Scripture: Numbers 10:29 and 31-32
"Come with us; we'll treat you well. God has promised good things for Israel...Don't leave us...If you come with us, we'll make sure that you share in all the good things God will do for us."
Observation: As the children of Israel set out, obediently following God's presence, Moses turns his attention to his brother-in-law. He wants the man to stay; he knows all the best places to camp in the wilderness and will be a great asset. But he is hesitant, thinking of his native country instead of the Promised Land. Moses' confident reassurance of God's blessings finally convince him to stay. His expertise and knowledge will be invaluable to the travellers; God's blessings in his life will be incomparable.
Application: Moses has just finished explaining God's laws. They are specific, they are punishable by death, and they are many. That is not, however, where Moses begins his argument. He focuses not on what his brother-in-law will have to change or give up, not on wrongs, indiscretions, or offenses in his past behavior. His words are inspiring, full of hope and grace. He promises his brother-in-law not condemnation but blessing. He says, "Come with us, we'll treat you well...and...make sure you share in all the good things God will do for us."
I can see how home and country would be calling to him and I can see that a list of rules and restrictions, no matter how holy, would not be enticing. More than that though I can see that being included in the blessings of Jehovah-God would be more than he had ever imagined. That is what Moses offers him.
When I talk to people about God is that where I start? Am I so busy trying to tell them all the things that they must give up or change that I fail to explain God's blessings?!? Though God expects great things from his followers, it is His grace that saves us--not our works. Life change, discipline, and living a life in-bounds are all good things. They are honoring to God. But they are not where it begins. Christianity should be full of grace. It should be winsome. It should be inspiring. It should be joyful and sweet. That is what we have to offer. Is that what I live out? Is that what I invite people to be part of?
Prayer:
Jehovah-God,
Your blessings in my life are too many to count. I am so grateful for your salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, your gifts of family and friends in my life. Will you help me to live a life reflective of those blessings--one that points to You because of Your light in me? Please fill me up so completely with Your Spirit that His fruits flow out of me.
Amen
Andy's Journal
Acts 27:25-26: So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.
Paul is on a journey to go to prison when he gets on this boat. On the 3rd day of this journey they run into a storm. During this storm everyone was freakin out thinking that they were going to die, and rightfully so. One night, from what I can tell it was the 3rd night, an angel tells Paul that everyone will make it alive and but the ship will sink. Later we read that the ship ends up running aground on the fourteenth day. There is a huge span in between when God says everything will be ok and when everything is actually ok.
I find this interesting that God would send an angel to comfort Paul and the crew and then 10-11 days later it happens. I think I’d I were on that boat that I would want that comfort to happen right away. I wonder why God did it that way? I see these types of things happen in my own life. Not in the way of a ship sinking in a hurricane but I see them in the areas of my life cause me to doubt that help will ever come. I know God’s promises in my life and I know that he will comfort me in all I do but I think I get caught up in the when more then I should. I need to rest knowing that God will take care of me. It doesn’t mean that nothing bad will happen to me. After all Paul did continue to spend 10 days in a hurricane and the ship did end up wrecking. In all of that God took care of Paul and I know he will take care of me.
“Lord, I thank you for taking care of me. I thank you for always being there for me when I need you. I am sorry for getting impatient when I am facing trials. May I always rest in you and take refuge in your Word. Thanks for always watching over me.”
Paul is on a journey to go to prison when he gets on this boat. On the 3rd day of this journey they run into a storm. During this storm everyone was freakin out thinking that they were going to die, and rightfully so. One night, from what I can tell it was the 3rd night, an angel tells Paul that everyone will make it alive and but the ship will sink. Later we read that the ship ends up running aground on the fourteenth day. There is a huge span in between when God says everything will be ok and when everything is actually ok.
I find this interesting that God would send an angel to comfort Paul and the crew and then 10-11 days later it happens. I think I’d I were on that boat that I would want that comfort to happen right away. I wonder why God did it that way? I see these types of things happen in my own life. Not in the way of a ship sinking in a hurricane but I see them in the areas of my life cause me to doubt that help will ever come. I know God’s promises in my life and I know that he will comfort me in all I do but I think I get caught up in the when more then I should. I need to rest knowing that God will take care of me. It doesn’t mean that nothing bad will happen to me. After all Paul did continue to spend 10 days in a hurricane and the ship did end up wrecking. In all of that God took care of Paul and I know he will take care of me.
“Lord, I thank you for taking care of me. I thank you for always being there for me when I need you. I am sorry for getting impatient when I am facing trials. May I always rest in you and take refuge in your Word. Thanks for always watching over me.”
