Devotional June 14: Remember The Lord your God in times of abundance. For it is him who provides not us.
"Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his
commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you
today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good
houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and
your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is
multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your
God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
slavery, Beware lest you say in your heart, "My power and the might of
my hand have gotten me this wealth." You shall remember the Lord your
God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may
confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
(Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 17, 18 ESV)
This is a good reminder especially for us in the U.S. I know even in
my work as a minister I am so tempted to become prideful. Even in
doing God's work I can get discouraged or caught up in what I can and
can't do. I get overwhelmed and often get angry at God because I
foolishly think I am the one working and God isn't. Yet the reality is
God is the only worker and if he was not working nothing would happen.
Instead it is gracious of God to invite me into his work that I can
partner with him and see his power up close and personally.
Beyond that I think there are a few big things we often look to hoping
to find joy and fulfillment outside of The Lord. Work, wealth,
contentment, relationships. And yet we so quickly forget all things
are a gift from God and none of them last. At any moment we could lose
them. And we will certainly lose them because we will all die.
Lord in all things I pray I remember you and in humility you are the
creator and provider and worker in all things. I pray my heart would
turn to gratitude to the Lord instead of pride. Thank you Lord for all
the small things and life and your provision and most of all your Son
Jesus who died for us that we could be reconciled to God and receive
eternity and a heavenly home with you Lord!
Amen
Friday, June 14, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
1 Tim 2 Pray!
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:1-6 ESV)
(1 Timothy 2:1-6 ESV)
1 Timothy 1 thoughts
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5 ESV)
It is loving to rebuke false teachers
Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. (1 Timothy 1:6, 7 ESV)
Without centering on love through pure heart and good conscience simple sincere faith we cannot understand law or theology or deep mysteries and things of faith.
When I get lost in obligation I can't understand other things about God. I can't fundraise and I can't lead students into faith by the Spirit. God can but it is silly I try to just keep going when I am going without God in me as fully
the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. (1 Timothy 1:10, 11 ESV)
Sound doctrine is in line with gospel
Gospel is the glory of God
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 ESV)
This comes right after a whole section on all the amazing things Christ has done
Christ is the glory of God
Amen
It is loving to rebuke false teachers
Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. (1 Timothy 1:6, 7 ESV)
Without centering on love through pure heart and good conscience simple sincere faith we cannot understand law or theology or deep mysteries and things of faith.
When I get lost in obligation I can't understand other things about God. I can't fundraise and I can't lead students into faith by the Spirit. God can but it is silly I try to just keep going when I am going without God in me as fully
the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. (1 Timothy 1:10, 11 ESV)
Sound doctrine is in line with gospel
Gospel is the glory of God
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 ESV)
This comes right after a whole section on all the amazing things Christ has done
Christ is the glory of God
Amen
God will wipe away our tears
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day,
"Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." (Isaiah 25:6-9 ESV)
And again this is promised in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
(Revelation 7:17 ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV)
People often question God and Christianity around this concern of suffering. Really the answer we want is that God will take away our suffering now, which he doesn't always or even often do. The ultimate answer from these scriptures of suffering is that in this life we suffer but in the life to come there will be no suffering and we will be healed as God himself takes the pain of our suffering in this life.
We may still ask why there is suffering and most answers are not satisfying. Sometimes Christians say it is all because of sin and most of it probably is. But I think my answer is we don't know or understand. Like Job found out the hard way God is who he is and he does what he has planned. And we don't always like the plan and that pain God let's us go through.
So he question is:
Do you believe God is good?
If yes then:
Do you trust God to know better than you what is truly good?
I admit I haven't experienced much suffering in my life. Sometimes it makes me mad and sad or try to work harder because it is so unfair.
Yet I think the example in the bible of what to do in suffering is to walk with Jesus in the suffering. Jesus became human and suffered with us. I think if how Jesus suffered as his friend Lazarus died. Jesus knew he could and would raise Lazarus from the dead and yet he mourned. Jesus knew the plan of God through the cross and yet asked that the cup of the wrath of God might be passed from him. Jesus knows suffering.
And that is far more beautiful:
Jesus the Son of God - the Word
Suffered alongside us and suffered for us.
In that I hope!
Because Jesus was also raised up and is seated at the right hand of the father in heaven our future home where he will wipe away every tear.
Praise be to God
Amen
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day,
"Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." (Isaiah 25:6-9 ESV)
And again this is promised in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
(Revelation 7:17 ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV)
People often question God and Christianity around this concern of suffering. Really the answer we want is that God will take away our suffering now, which he doesn't always or even often do. The ultimate answer from these scriptures of suffering is that in this life we suffer but in the life to come there will be no suffering and we will be healed as God himself takes the pain of our suffering in this life.
