repentance (which Saul lacked) is the response the Lord requires.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Lord Rejects Saul
22 But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
… And the Lord was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel.
How tragic it would be if when the Lamb’s Book of Life is opened, you find an entry saying the Lord was sorry He ever selected you. It was Saul’s disobedience (sin) which drew this response from the Lord. Genuine confession and repentance (which Saul lacked) is the response the Lord requires.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
WHO AM I?
Isaiah 55:8-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
God has given us each talents which enable us to function effectively in our little worlds. Executives … lawyers … doctors … teachers … pastors … fathers … mothers … students. It is an unending list.
Who am I? Whoever I am, it is because God blessed me to be.
And whoever I am, I am so much less than the creator.
And whoever I am, I am no better than my friend … my neighbor … my co-worker … since we are all only what God has blessed us to be.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
God has given us each talents which enable us to function effectively in our little worlds. Executives … lawyers … doctors … teachers … pastors … fathers … mothers … students. It is an unending list.
Who am I? Whoever I am, it is because God blessed me to be.
And whoever I am, I am so much less than the creator.
And whoever I am, I am no better than my friend … my neighbor … my co-worker … since we are all only what God has blessed us to be.
Monday, October 05, 2009
NOT FINISHED
John 21:15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
This exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter followed a miserable personal failure in Peter’s life. Peter had abandoned his friend when Jesus needed his friendship the most.
Have you ever had the experience of a personal failure? I suspect most of us can answer that question in the affirmative.
What do we learn from this scripture? Despite our failures, recovery is available. Jesus was not finished with Peter and He is not finished with you just because you fell. Jesus seeks continuation of a love relationship with you and continuation of the work He calls you to … “feed my sheep.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
This exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter followed a miserable personal failure in Peter’s life. Peter had abandoned his friend when Jesus needed his friendship the most.
Have you ever had the experience of a personal failure? I suspect most of us can answer that question in the affirmative.
What do we learn from this scripture? Despite our failures, recovery is available. Jesus was not finished with Peter and He is not finished with you just because you fell. Jesus seeks continuation of a love relationship with you and continuation of the work He calls you to … “feed my sheep.”
Friday, October 02, 2009
THE LORD’S WILL
Joshua 9:12-15; James 4:15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Gibeonites Deceive Israel
12 “This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. 13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”
14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath….
15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
The phrase “If it’s the Lord’s will,” ought to infect our vocabulary. He has given us the freedom to make decisions but we are never free from God. We should seek Him in all the decisions of our life.
Yes, things worked out for Joshua and the Israelites. He made the best of a bad situation but missed the optimal – complete occupation of Canaan.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Gibeonites Deceive Israel
12 “This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. 13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”
14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath….
15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
The phrase “If it’s the Lord’s will,” ought to infect our vocabulary. He has given us the freedom to make decisions but we are never free from God. We should seek Him in all the decisions of our life.
Yes, things worked out for Joshua and the Israelites. He made the best of a bad situation but missed the optimal – complete occupation of Canaan.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
INFORMATION VS. WISDOM
Proverbs 1:1-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Purpose of Proverbs
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
We live in the age of computer technology, which can provide us volumes of information at the stroke of a key on a keyboard. What we do with all that information depends on the wisdom we have gained. Solomon advises that we gain wisdom, the source of which is the Lord.
It would be a good practice to read a Proverb a day. Start this practice today, the 1st of the month and you will have completed them all by the end of the month. On the 1st, read Proverbs 1 … on the 2nd read Proverbs 2 … and so on. You already have a jump start on Proverbs 1.
Each day, you will gain godly wisdom, what you need to handle the information which bombards you from every side.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Purpose of Proverbs
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
We live in the age of computer technology, which can provide us volumes of information at the stroke of a key on a keyboard. What we do with all that information depends on the wisdom we have gained. Solomon advises that we gain wisdom, the source of which is the Lord.
It would be a good practice to read a Proverb a day. Start this practice today, the 1st of the month and you will have completed them all by the end of the month. On the 1st, read Proverbs 1 … on the 2nd read Proverbs 2 … and so on. You already have a jump start on Proverbs 1.
Each day, you will gain godly wisdom, what you need to handle the information which bombards you from every side.
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