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by Bob
Title: Trust in the LORD
Scripture: Ps 22:8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.
Observation: In Psalm 22, we hear King David singing a lamenting song as he cries out to our LORD in the face of danger and discouragement. This Psalm is filled with prophetic statements which point to Jesus’ crucifixion and his momentary separation from our Heavenly Father while on the cross. In the middle of his mournful song, David proclaims, “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.” This is the same statement made by the chief priest and teachers of the law (Matt 27:43) as they mocked Christ on the cross. But David’s comment were not sarcastic words, but instead a ray of hope in a sea of desperation. For in the midst of his calamity, David knew his true rescuer; it was his LORD, his strength, his God.
Application: Hopefully there will only be a few times in your life when you will experience the wrath of the world surrounding you from all sides. Hopefully during those times you will cry out to God as your only source of rescue. But in order to trust God with your life’s disasters when they come, you need to continually trust Him in the little things of your life; daily, even hourly. Only after a life time of dependence on God with the small things in your daily life will you automatically turn to Him in times of real trouble, like David did.
Prayer: O LORD, impart in me a desire to trust you for all the trials in my life, the small and the complex. Help me to develop a habit of looking to you for my strength, my grace, and my hope.
Scripture: Ps 22:8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.
Observation: In Psalm 22, we hear King David singing a lamenting song as he cries out to our LORD in the face of danger and discouragement. This Psalm is filled with prophetic statements which point to Jesus’ crucifixion and his momentary separation from our Heavenly Father while on the cross. In the middle of his mournful song, David proclaims, “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.” This is the same statement made by the chief priest and teachers of the law (Matt 27:43) as they mocked Christ on the cross. But David’s comment were not sarcastic words, but instead a ray of hope in a sea of desperation. For in the midst of his calamity, David knew his true rescuer; it was his LORD, his strength, his God.
Application: Hopefully there will only be a few times in your life when you will experience the wrath of the world surrounding you from all sides. Hopefully during those times you will cry out to God as your only source of rescue. But in order to trust God with your life’s disasters when they come, you need to continually trust Him in the little things of your life; daily, even hourly. Only after a life time of dependence on God with the small things in your daily life will you automatically turn to Him in times of real trouble, like David did.
Prayer: O LORD, impart in me a desire to trust you for all the trials in my life, the small and the complex. Help me to develop a habit of looking to you for my strength, my grace, and my hope.
Monday, February 18, 2008 by Randy
Title The Resurrection
Scripture
[19] Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. Acts 25:19 (NIV)
Observation
As Felix recounted the events surrounding Paul's arrest, he told his friend, King Agrippa, how the issues caught him off guard. Acts 25:18 it records Felix's words, “When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.” Even though Festus knew little about Christianity, without knowing it, he hit the "nail on the head" -the central doctrine of Christianity was and is the resurrection of Jesus! Paul wrote to Corinthians, referring resurrection, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19). Why is the resurrection so important? Because Christ rose from the dead as he promised, we know that what he said is true—he is God. Because he rose, we have certainty that our sins are forgiven. Because he rose, he lives and represents us to God. Because he rose and defeated death, we know we will also be raised (from Bible notes).
Application
Growing up we used to sing a song entitled, “He Lives.” It goes like this:
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
and, just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
This morning I’ve so grateful that Jesus is alive and that he lives in my heart! And, like Paul, I want to share Jesus and his love with others, even today!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are alive today. Thank you that you are alive in my heart. Help me see the open doors to share the Good News with others, just like Paul. AMEN.
Scripture
[19] Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. Acts 25:19 (NIV)
Observation
As Felix recounted the events surrounding Paul's arrest, he told his friend, King Agrippa, how the issues caught him off guard. Acts 25:18 it records Felix's words, “When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.” Even though Festus knew little about Christianity, without knowing it, he hit the "nail on the head" -the central doctrine of Christianity was and is the resurrection of Jesus! Paul wrote to Corinthians, referring resurrection, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19). Why is the resurrection so important? Because Christ rose from the dead as he promised, we know that what he said is true—he is God. Because he rose, we have certainty that our sins are forgiven. Because he rose, he lives and represents us to God. Because he rose and defeated death, we know we will also be raised (from Bible notes).
Application
Growing up we used to sing a song entitled, “He Lives.” It goes like this:
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
and, just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
This morning I’ve so grateful that Jesus is alive and that he lives in my heart! And, like Paul, I want to share Jesus and his love with others, even today!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are alive today. Thank you that you are alive in my heart. Help me see the open doors to share the Good News with others, just like Paul. AMEN.
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