Today's reading: II Chronicles 15, 16, 17; Psalm 10, 40, 70, 100, 130; Proverbs 10
Psalm 40:8, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
There are a few things in my life that I like to do. I like to go fishing. I like to go and take pictures of landscapes. I really enjoy sitting by a creek that is running over rocks so that I can listen to the sounds it makes. This is so very relaxing to me. These are just a few thing I delight in doing. They bring me pleasure.
How about you? What do you do that bring you happiness or joy? There is a difference you know. Happiness has to do with your reaction to your circumstances. Joy is your state of being in spite of your circumstances. Think about that one for a moment. Yes, I know.
What do you delight to do? Spending time with my wife and son in Michigan at any of our favorite lighthouses brings me great delight. How about God's will? Do you delight to do God's will? I hope so. Do you know what God's will is for your life? So many people just go from circumstance to circumstance with no care for what God's will is for their lives. This is so sad because they could be so fulfilled if they would seek out and do the will of God.
So, what do you delight in?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
May 9, 2010
Today's reading; II Chronicles 12, 13, 14; Psalm 9, 39, 69, 99, 129; Proverbs 9
II Chronicles 12:14, "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD."
I remember a number of years ago while in school I had a particular test on a given day. I remember feeling like I was too busy to study. What a joke! I decided that I would not give attention to the material that was covered in the test. The result was nearly disastrous. It should have been because of my lack of study. Thankfully it was not.
Why would someone spend money to attend school and then not study for the tests? Laziness would be my guess. Lack of caring would be another. There are several reasons why someone would not study for an upcoming test.
I did bad on the test because I did not take time to prepare for the test. I failed miserably to meet the requirements of this test. I received what I deserved. In our Scripture passage king Rehoboam did contrary to the will of the Lord because "... he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD."
Look at the difference in king Asa in II Chronicles 14:11, "And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." Here is a man that is totally dependent upon God and he was telling God this.
I wonder how things would turn out differently if you and I would prepare before we went to Church each week. I wonder how different it would be if you and I spent time every day in prayer and Bible study first thing in the morning before going out the door. I have a sneaking suspicion that things would be a lot different.
Don't be like those of Psalm 9:17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
What preparation have you made?
II Chronicles 12:14, "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD."
I remember a number of years ago while in school I had a particular test on a given day. I remember feeling like I was too busy to study. What a joke! I decided that I would not give attention to the material that was covered in the test. The result was nearly disastrous. It should have been because of my lack of study. Thankfully it was not.
Why would someone spend money to attend school and then not study for the tests? Laziness would be my guess. Lack of caring would be another. There are several reasons why someone would not study for an upcoming test.
I did bad on the test because I did not take time to prepare for the test. I failed miserably to meet the requirements of this test. I received what I deserved. In our Scripture passage king Rehoboam did contrary to the will of the Lord because "... he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD."
Look at the difference in king Asa in II Chronicles 14:11, "And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." Here is a man that is totally dependent upon God and he was telling God this.
I wonder how things would turn out differently if you and I would prepare before we went to Church each week. I wonder how different it would be if you and I spent time every day in prayer and Bible study first thing in the morning before going out the door. I have a sneaking suspicion that things would be a lot different.
Don't be like those of Psalm 9:17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
What preparation have you made?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
May 8, 2010
Today's reading: II Chronicles 9, 10, 11; Psalm 8, 38, 68, 98, 128; Proverbs 8
II Chronicles 9:1, "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart."
Several years ago I had the pleasure of being a reserve deputy town marshal in our fair town. I really enjoyed it. The man who was my field training officer was a real character to work with. You never knew what he was going to do. There were many times he would lock the windows and doors so that I could not get out.
I can remember many conversations that turned from the work at hand to many other topics. This guy knew that I was a Christian and we would often have serious conversations about the Lord and the Word of God. He knew that the Bible was very important to me. I was thankful that he never became antagonistic. We would drive and talk for hours. The one thing that brings me the most heartbreak is that I do not have any confidence that he truly knew Christ as his Saviour. How tragic. I tried my best to show him from the Scriptures how to be saved; but, he refused.
