Scripture:
"He gave them exactly what they asked for,
but along with it they got an empty heart."
Psalm 106:15 (Msg.)
Observation:
The psalmist is describing the history of Israel. When he comes to the period in the wilderness he lists the demands of God's people. He remembers their whiny, wearisome grumbling and complaining and he explains that finally God gave them what they asked for. The downside was that along with it they got an empty heart.
Application:
There is nothing I can imagine that would be worth that trade off. God's presence in my life far exceeds the value of an earthly possession or position. It is my heart's desire to be filled more and more with God's grace so that I can live it out. I must guard against getting caught up in "keeping up with the Jones'" and trading God's presence for things that will pass away. What a tragic exchange!
Prayer:
God, I pray that your presence in my life would grow, that your grace in my life would increase, that your compassion and mercy would overflow. I pray that I would be so caught up in You that I cannot be distracted by the foolishness of the latest trend or possession. I want You to be the center of my life, my focus, my heart's desire.
Amen.
May 1, 2008 by Keith
Scripture:
Matthew 18:12-14
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
Observation:
Jesus interrupts our reality shares a truth about God’s heart. God, our Father, the Shepherd of humanity is more concerned about the lost than he is about the “found.” There seems to be a great burden and concern for those who have wondered, lost their way, and are confused.
I wonder what this translates to in today’s terms. What would a modern day parable look like to share God’s deep concern for those who have wondered?
One thing is for sure, God hasn’t changed, he is still concerned about people being reached and saved by the Shepherd.
Application:
I can still remember the year that my life was changed by following Jesus. It was as if I had “come home.” Yet, I never knew about this home. Somehow in my 15 years of following Christ those feelings have settled and I know focus on the “sheep” around me.
Have I forgot what it was like to be confused and lost? Jesus reminds us that we need to remember what God’s heart longs for. He desires for the wonderers to come home, to find refuge, safety, and hope.
How can I be more like Christ? Do I have his heart? Am I spending my life, energy, and resources to reach those whom Christ Jesus would reach?
Prayer:
Help me Lord to see the world the way you see it. Help me to see children through your eyes. Father, give me compassion for your children that are wondering from you. Holy Spirit guide me as I seek to follow you. I rejoice that I have been saved by your grace. I also ask that I would reach out to others like you reached out to me. In Jesus wonderful name. so be it.
Matthew 18:12-14
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
Observation:
Jesus interrupts our reality shares a truth about God’s heart. God, our Father, the Shepherd of humanity is more concerned about the lost than he is about the “found.” There seems to be a great burden and concern for those who have wondered, lost their way, and are confused.
I wonder what this translates to in today’s terms. What would a modern day parable look like to share God’s deep concern for those who have wondered?
One thing is for sure, God hasn’t changed, he is still concerned about people being reached and saved by the Shepherd.
Application:
I can still remember the year that my life was changed by following Jesus. It was as if I had “come home.” Yet, I never knew about this home. Somehow in my 15 years of following Christ those feelings have settled and I know focus on the “sheep” around me.
Have I forgot what it was like to be confused and lost? Jesus reminds us that we need to remember what God’s heart longs for. He desires for the wonderers to come home, to find refuge, safety, and hope.
How can I be more like Christ? Do I have his heart? Am I spending my life, energy, and resources to reach those whom Christ Jesus would reach?
Prayer:
Help me Lord to see the world the way you see it. Help me to see children through your eyes. Father, give me compassion for your children that are wondering from you. Holy Spirit guide me as I seek to follow you. I rejoice that I have been saved by your grace. I also ask that I would reach out to others like you reached out to me. In Jesus wonderful name. so be it.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 by Bob
TITLE: Here I am Lord, use me!
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 5:12, “And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.”
OBSERVATION: David’s climb to the position of king over all the Israelites took over seven years to attain. But when Israel’s elders finally relented and anointed him King, followed by several successful military victories, we read, David knew that the Lord had established him as king and exalted his kingdom. After all the persecution and turmoil David had endured, he could have very easily interpreted his rise to power as a reward for his faithfulness and obedience to God. But David knew otherwise, which we find in his comment, “…for the sake of his people Israel.” David saw himself as a servant committed to serving God’s larger plan for his people. You could hear David say, “Here I am Lord, use me.”
