Today's reading: I Kings 13, 14, 15; Psalm 14, 44, 74, 104, 134; Proverbs 14
I Kings 13:4-6, "And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before."
I have a friend that gives an account that when he was a young Christian that the place he worked had a very antagonistic person working there. He tells how the man would speak badly against Christ and Christianity. He was so hostile toward the Lord and anything Christian that the man would nearly pick a fight with my friend. One day my friend came to the breaking point and could no longer stand the taunts, jeers and personal attacks by the giant of a man. He said that the man dared him to prove the Bible to be true. My friend reached up and grabbed the man by the nose and twisted or "wrung" the man's nose until it began to bleed. My friend then quoted Proverbs 30:33, "Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife."
This man not only stopped harassing my friend; but, became pretty close. I believe that he said that he did not know if the man ever trusted Christ as his Saviour; but, he heard from my friend how to be saved.
Just like this wicked king in our passage, others around us who know we are a Christian will ask us to pray for them. This king had an urgent need. His hand was withered and he could not use it. He needed a miracle and he asked the man of God to pray for his healing.
If someone asked you to pray for an important need in their life would you be able to get to God on their behalf? I hope so.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
April 13, 2010
Today's reading: I Kings 10, 11, 12; Psalm 13, 43, 73, 103, 133; Proverbs 13
I Kings 10:1, "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions."
I remember several years ago at the Church we were attending at the time the Pastor started a men's group called "Iron Man". I loved it so much. It was a group of men that would keep one another accountable. We met monthly as an entire group. The bigger group was divided up into smaller groups of 4 or 6. These groups would meet every week. We had a group of about six (6) questions that we would ask one another to determine how we were doing each week. I liked it because I did not want to disappoint the Lord or anyone else by not doing my daily Bible reading or having daily prayer time. There were other important things that were in the accountability questions also.
I remember one man in the Church that I wanted to join the group because I really liked him; but, he refused. He told me that he made a vow to God as a younger man and it was all he could do to keep those vows and he did not want to make more that he would have to keep. This was not his exact words; but, I understood what he was saying.
I loved to go into the meetings and be able to say that I had read my Bible everyday and prayed everyday. It was such a satisfying feeling. Some of the other questions were not as easy to answer because I had usually failed them and I did not want to admit that I had failed. Such is life I guess.
So, if I asked you the hard questions today could you answer them? I hope so.
I Kings 10:1, "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions."
I remember several years ago at the Church we were attending at the time the Pastor started a men's group called "Iron Man". I loved it so much. It was a group of men that would keep one another accountable. We met monthly as an entire group. The bigger group was divided up into smaller groups of 4 or 6. These groups would meet every week. We had a group of about six (6) questions that we would ask one another to determine how we were doing each week. I liked it because I did not want to disappoint the Lord or anyone else by not doing my daily Bible reading or having daily prayer time. There were other important things that were in the accountability questions also.
I remember one man in the Church that I wanted to join the group because I really liked him; but, he refused. He told me that he made a vow to God as a younger man and it was all he could do to keep those vows and he did not want to make more that he would have to keep. This was not his exact words; but, I understood what he was saying.
I loved to go into the meetings and be able to say that I had read my Bible everyday and prayed everyday. It was such a satisfying feeling. Some of the other questions were not as easy to answer because I had usually failed them and I did not want to admit that I had failed. Such is life I guess.
So, if I asked you the hard questions today could you answer them? I hope so.
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
Today's reading: I Kings 7, 8, 9; Psalm 12, 42, 72, 102, 132; Proverbs 12
I Kings 7:13-14, "And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work."
I liked our verses for today. Hiram was recognized by Solomon not only because of who he was but because of his ability to work in brass. Today so many people are promoted and such because of who they know and not what they are able to do. It does not matter if you are qualified for the job if you know someone high up enough in the company. This is frustrating.
I tried to get a job recently at a local pizza shop and was turned down because I was "overqualified". I guess it is better to be less qualified? Such is life.
How about ministry? I hope you have found your niche in the ministry of the Lord. I hope you are serving Him to your fullest capacity. I enjoyed teaching the teen Sunday School class last week and I get the opportunity to do the same again this week. (Last week was to check me out I think.)
You are never more safe than in the middle of God's will for your life. Now, it us up to you and I to pray, read and seek God to know what His will is for our lives. I hope you will do that. It is the most fantastic place in the world. You have God's word on it.
How are you doing?
I Kings 7:13-14, "And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work."
I liked our verses for today. Hiram was recognized by Solomon not only because of who he was but because of his ability to work in brass. Today so many people are promoted and such because of who they know and not what they are able to do. It does not matter if you are qualified for the job if you know someone high up enough in the company. This is frustrating.
