Scripture:
2 Chronicles 7:10
They left rejoicing, exuberant over all the good God had done for David and Solomon and his people Israel.
Psalm 135:19-21
Family of Israel, bless God!
Family of Aaron, bless God!
Family of Levi, bless God!
You who fear God, bless God!
Oh, blessed be God of Zion,
First Citizen of Jerusalem!
Hallelujah!
Observation:
Solomon has completed his temple. He dedicates it with joyful sacrifice and worship. He prays personally and in intercession for his people--a leader with a heart for those he serves--and God hears his prayers. God's presence boldly fills the temple, God speaks directly to Solomon in answer to his prayers, and the people celebrate. The Feast of the Tents that year lasted two weeks. Two weeks of worship and adoration. Two weeks of honor and sacrifice. Two weeks of celebration. And when they left, they did so rejoicing, celebrating God's goodness as they went back to their homes and communities.
Application:
Is that my response to God's presence in my life? I believe that God's temple today is me! His presence has filled me. Do I go my way rejoicing? Is there joy in my life as I work and live and serve? Is there joy in my life as I wait in line at the grocery store? As I pay for gas for my car? As I work in my yard? My life should be characterized by joy, after all I am saved by grace. God has taken my sins and placed them as far as the east is from the west. He has forgotten them--not because I am so great but because HE is. I live my life chosen by God, filled with His very presence, how can I get caught up in social slights from a neighbor, grumpy complaints from people around me, angst over the future? The God of the universe in His unspeakable grace has chosen to dwell in me!
Prayer:
I say today, I bless you, Lord, God of the Universe. Your grace is beyond understanding. Your faithfulness is beyond the measure of mere man. I stand in awe that you choose relationship with me. Your great compassion and mercy are gifts my mind cannot grasp. I rejoice in your grace. I rejoice in your faithfulness, I rejoice in your compassion and mercy. I rejoice to live the life you have invited me to. Hallelujah.
Amen.
May 20, 2008 by Bob
TITLE: Better Than Powerball
SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:16-17, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
OBSERVATIONS: In Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians he starts by illuminating the importance and power of the gospel. He proclaims the gospel “…is the power of God…” that results in salvation to all who believe in it. So what is so important in this gospel that could result in our own salvation? Well Paul goes on to state that the gospel helps us to know ‘how’ to be right with God. Paul further explains that this rightful living is based on our faith in Christ, and should not be based on our own works.
APPLICATION: How often do we take the bible so lightly, as a collection of stories about past historical events, only occasionally thinking about their content in terms of principles that expose how we should live our lives? Reading God’s Word is hard work, for it requires us to understand His timeless principles hidden in these stories, and then to find their application in our own lives. But that is what Paul is encouraging us to do. Finally once we have figured out a way to apply them in our daily lives, we need to exercise the discipline to live it out. Only by practicing what Paul is urging us to do will we experience the power of God in our lives!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive the many times that I have skimmed over your Word to simply complete another day of devotional reading. Help me to prepare when I read your Word with a prayer to seek your Holy Spirit’s help to open my eyes and heart to what I am reading. Help your Word to speak to me directly and cause change to occur in my thinking, speech, and behavior. Help me to become transformed by your Word.
SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:16-17, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
OBSERVATIONS: In Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians he starts by illuminating the importance and power of the gospel. He proclaims the gospel “…is the power of God…” that results in salvation to all who believe in it. So what is so important in this gospel that could result in our own salvation? Well Paul goes on to state that the gospel helps us to know ‘how’ to be right with God. Paul further explains that this rightful living is based on our faith in Christ, and should not be based on our own works.
APPLICATION: How often do we take the bible so lightly, as a collection of stories about past historical events, only occasionally thinking about their content in terms of principles that expose how we should live our lives? Reading God’s Word is hard work, for it requires us to understand His timeless principles hidden in these stories, and then to find their application in our own lives. But that is what Paul is encouraging us to do. Finally once we have figured out a way to apply them in our daily lives, we need to exercise the discipline to live it out. Only by practicing what Paul is urging us to do will we experience the power of God in our lives!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive the many times that I have skimmed over your Word to simply complete another day of devotional reading. Help me to prepare when I read your Word with a prayer to seek your Holy Spirit’s help to open my eyes and heart to what I am reading. Help your Word to speak to me directly and cause change to occur in my thinking, speech, and behavior. Help me to become transformed by your Word.
Monday, May 19th, 2008 by Randy
TITLE:
Better Homes and Gardens.
SCRIPTURE:
“I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. Psalms 101:2 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
David commits to be “careful” to lead a blameless life in his home. He writes, “I will walk in my house with blameless heart.” The word “careful” means “to act prudently, to behave wisely.” From past experience, David knew the pitfalls of not guarding his home. It was at home he committed adultery with Bathsheba. It was at home he failed to correct the rebellion of his children. David knew it was at the home and in the heart sin has its start.
Often we speak of home being a place where we can “let our hair down.” Is it possible that the false sense of privacy allow with an unguarded attitude makes all of us vulnerable? The fact is, what happens behind the closed doors of our homes, is probably the best indicator of our maturity and walk with God. David goes on in this passage and says, “I will set before my eyes, no vile thing…my eyes will be faithful” (Psalm 101:3,6).
APPLICATION:
How can my home be a better place? Like David, I need to be careful to lead a holy and blameless life. For example, do the things I watch on TV and read in my leisure time reflect a blameless heart or a heart that is flirting with sin? What about my relationship with my wife, Linda? She needs to be the absolute focus of my affection. Home needs to be a place where we are spending quality time and growing in our love for one another. With my two boys, am I being the dad I need to be to them? My walk and words must always point them to Jesus.
PRAYER:
Father, I ask that bless my home. Please purify and guard my heart from those things that would destroy my family. This morning I recommit to being blameless in heart and life. I ask you to fill me with your Spirit. Help me to be the husband and father you want me to be. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Better Homes and Gardens.
SCRIPTURE:
“I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. Psalms 101:2 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
David commits to be “careful” to lead a blameless life in his home. He writes, “I will walk in my house with blameless heart.” The word “careful” means “to act prudently, to behave wisely.” From past experience, David knew the pitfalls of not guarding his home. It was at home he committed adultery with Bathsheba. It was at home he failed to correct the rebellion of his children. David knew it was at the home and in the heart sin has its start.
Often we speak of home being a place where we can “let our hair down.” Is it possible that the false sense of privacy allow with an unguarded attitude makes all of us vulnerable? The fact is, what happens behind the closed doors of our homes, is probably the best indicator of our maturity and walk with God. David goes on in this passage and says, “I will set before my eyes, no vile thing…my eyes will be faithful” (Psalm 101:3,6).
APPLICATION:
How can my home be a better place? Like David, I need to be careful to lead a holy and blameless life. For example, do the things I watch on TV and read in my leisure time reflect a blameless heart or a heart that is flirting with sin? What about my relationship with my wife, Linda? She needs to be the absolute focus of my affection. Home needs to be a place where we are spending quality time and growing in our love for one another. With my two boys, am I being the dad I need to be to them? My walk and words must always point them to Jesus.
PRAYER:
Father, I ask that bless my home. Please purify and guard my heart from those things that would destroy my family. This morning I recommit to being blameless in heart and life. I ask you to fill me with your Spirit. Help me to be the husband and father you want me to be. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)