1 Chronicles 12:32
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Warriors Join David’s Army
32 From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
There are two essential components of effective decision making: awareness and decisiveness. The men from Issachar knew what was going on and they knew what needed to be done.
Proverbs teaches the value of wise counsel (12:15, 13:10, 15:22, 19:20, 24:6). It also teaches us that wise counsel is not the bottom line. It is critical that we submit our plans and desires to the Lord (16:1, 16:3, 16:9, 19:21).
Spend some time reading these Proverbs and ponder what degree you seek wise counsel from others and what degree you seek the wise counsel of the Lord.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
PRAYING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Genesis 18:20-22; 32-33
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
20 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. 21 I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
22 The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. …
32 Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
33 When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.
The full context of this passage is Genesis 18:16-33.
Do you ever wonder if your prayers change anything? Is your prayer time just an exercise or in heaven, does it really make a difference? This exchange between the Lord and Abraham tells me that our prayers can impact the plan of God. Yes, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, as the Lord planned, but Abraham’s prayer and ten righteous people would have resulted in a very different outcome.
Where do you need God to change things in your life? Pray about it!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
20 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. 21 I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
22 The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. …
32 Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
33 When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.
The full context of this passage is Genesis 18:16-33.
Do you ever wonder if your prayers change anything? Is your prayer time just an exercise or in heaven, does it really make a difference? This exchange between the Lord and Abraham tells me that our prayers can impact the plan of God. Yes, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, as the Lord planned, but Abraham’s prayer and ten righteous people would have resulted in a very different outcome.
Where do you need God to change things in your life? Pray about it!
Monday, September 28, 2009
BROKENNESS
Nehemiah 1:3-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem
3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
When you are confronted with brokenness in the lives of those around you, what is your response? When you see the homeless, do you turn away? When you see the hungry or thirsty, do you ignore their situation? When you encounter the sick (physical or spiritual), do you cross to the other side of the street (move to the other side of town) to avoid contact?
That wasn’t Nehemiah’s response. He wept … he mourned … he fasted … he sought direction from the God of heaven.
What would the God of heaven have you to do? What would he say about your response?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem
3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
When you are confronted with brokenness in the lives of those around you, what is your response? When you see the homeless, do you turn away? When you see the hungry or thirsty, do you ignore their situation? When you encounter the sick (physical or spiritual), do you cross to the other side of the street (move to the other side of town) to avoid contact?
That wasn’t Nehemiah’s response. He wept … he mourned … he fasted … he sought direction from the God of heaven.
What would the God of heaven have you to do? What would he say about your response?
Friday, September 25, 2009
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Matthew 5:43-45
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
In a sermon preached in 1957 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., based on this passage and the subject ‘Loving Your Enemy’, he suggested three ways we might resolve conflicts. 1.) Forgive. 2.) Everyone has good and bad qualities. Any wrong they have done does not represent the total person. Find the good and focus on it. 3.) Seek to win a friend, not to humiliate an opponent.
Proverbs 19:20 say, “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” This sounds like wise counsel to me.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
In a sermon preached in 1957 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., based on this passage and the subject ‘Loving Your Enemy’, he suggested three ways we might resolve conflicts. 1.) Forgive. 2.) Everyone has good and bad qualities. Any wrong they have done does not represent the total person. Find the good and focus on it. 3.) Seek to win a friend, not to humiliate an opponent.
Proverbs 19:20 say, “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” This sounds like wise counsel to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
