Psalms 73, 77-78 – April 26

 As we read some poetry/songs of Asaph, I am very impressed with his transparency regarding his faults. He found himself envious of people that seemed to have it all – wealth, easy life, power, do what every they want, etc. - and yet they doubted God. Honestly, I can relate to that. I have had that thought. “Those people don’t go to church or even claim to be Christian, and yet their life seems so great.”

 

But then he uncovers his concluding realization.

Psalm 73:16-17 When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight   17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.

 

What a change of perspective that can happen when we consider the end as opposed to the present. I desire to bear the attitude that I find in verse 28, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good…”.

 

What matters the most is …

1 Chronicles 3-5 – April 25

I love it when I find spiritual nuggets in the Bible, especially when I don’t really expect to. Yesterday, I found such a nugget in 1 Chronicles 5:20 in the middle of genealogy business.

“They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.”

 

He answered their prayers BECAUSE they trusted Him!

Trust came before the answer.

Trust came before the answer.

Trust came before the answer. (repeated for dramatic effect)

 

Are you seeking an answer from God today? I am. If I truly am trusting God for this answer, then it is no longer something for which to be anxious.

Do not allow stress or anxiety in your life.

 Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

 

1 Chronicles 1-2 - April 23

 

Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21 – April 22, 2021

Chapters 9 and 10 are created to be an acrostic, where the initial letters of successive verses follow the order of the Hebrew alphabet, perhaps to aid in the memorization process.

 

Chapter 16 stood out to me as a particularly beneficial chapter. It gives us a hint of the resurrection of Jesus in verse 10 … “Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” This verse is also quoted in Acts 2:27 when Paul was trying to convince the men of Israel of Who Jesus was.

 

I especially love the reassurance of verse 11.

16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;

I think I will include this in my morning prayers, because I find myself praying a great deal about the path of my life, ministry, family, etc. Sometimes I simply need to remember that He will make known to me all that I need to know about my path, if I will just listen.

 

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,…

2 Samuel 1-4 - April 21

 

Psalms 17, 35, 54, 63 – April 18

Psalm 17:2 Let my judgment come forth from Your presence; …

I get the sense more this time than ever before that David had problems with people spreading lies about him, especially to Saul. I can see people in Saul’s camp continually putting negative information in his mind that caused him to repeatedly change his opinions about David. Perhaps, even Satan wished for David’s demise, since David would be setting up the name for the lineage of Jesus.

 But David prayed many times about this, as we see here in 17:2.

Too often and too greatly, people’s opinion of us matter. We unknowingly allow others’ thoughts of us to influence our mood or actions. But what does God think of you?

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Ephesians 1:4-5 …just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

THAT’S YOU! Today, more than the perceived opinions of people, allow God’s opinion of you dictate your attitude.

“Let my judgement come from YOUR presence.”

1 Samuel 25-27 – April 17, 2021

Interesting point #1:

In chapter 27, we read that David, his family, and 600 of his men are now living with Achish, the son of the king of Gath, hometown of Goliath. These are the Philistines that were horribly defeated when David killed Goliath. Yet, David feels safer here than in his own country, where he has been claimed and proven a hero.

Interesting point #2:

26:23 …but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.

 Was Saul still anointed? We read that like Samson, the Holy Spirit had left Saul.

1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. Judges 16:20… But he (Samson) did not know that the Lord had departed from him.

 Yet, we know that the role of the Holy Spirit is to be with us forever.

John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; (also Ephesians 1:13-14)

 Originally, anointing was a term used for applying oil to sheep and shields and they would have required occasional applications. But, Biblically, anointing was a term used as “to set apart”, “to empower”, and “to protect/heal”.

 Because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, we can experience the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit through all trials, whether we fail or succeed. How blessed we are to experience this anointing and presence in our lives everyday! It makes me feel special, set apart, protected, and safe.

 1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

 Today, realize and enjoy your anointing!