I look back and now I see what was going on in the car on those long nights. Just like the Queen of Sheba in our passage today he was proving me. This phrase, "she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem," is what caught my attention. I thought of those nights and conversations. For each of us who know Christ as our Saviour need to be ready to give answers because you never know when you might be able to show someone how to be saved.
Have you been proved lately?
II Chronicles 9:1, "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart."
Several years ago I had the pleasure of being a reserve deputy town marshal in our fair town. I really enjoyed it. The man who was my field training officer was a real character to work with. You never knew what he was going to do. There were many times he would lock the windows and doors so that I could not get out.
I can remember many conversations that turned from the work at hand to many other topics. This guy knew that I was a Christian and we would often have serious conversations about the Lord and the Word of God. He knew that the Bible was very important to me. I was thankful that he never became antagonistic. We would drive and talk for hours. The one thing that brings me the most heartbreak is that I do not have any confidence that he truly knew Christ as his Saviour. How tragic. I tried my best to show him from the Scriptures how to be saved; but, he refused.
I look back and now I see what was going on in the car on those long nights. Just like the Queen of Sheba in our passage today he was proving me. This phrase, "she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem," is what caught my attention. I thought of those nights and conversations. For each of us who know Christ as our Saviour need to be ready to give answers because you never know when you might be able to show someone how to be saved.
Have you been proved lately?
Friday, May 7, 2010
May 7, 2010
Today's reading: II Chronicles 6, 7, 8; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 97, 127; Proverbs 7
II Chronicles 6:30, "Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)"
I am always encouraged as I read through these passages each year. "Why?" you might be asking would I be encouraged year after year by these passages. I am always encouraged by these passages because God hears the prayers of king Solomon and answers them. We experienced some answers to prayer this week and it was awesome.
Our Church had a revival meeting and it was wonderful. We prayed that people would be saved and that Christians would be encouraged in their faith. The great thing is that God heard and answered those prayers. It was a wonderful week. Teenagers made valuable decisions for the Lord. Adults made valuable decisions for the Lord. The best part was on Wednesday evening after the service I had the opportunity to show a forty-one (41) year old man how to be saved.
The awesome fact that God heard this man's prayer and answered it. He asked God to forgive him of his sin and to be his Lord and Saviour. God heard and answered that prayer. Praise God! On Thursday night this man came to me and told me that things were different for him. He told me that he even "felt" better. God is good! All the time!
When we pray we need to expect God to do things. Look at II Chronicles 7:1, "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." When Solomon finished praying God answered by fire. He does not always answer in such a manifested manner. However, sometimes He does.
Imagine what it would be like if we as God's children prayed and meant II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." I believe that revival would break out all over the land.
So, how is your prayer life?
II Chronicles 6:30, "Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)"
I am always encouraged as I read through these passages each year. "Why?" you might be asking would I be encouraged year after year by these passages. I am always encouraged by these passages because God hears the prayers of king Solomon and answers them. We experienced some answers to prayer this week and it was awesome.
Our Church had a revival meeting and it was wonderful. We prayed that people would be saved and that Christians would be encouraged in their faith. The great thing is that God heard and answered those prayers. It was a wonderful week. Teenagers made valuable decisions for the Lord. Adults made valuable decisions for the Lord. The best part was on Wednesday evening after the service I had the opportunity to show a forty-one (41) year old man how to be saved.
The awesome fact that God heard this man's prayer and answered it. He asked God to forgive him of his sin and to be his Lord and Saviour. God heard and answered that prayer. Praise God! On Thursday night this man came to me and told me that things were different for him. He told me that he even "felt" better. God is good! All the time!
When we pray we need to expect God to do things. Look at II Chronicles 7:1, "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." When Solomon finished praying God answered by fire. He does not always answer in such a manifested manner. However, sometimes He does.
Imagine what it would be like if we as God's children prayed and meant II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." I believe that revival would break out all over the land.
So, how is your prayer life?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 6, 2010
Today's reading: II Chronicles 3, 4, 5; Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, 126; Proverbs 6
II Chronicles 3:7, "He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls."