APPLICATION: Have you ever been blessed and exalted by God in your family, school, or work and wondered why he would grace your life like he has? This passage helps us to understand that sometimes our blessings from God are intended to be the strength we need to complete his work around us. It requires us to be keenly aware of the work he is doing to those around us and to know how we can be a part of his work for his kingdom.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to alter my perspective toward my surroundings and to see less of me and more of your plan for those around me. Help me to ask you why; whenever I receive your graces, and to understand how I can be part of your work. Help me to have a heart like David that cries, “Here I am Lord, use me!”
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 5:12, “And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.”
OBSERVATION: David’s climb to the position of king over all the Israelites took over seven years to attain. But when Israel’s elders finally relented and anointed him King, followed by several successful military victories, we read, David knew that the Lord had established him as king and exalted his kingdom. After all the persecution and turmoil David had endured, he could have very easily interpreted his rise to power as a reward for his faithfulness and obedience to God. But David knew otherwise, which we find in his comment, “…for the sake of his people Israel.” David saw himself as a servant committed to serving God’s larger plan for his people. You could hear David say, “Here I am Lord, use me.”
APPLICATION: Have you ever been blessed and exalted by God in your family, school, or work and wondered why he would grace your life like he has? This passage helps us to understand that sometimes our blessings from God are intended to be the strength we need to complete his work around us. It requires us to be keenly aware of the work he is doing to those around us and to know how we can be a part of his work for his kingdom.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to alter my perspective toward my surroundings and to see less of me and more of your plan for those around me. Help me to ask you why; whenever I receive your graces, and to understand how I can be part of your work. Help me to have a heart like David that cries, “Here I am Lord, use me!”
Monday, April 28, 2008 by Randy
TITLE:
Heart Condition
SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said...But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ Matthew 15:18 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
The religious leaders of Christ’s day were so concerned about the food and formality of the law, they had forgotten the most important thing—the condition of heart! They were more concerned about “looking good” than truly “being good.” In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Jesus reiterated this when he taught that what goes into our mouths (the outside) isn’twhat makes us unclean, but what is in our hearts (the inside). God always changes lives from the inside out.
APPLICATION:
What is my heart condition? Where is my focus? As I get older, it is easy for me to become more conscious of what is happening on the “outside” of my life. I have to laugh at the 5 B’s of old age—“Baldness, bifocals, bulges, bunions and bridges!!” Yikes! I’m there! Someone said that we all come to the point in life where we look in the mirror and say “Mirror, mirror on the wall, you’ve got to be kidding!”
Seriously, God is constantly reminding me that what really counts in life is what He is doing internally and eternally! It is not about rules and rituals. It is about the heart! Nothing really compares with our walk with God and being willing to let him clean our lives from the inside out.
PRAYER
Father, help me to focus on what really matters– my heart condition! Cleanse of my sin. Please fill me with your Spirit. Use me for your honor and glory! AMEN!
Heart Condition
SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said...But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ Matthew 15:18 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
The religious leaders of Christ’s day were so concerned about the food and formality of the law, they had forgotten the most important thing—the condition of heart! They were more concerned about “looking good” than truly “being good.” In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Jesus reiterated this when he taught that what goes into our mouths (the outside) isn’twhat makes us unclean, but what is in our hearts (the inside). God always changes lives from the inside out.
APPLICATION:
What is my heart condition? Where is my focus? As I get older, it is easy for me to become more conscious of what is happening on the “outside” of my life. I have to laugh at the 5 B’s of old age—“Baldness, bifocals, bulges, bunions and bridges!!” Yikes! I’m there! Someone said that we all come to the point in life where we look in the mirror and say “Mirror, mirror on the wall, you’ve got to be kidding!”
Seriously, God is constantly reminding me that what really counts in life is what He is doing internally and eternally! It is not about rules and rituals. It is about the heart! Nothing really compares with our walk with God and being willing to let him clean our lives from the inside out.
PRAYER
Father, help me to focus on what really matters– my heart condition! Cleanse of my sin. Please fill me with your Spirit. Use me for your honor and glory! AMEN!
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