 

Psalms 56, 120, 140-142 – April 16

I found a similarity in every chapter of today’s reading assignment.

 56:5 All day long they distort my words;

120:2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue.

140:3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips.

141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

142:1 I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.

 

Did you catch it? Oh, the danger, the trouble, and the blessing that can be caused by such a simple thing – speech.

 

Father, please help me to

 - think prior to speaking –

- pray prior to thinking –

- and love through it all!

 

Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52 – April 15

I have to post such a powerful passage as Psalms 27:3-5:

 

Psalms 27:3 Though a host encamp against me,

My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me,

In spite of this I shall be confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord

And to meditate in His temple.

5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;

In the secret place of His tent He will hide me…

 

David knows that simply the proximity of his God, is what saves him.

The presence of God is truly the only salvation we need.

If I live everyday as if the presence of God was the one thing keeping me alive and at peace, seeking His presence would be my highest priority. Before air, I need the very presence of God! From my first waking moment till I sleep again, I am making certain I know where God is.

 

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

 

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

 

Hebrews 11:6 … for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

1 Samuel 21-24 – April 14, 2021

Interesting trivia:

David has Moabite blood in his veins, as we learned from his great grandmother, Ruth. (Ruth 1:4) Some believe that David knew that his family would be kept safe in Moab so that is why he asked the king of Moab to allow his family to stay there.

 

1 Samuel 22:3 And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.”

 

Christianity is communal. Even the great biblical hero, king David needs to rely on his family and his countrymen for help in time of need. We are not designed to take this journey alone. Trust and rely on your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They may not be perfect, but they would be very difficult to be around if they were!

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

 

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

 

Romans 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

 

 Today, be someone’s Moab king!

1 Samuel 18-20 – Psalms 11, 59 – April 13

 Rarely in our country is someone considered an enemy and receive death threats simply because the Lord is with them. It is happening in some countries, but thankfully, not in America. But because of its scarcity, I have to ask, would we be able to love and serve that same person or leader like David loved and served Saul, even after he threatened his life?

 

Matthew 5: 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

1 Samuel 15-17 – April 12

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

 This verse stood out to me in a big way. Can I learn to be so much like my Father, that I too will consider only the possibilities of the heart of a man beyond physical appearance? Even in the most innocent way, I cannot allow myself to make preconceived ideas about someone because of outward appearance.

 Then I thought, “Does outward appearance include what people say?” “Are we able to look at the heart of a man by listening to his words?”

 Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

Matthew 15:18 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.

Surprisingly, yes, it appears that we can see the heart through accompanying words. Of course, I am not condoning judgment by Christian (Matthew 7:1), but I am learning two lessons from this.

1 - Learn and practice seeing people through the eyes of God only.

2 – Examine my own heart by listening to my own mouth.

1 Samuel 9-12 – April 10

1 Samuel 10:27 But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?” And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.

 They just requested a king, God gave them a king, and now some of them complain! I immediately thought, “You really can’t please everyone.”

I had just read a chapter in Francis Chan’s book, Letters To the Church, that addressed this danger of trying to be people pleasers. I would like to quote some of it for you.

“The Trap of Avoiding Criticism

People say harsh things to pastors. No matter what is preached, there are people on both sides anxious to criticize. The harshness or sheer amount of criticism often causes a politicizing of the pulpit. They sound less like prophets and more like they are running for office. The leader becomes overly aware of how people respond and starts teaching in a way that avoids criticism rather than fearlessly preaching the truth.

The Trap of Meeting Expectations

People come on Sunday mornings expecting coffee, good parking, music they enjoy at a preferred volume, a thirty-minute sermon, a good nursery, children’s ministry… etc. They are too busy creating what people expect to actually pursue what God commands.” (Letters to the Church, Francis Chan, 2018)

 

I stopped to pray a prayer like this: “Father, please guide me every step of my life and ministry so that I seek always and only to please YOU. Give me a boldness that shows Your love in all situations, even if it makes me uncomfortable.”