I tried to get a job recently at a local pizza shop and was turned down because I was "overqualified". I guess it is better to be less qualified? Such is life.
How about ministry? I hope you have found your niche in the ministry of the Lord. I hope you are serving Him to your fullest capacity. I enjoyed teaching the teen Sunday School class last week and I get the opportunity to do the same again this week. (Last week was to check me out I think.)
You are never more safe than in the middle of God's will for your life. Now, it us up to you and I to pray, read and seek God to know what His will is for our lives. I hope you will do that. It is the most fantastic place in the world. You have God's word on it.
How are you doing?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 11, 2010
Today's reading: I Kings 4, 5, 6; Psalm 11, 41, 71, 101, 131; Proverbs 11
I Kings 5:5, "And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name."
If you could do anything at all and you could not fail at it, what would it be? Hudson Taylor said, "Attempt great thing for God. Expect great things from God." Such wisdom! Hudson Taylor was one of the greatest modern day missionaries. He won so many in China because of his philosophy. It is correct because it is in line with the teaching of the Bible.
If you remember king David wanted to build God's house and God forbid him because he was a man of blood. He did promise him that his son Solomon would build it. Solomon's temple is a fantastic sight I am told. What a huge task to undertake. I don't think I could do it.
You see it has not been put in my heart to build it. There are things that I desire to do for God. If I do not get motivated and do them I will one day look back and my life will be gone and all I will have is, "I was going to...". How sad.
Again I ask, If you could do anything for God and know you could not fail, what would it be? Have you started yet?
I Kings 5:5, "And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name."
If you could do anything at all and you could not fail at it, what would it be? Hudson Taylor said, "Attempt great thing for God. Expect great things from God." Such wisdom! Hudson Taylor was one of the greatest modern day missionaries. He won so many in China because of his philosophy. It is correct because it is in line with the teaching of the Bible.
If you remember king David wanted to build God's house and God forbid him because he was a man of blood. He did promise him that his son Solomon would build it. Solomon's temple is a fantastic sight I am told. What a huge task to undertake. I don't think I could do it.
You see it has not been put in my heart to build it. There are things that I desire to do for God. If I do not get motivated and do them I will one day look back and my life will be gone and all I will have is, "I was going to...". How sad.
Again I ask, If you could do anything for God and know you could not fail, what would it be? Have you started yet?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
April 10, 2010
Today's reading: I Kings 1, 2, 3; Psalm 10, 40, 70, 100, 130; Proverbs 10
I Kings 1:1-2, "Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat."
Tomorrow morning I will teach the teen Sunday School class. I am so excited for the opportunity! I was glad to come across this verse today as I was reading. Daily Bible reading is so important as God speaks through His Word. I will use this verse as I talk to them about different things. One thing I will mention is proper relationships with members of the opposite sex. This is needed today desperately! Just look around and you can see that.
May I add that it is not only for the teenagers; but, for the adults. I know that the teens in our Church are a great bunch of young people. A large portion of them are the Pastor's children; but, they too need to be reminded of how to have a proper relationship with the opposite sex.
Notice that the young virgin was only to help the king get heat. She was there to serve the king in what capacity she could serve him. This was to simply lay in bed and allow the heat that her body produced naturally warm the king who could no longer produce enough heat of his own.
What is the product of the relationships that you and I enjoy each day? Is it godly? I hope so. Men we need to be careful at how we show attention to the fairer sex. Ladies we need to be careful how we speak to and dress around the other sex. We need to protect one another from falling to temptation. We owe it to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
How are your relationships?
I Kings 1:1-2, "Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat."
Tomorrow morning I will teach the teen Sunday School class. I am so excited for the opportunity! I was glad to come across this verse today as I was reading. Daily Bible reading is so important as God speaks through His Word. I will use this verse as I talk to them about different things. One thing I will mention is proper relationships with members of the opposite sex. This is needed today desperately! Just look around and you can see that.
May I add that it is not only for the teenagers; but, for the adults. I know that the teens in our Church are a great bunch of young people. A large portion of them are the Pastor's children; but, they too need to be reminded of how to have a proper relationship with the opposite sex.
Notice that the young virgin was only to help the king get heat. She was there to serve the king in what capacity she could serve him. This was to simply lay in bed and allow the heat that her body produced naturally warm the king who could no longer produce enough heat of his own.
What is the product of the relationships that you and I enjoy each day? Is it godly? I hope so. Men we need to be careful at how we show attention to the fairer sex. Ladies we need to be careful how we speak to and dress around the other sex. We need to protect one another from falling to temptation. We owe it to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
How are your relationships?