As I was reading this passage today I was drawn to some memories of growing up. I remember one year at VBS (vacation Bible school) that I had the opportunity to play a part in a skit that took place every evening before young people were dismissed to their classes. I remember covering an old pair of glasses with white shoe polish and leaving a small spot that I could barely see out of on the lenses. My character was to be somewhat clumsy. This was easily accomplished because I could not really see. It was so much fun.
I remember another year that we had a Halloween alternative party and I dressed up as a clown. Yes, I had the big red nose and wig going on. It was pretty special. I enjoyed that very much. I remember last year finding a picture of me dressed up like that. Then I found a picture of my daughter; now (23) twenty three years old dressed up as a clown. She was a chip off the old block. I was so proud.
You are probably asking why the trip down memory lane today? Well, it is simple really. As I was reading our Scripture passage for today and it told about how, "He overlaid also the house," I thought about how we sometimes put up a facade when we are around other people. Our home Church is having a revival meeting this week and last night was "Teen Night". The Evangelist brought out that we often live behind these facades and it got me to thinking this morning.
We need to give up being "overlaid" with whatever we are covering up with. We need to be transparent before God and let Him work in our lives. If you do this you will not regret it. I promise. There were many that responded to the invitation to trust Christ as their Saviour and others responded to the invitation to get their lives right with the Lord. It was fantastic.
The greatest moment for me came after the service. I was standing in the fellowship area of the building and our Pastor came out of the sanctuary with a gentleman following behind him. They came to me and the Pastor asked me to take this man into the Church office and show him how to know for sure that he would go to heaven when he died. I was told he had done it before but was just not sure.
I showed him I John 5:13 that told him that he could know for sure and he did not have to doubt or wonder. Then we started the walk down the "Romans Road". After much explaining Robert bowed his head and asked Jesus to forgive him of his sin and to be his Lord and Saviour. Praise God! What a privilege and "Oh What A Saviour"!
Do you know Him today as your Lord and Saviour? I hope so.
II Chronicles 3:7, "He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls."
As I was reading this passage today I was drawn to some memories of growing up. I remember one year at VBS (vacation Bible school) that I had the opportunity to play a part in a skit that took place every evening before young people were dismissed to their classes. I remember covering an old pair of glasses with white shoe polish and leaving a small spot that I could barely see out of on the lenses. My character was to be somewhat clumsy. This was easily accomplished because I could not really see. It was so much fun.
I remember another year that we had a Halloween alternative party and I dressed up as a clown. Yes, I had the big red nose and wig going on. It was pretty special. I enjoyed that very much. I remember last year finding a picture of me dressed up like that. Then I found a picture of my daughter; now (23) twenty three years old dressed up as a clown. She was a chip off the old block. I was so proud.
You are probably asking why the trip down memory lane today? Well, it is simple really. As I was reading our Scripture passage for today and it told about how, "He overlaid also the house," I thought about how we sometimes put up a facade when we are around other people. Our home Church is having a revival meeting this week and last night was "Teen Night". The Evangelist brought out that we often live behind these facades and it got me to thinking this morning.
We need to give up being "overlaid" with whatever we are covering up with. We need to be transparent before God and let Him work in our lives. If you do this you will not regret it. I promise. There were many that responded to the invitation to trust Christ as their Saviour and others responded to the invitation to get their lives right with the Lord. It was fantastic.
The greatest moment for me came after the service. I was standing in the fellowship area of the building and our Pastor came out of the sanctuary with a gentleman following behind him. They came to me and the Pastor asked me to take this man into the Church office and show him how to know for sure that he would go to heaven when he died. I was told he had done it before but was just not sure.
I showed him I John 5:13 that told him that he could know for sure and he did not have to doubt or wonder. Then we started the walk down the "Romans Road". After much explaining Robert bowed his head and asked Jesus to forgive him of his sin and to be his Lord and Saviour. Praise God! What a privilege and "Oh What A Saviour"!
Do you know Him today as your Lord and Saviour? I hope so.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5, 2010
Today's reading: I Chronicles 29; II Chronicles 1, 2; Psalm 5, 35, 65, 95, 125; Proverbs 5
I Chronicles 29:10-15, "Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding."
I hate to admit it; but, it is true. We have lost our ability to worship today. What men call worship is far from what God intended it to be. Far too many of us worship the national sports hero or we worship our automobile. Some of us even worship ourselves. This is a dangerous practice. We need to worship God and God alone!
