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?
Monday, April 12, 2010
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?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 7, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 16, 17, 18; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 97, 127; Proverbs 7
II Samuel 17:23, "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father."
Our topic for today is not something that anyone wants to really talk about. Unfortunately, it needs to be discussed. As I was reading our Scripture today I could not help but be drawn to the fact of Ahithophel taking his own life. This is so sad. I hope you do not think that I am being unkind or anything as I discuss this important topic.
There are so many families that have been touched by this tragedy. I call it a tragedy because it is a permanent solution to a problem that is more than likely temporary. I do not know what drives people to take their own life. I thought of two tragic situations where people that I knew took their own lives. As I think about it I begin to weep all over again.
One instance, a man who was in a position of leadership in the community took a gun and put it to his own head and sealed his own destiny with the trigger pull. I remember it like it was yesterday. His young children found him. I do not know how you can make it through a situation like this if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
The second instance is one that is very close to me. A cousin to be exact. Nobody on this side of eternity knows "why". From this unfortunate instance there has come a book, "Suicide: how God sustained a family". You should read it (yes, I am prejudice as I know the author).
Parents, you need to talk with your children about this. We need to know our children so well that we see the signs. We need to pray for our children that God will protect them from this. It is not the unpardonable sin to commit suicide. It is tragic, however. We need to teach our children to delight in the Lord and His ways. Look at Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
I hope this tragedy never strikes your family; but, if it does I know that Jesus Christ will be there for you if you will lean on Him.
How are you doing?
II Samuel 17:23, "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father."
Our topic for today is not something that anyone wants to really talk about. Unfortunately, it needs to be discussed. As I was reading our Scripture today I could not help but be drawn to the fact of Ahithophel taking his own life. This is so sad. I hope you do not think that I am being unkind or anything as I discuss this important topic.
There are so many families that have been touched by this tragedy. I call it a tragedy because it is a permanent solution to a problem that is more than likely temporary. I do not know what drives people to take their own life. I thought of two tragic situations where people that I knew took their own lives. As I think about it I begin to weep all over again.
One instance, a man who was in a position of leadership in the community took a gun and put it to his own head and sealed his own destiny with the trigger pull. I remember it like it was yesterday. His young children found him. I do not know how you can make it through a situation like this if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
The second instance is one that is very close to me. A cousin to be exact. Nobody on this side of eternity knows "why". From this unfortunate instance there has come a book, "Suicide: how God sustained a family". You should read it (yes, I am prejudice as I know the author).
Parents, you need to talk with your children about this. We need to know our children so well that we see the signs. We need to pray for our children that God will protect them from this. It is not the unpardonable sin to commit suicide. It is tragic, however. We need to teach our children to delight in the Lord and His ways. Look at Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
I hope this tragedy never strikes your family; but, if it does I know that Jesus Christ will be there for you if you will lean on Him.
How are you doing?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April 6, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 13, 14, 15; Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, 126; Proverbs 6
Psalm 66:18-20, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
I often have people ask me to pray for them. I am humbled by this. To think that someone would stake important things on the fact that they think I can pray and have my prayers answered is very humbling to me. I have been asked to pray in some dire situations. The sad reality is that if I were to have sin in my life that had yet to be confessed this would have been an exercise in futility. It would have been worthless.
To regard iniquity is to approve it. We see every day iniquity abounding and people approving it. People are trying to get laws passed to legalize things that God calls an abomination (something that makes God want to vomit). If I approve of this God will not hear my prayers. Wow! You cannot have your prayers answered and be living against God. It just will not work that way. God is Holy and He cannot be touched by sin. Because of this, He cannot hear the prayers of someone who is not righteous. How do we become righteous? Confess and forsake sin and iniquity. Keep a short account with God and you can know that you will have access to Him at any moment. You never know when you might need to get in contact with God in an emergency situation and there is no time to confess sin.
Are you keeping short account?
Psalm 66:18-20, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
I often have people ask me to pray for them. I am humbled by this. To think that someone would stake important things on the fact that they think I can pray and have my prayers answered is very humbling to me. I have been asked to pray in some dire situations. The sad reality is that if I were to have sin in my life that had yet to be confessed this would have been an exercise in futility. It would have been worthless.
To regard iniquity is to approve it. We see every day iniquity abounding and people approving it. People are trying to get laws passed to legalize things that God calls an abomination (something that makes God want to vomit). If I approve of this God will not hear my prayers. Wow! You cannot have your prayers answered and be living against God. It just will not work that way. God is Holy and He cannot be touched by sin. Because of this, He cannot hear the prayers of someone who is not righteous. How do we become righteous? Confess and forsake sin and iniquity. Keep a short account with God and you can know that you will have access to Him at any moment. You never know when you might need to get in contact with God in an emergency situation and there is no time to confess sin.
Are you keeping short account?
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