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 22, 23, 24; Psalm 9, 39, 69, 99, 129; Proverbs 9
II Samuel 24:24, "And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Today I went and visited a neighbor to get some advice on fishing line. I know that he fishes in tournaments and I figured that he would have a great amount of experience to draw from. While I was there he offered me great advice and I appreciated it so very much. He also gave me a brand new tackle box and put a lot of spinner baits, crank baits and plastic worms. Wow! I was humbled at his gift. Words were not adequate to say, "Thank you!" You see all of this great equipment (it is far better than just "stuff") was a gift. It was free. It cost me absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus! All that my neighbor asked me is that when I catch a really good fish with my new equipment that I take a picture and send it to him. I can do that. Now all I need is for someone to call me and invite me to go fishing.
In our passage of Scripture today we see that David wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord to stop the judgment that was upon them. He came to the place where he wanted to offer the sacrifice; but, it belonged to someone else. The owner; a man named Araunah owned the property. When he heard that the king wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord he offered to give the king everything he needed to make the offering. What a giving man. I love the words of David, "neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing."
How often do you and I just give to God our leftovers? If we do it at all we do it far too often. I know that I am guilty of giving God seconds. Lord, forgive me for giving to you anything less than my very best.
What are you giving to God?
II Samuel 24:24, "And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Today I went and visited a neighbor to get some advice on fishing line. I know that he fishes in tournaments and I figured that he would have a great amount of experience to draw from. While I was there he offered me great advice and I appreciated it so very much. He also gave me a brand new tackle box and put a lot of spinner baits, crank baits and plastic worms. Wow! I was humbled at his gift. Words were not adequate to say, "Thank you!" You see all of this great equipment (it is far better than just "stuff") was a gift. It was free. It cost me absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus! All that my neighbor asked me is that when I catch a really good fish with my new equipment that I take a picture and send it to him. I can do that. Now all I need is for someone to call me and invite me to go fishing.
In our passage of Scripture today we see that David wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord to stop the judgment that was upon them. He came to the place where he wanted to offer the sacrifice; but, it belonged to someone else. The owner; a man named Araunah owned the property. When he heard that the king wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord he offered to give the king everything he needed to make the offering. What a giving man. I love the words of David, "neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing."
How often do you and I just give to God our leftovers? If we do it at all we do it far too often. I know that I am guilty of giving God seconds. Lord, forgive me for giving to you anything less than my very best.
What are you giving to God?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April 8, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 19, 20, 21; Psalm 8, 38, 68, 98, 128; Proverbs 8
II Samuel 21:8-9, "But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest."
I was caught by the phrase, "and they fell all seven together". Last week I went to the city and participated in some training for firemen. It was awesome to say the least. One group of men went into the training house to put out the fire that had been set for them. They worked together as one. Then one of the men began to run out of air. At this time they began to get out of the house. The problem was that they left their captain behind. Three men went in and only two came out. When one of the instructors saw the two leave the captain he took the captain by the shoulder and told him to set tight (his air was not running out) and wait for them to come get him when they figured out he was not with them. When they came out of the house they received a stern chewing out from the instructors outside and rightly so.
When you work as a team you have to stay together. I love the saying that became so popular after September 11, 2001: "Everyone goes home." This is how we must operate as a team. Remember there is no "I" in team. If someone on your team is hurting then the whole team needs to go to that member and see what needs to be done to heal or help them.
In the realm of the Church and Christianity it should be the same way. Far too often we tend to "shoot the wounded" so to speak. This ought not to be.
Remember, "Everyone goes home". We also must be like the Marines, "Semper Fi".
How are you doing?
II Samuel 21:8-9, "But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest."
I was caught by the phrase, "and they fell all seven together". Last week I went to the city and participated in some training for firemen. It was awesome to say the least. One group of men went into the training house to put out the fire that had been set for them. They worked together as one. Then one of the men began to run out of air. At this time they began to get out of the house. The problem was that they left their captain behind. Three men went in and only two came out. When one of the instructors saw the two leave the captain he took the captain by the shoulder and told him to set tight (his air was not running out) and wait for them to come get him when they figured out he was not with them. When they came out of the house they received a stern chewing out from the instructors outside and rightly so.
When you work as a team you have to stay together. I love the saying that became so popular after September 11, 2001: "Everyone goes home." This is how we must operate as a team. Remember there is no "I" in team. If someone on your team is hurting then the whole team needs to go to that member and see what needs to be done to heal or help them.
In the realm of the Church and Christianity it should be the same way. Far too often we tend to "shoot the wounded" so to speak. This ought not to be.
Remember, "Everyone goes home". We also must be like the Marines, "Semper Fi".
How are you doing?
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