I think a part of our problem today is that we cannot control God; but, we try to make Him someone or something we can manipulate. This is wrong! We have been put here to worship God.
Look at Revelation 4:11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." There you go. This is why we were created and why we exist. We are here for God's pleasure and we are to honor and glorify Him.
The word worship means to ascribe worth to someone or something. Wow! I had not thought about that. That definition is so accurate. Everything we do in life should bring honor and glory to God. It is not about us. It is all about Him.
One of the most vile men I have ever known used to walk around with a bracelet on with the inscription, "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do). He would curse and tell nasty jokes and do awful things; but, he wore that bracelet. His life was not bringing honor and glory to God. It is sad.
So how is your life bringing honor and glory to God? I hope it is in so many ways that you cannot count them all.
How are you doing?
I Chronicles 29:10-15, "Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding."
I hate to admit it; but, it is true. We have lost our ability to worship today. What men call worship is far from what God intended it to be. Far too many of us worship the national sports hero or we worship our automobile. Some of us even worship ourselves. This is a dangerous practice. We need to worship God and God alone!
I think a part of our problem today is that we cannot control God; but, we try to make Him someone or something we can manipulate. This is wrong! We have been put here to worship God.
Look at Revelation 4:11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." There you go. This is why we were created and why we exist. We are here for God's pleasure and we are to honor and glorify Him.
The word worship means to ascribe worth to someone or something. Wow! I had not thought about that. That definition is so accurate. Everything we do in life should bring honor and glory to God. It is not about us. It is all about Him.
One of the most vile men I have ever known used to walk around with a bracelet on with the inscription, "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do). He would curse and tell nasty jokes and do awful things; but, he wore that bracelet. His life was not bringing honor and glory to God. It is sad.
So how is your life bringing honor and glory to God? I hope it is in so many ways that you cannot count them all.
How are you doing?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
Today's reading: I Chronicles 26, 27, 28; Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124; Proverbs 4
I Chronicles 28:9-11, "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,"
I think we see some interesting things in our Scripture passage for today. I would like to look at three (3) things that stood out to me today. The king is talking to his son Solomon and gives him these principles.
Verse 9 - The Charge of the father. King David wanted his son Solomon to know God personally. It is the same for you and I today. We should want our children to know God as their Heavenly Father. If you do not then you need to take a close look at your heart. This is the ultimate relationship. We must point our children to a relationship with Jesus Christ so they can know that when they die they will spend eternity in heaven.
Verse 10 - The Command of the Lord. Notice what he says, "... for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary:". This was not king David living his life through Solomon. This was him teaching his son what God had command him to do. We should all take the time to teach and train our children in the commands of God.
Verse 11 - The Course of the king. King David gave Solomon the "pattern". He gave him something to follow. When I first read this I thought of instructions that come with a building project. Then it dawned on me that king David had also lived a life that he wanted Solomon to follow. It is the same for you and I. We need to live a life that points others to Jesus Christ so they too can put their faith and trust in Him for eternal salvation.
So friend, how are you doing?
I Chronicles 28:9-11, "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,"
I think we see some interesting things in our Scripture passage for today. I would like to look at three (3) things that stood out to me today. The king is talking to his son Solomon and gives him these principles.
Verse 9 - The Charge of the father. King David wanted his son Solomon to know God personally. It is the same for you and I today. We should want our children to know God as their Heavenly Father. If you do not then you need to take a close look at your heart. This is the ultimate relationship. We must point our children to a relationship with Jesus Christ so they can know that when they die they will spend eternity in heaven.
Verse 10 - The Command of the Lord. Notice what he says, "... for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary:". This was not king David living his life through Solomon. This was him teaching his son what God had command him to do. We should all take the time to teach and train our children in the commands of God.
Verse 11 - The Course of the king. King David gave Solomon the "pattern". He gave him something to follow. When I first read this I thought of instructions that come with a building project. Then it dawned on me that king David had also lived a life that he wanted Solomon to follow. It is the same for you and I. We need to live a life that points others to Jesus Christ so they too can put their faith and trust in Him for eternal salvation.
So friend, how are you doing?
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