We may still ask why there is suffering and most answers are not satisfying. Sometimes Christians say it is all because of sin and most of it probably is. But I think my answer is we don't know or understand. Like Job found out the hard way God is who he is and he does what he has planned. And we don't always like the plan and that pain God let's us go through.
So he question is:
Do you believe God is good?
If yes then:
Do you trust God to know better than you what is truly good?
I admit I haven't experienced much suffering in my life. Sometimes it makes me mad and sad or try to work harder because it is so unfair.
Yet I think the example in the bible of what to do in suffering is to walk with Jesus in the suffering. Jesus became human and suffered with us. I think if how Jesus suffered as his friend Lazarus died. Jesus knew he could and would raise Lazarus from the dead and yet he mourned. Jesus knew the plan of God through the cross and yet asked that the cup of the wrath of God might be passed from him. Jesus knows suffering.
And that is far more beautiful:
Jesus the Son of God - the Word
Suffered alongside us and suffered for us.
In that I hope!
Because Jesus was also raised up and is seated at the right hand of the father in heaven our future home where he will wipe away every tear.
Praise be to God
Amen
Lord strengthen me in compassion today!
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 NIV)
As I travel for the 4th day in the last 5 I pray for patience and kindness and compassion and forgiveness to fill me. Not of my strength but of Christ who strengthens me!
Lord help me to be a light for you and your gospel with my friends, girlfriend, parents, airport officials etc.
Thank you Jesus for your great example of servant heart and immense patience!
Amen
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Let the Word be on our heart and lips!
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7 NIV)
I love this picture of the Word of God just being filling and overflowing in our lives and hearts! Lord I am sorry that I make it a chore and obligation without joy sometimes to study your Word and to share your gospel. God I pray you change my heart to love your Word and love sharing your Word!
Amen
I love this picture of the Word of God just being filling and overflowing in our lives and hearts! Lord I am sorry that I make it a chore and obligation without joy sometimes to study your Word and to share your gospel. God I pray you change my heart to love your Word and love sharing your Word!
Amen
Monday, June 3, 2013
Psalm 40: Wait patiently for The Lord
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly. But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
"The Lord is great!" But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.
(Psalm 40:1-4, 9, 10, 16, 17 NIV)
I read this Psalm last week and just loved it! It is a very powerful message of trusting in The Lord. I think patience for God's timing is perhaps the hardest part of trusting in The Lord. For we live a hectic lifestyle day in and day out. We are constantly on the go and in contact over several different media. And we pray and expect God to be the same. But I think God wants us to realize our hectic lifestyle won't save us.
We can't do enough things or know enough people to be happy or to accomplish enough. God is our only hope and he has already done enough. We don't have to earn it. I think it mush healthier to first center on The Lord and patiently wait for him working and resting hard but letting life go by without worry or being frantic.
I really struggle with trying to do too much, but I think I miss out on so much and don't find any more fulfillment or joy. It is a hard balance to be faithful in doing Gods work but also not finding value or worth in the work.
God I want as David wrote to rejoice and be glad in you. Not your creation or the opportunities or relationships you have given me. I want to rejoice in you and rejoice in you through all that you have given me.
Lord keep me humble to remember I am weak and needy and completely dependent on you. I am tempted to pride and self reliance, but God I want to remember you are the creator and provider.
Lord I want to set my foundation on you in the chaos and rejoice and praise you anew everyday walking in this life to do your work setting my hope on you and eternity with you!
Amen
he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly. But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
"The Lord is great!" But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.
(Psalm 40:1-4, 9, 10, 16, 17 NIV)
I read this Psalm last week and just loved it! It is a very powerful message of trusting in The Lord. I think patience for God's timing is perhaps the hardest part of trusting in The Lord. For we live a hectic lifestyle day in and day out. We are constantly on the go and in contact over several different media. And we pray and expect God to be the same. But I think God wants us to realize our hectic lifestyle won't save us.
We can't do enough things or know enough people to be happy or to accomplish enough. God is our only hope and he has already done enough. We don't have to earn it. I think it mush healthier to first center on The Lord and patiently wait for him working and resting hard but letting life go by without worry or being frantic.
I really struggle with trying to do too much, but I think I miss out on so much and don't find any more fulfillment or joy. It is a hard balance to be faithful in doing Gods work but also not finding value or worth in the work.
God I want as David wrote to rejoice and be glad in you. Not your creation or the opportunities or relationships you have given me. I want to rejoice in you and rejoice in you through all that you have given me.
Lord keep me humble to remember I am weak and needy and completely dependent on you. I am tempted to pride and self reliance, but God I want to remember you are the creator and provider.
Lord I want to set my foundation on you in the chaos and rejoice and praise you anew everyday walking in this life to do your work setting my hope on you and eternity with you!
Amen
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