I believe that this should be adopted by all Christians in these days of wanting to be accepted by those around us, to a fault.

Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.

 

1 Samuel 4-8 – April 9, 2021

Greetings from Florida. What a great lesson we learn today in 1 Samuel.

1 Samuel 7:3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

10 Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel.

There is power in submission, sacrifice, and trust. This power is so great that there may be times that you do not even have to see the battle or the outcome. How many battles have we won by interceding that we may not even know about because God fought and won the battle for us? When the Israelites turned back to God, many times He alone fought and won their battles without them even stepping onto the battlefield physically. Today, I will thank God for all of the times that He fought and defeated my enemy without me even realizing it.

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

Romans 8: 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

1 Samuel 1-3 – April 8 part 2

I found it interesting that Samuel was “ministering to the Lord” (3:1) before he even knew the Lord (3:7). It was reinforced to me that knowing about God is so much different than knowing Him. Now, Samuel was just a young boy, but once again, we are reminded of the importance of a personal relationship with God. It would be like me researching information about my wife, Jill, yet never stopping to simply talk to her. Research and information are important but only if it accompanies a personal connection. Even in service for God, if I get so busy that we never talk, I am going to miss it big time.

Be inspired by Moses’ relationship and Jesus’ prayer for relationship.

 

Exodus 33:13 Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight.

17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”

 

John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

 

James 4: 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

 

1 Samuel 1-3 - April 8

This is another fantastic video that will help you understand this book of Samuel and make reading it more valuable.

Ruth - part 2

Ruth 4:7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

 This is then considered a legal transaction by the removing and giving of the sandal. This was done for land transactions and family rights matters. One writer said that the shoe was probably immediately returned to the owner. It was only the symbolism of the physical act that made it legitimate.

 

But what I get the most out of this beautiful story is the importance of what initially seems insignificant.

Naomi says, “Why should you go with me?” and “for the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.”

Ruth says, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”, and "I am not like one of your maidservants” (lower actually).

 Would Naomi ever think that she would be in the lineage of the Messiah, and the great grandmother of Israel’s greatest Old Testament king?!

One writer said in the Zondervan Handbook, “When God steps in, the ordinary events of life take on extraordinary significance.”

Ruth - April 7

 This is a great video about the book of Ruth and God's providential work throughout their lives and decisions. And by the way, did you know that Ruth is King David's great Grandmother?

Judges 19-21 – April 6

Such a sad season for the Israelites because of their rebellion. Even the priests had idols! It should be a reminder for all peoples that when we allow ourselves to conform, the slippery slopes become traps of sin and failure.

Heed the advice in Judges 19:30 Consider it, take counsel and speak up!”

 Judges 21: 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

 Thankfully, we do have a King, and I want to do what is right in His eyes only.

 Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Judges 16-18 – April 5

Once again we see the term Nazarite – a Hebrew word meaning “consecrated” or “separated” which during this time, one was not to cut his hair or drink wine. However, it seems that normally, a Nazarite is only for a period of time but with Samson, we see that it can also be for a lifetime. Another thing that I am just now getting a picture of and that is that Samson was actually a judge for Israel. Even during all of his battles and carousing, Samson had to be a judge for his people. And how do you trust a woman that has 3 times tried to hand you over to the enemy?

 But the phrase that caught my attention was, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily” (14:6, 19, 15:14). In his consecrated state and when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, Samson not only defeated his attackers, but he went after them. With that kind of power, he went looking for a fight.

 I am encouraged, because I know that that same Spirit dwells inside of me when I also maintain consecration. I separate myself from things that are contrary to God and His Word, then I can not only defeat my attackers but I can go on the offensive as well. I picture this as interceding. Intercessors go looking for a spiritual fight because they know that the Spirit of the Lord moves IN them mightily. Don’t forget and don’t underestimate your God given abilities!

 Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

 John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

 James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Judges 8-9 - April 2

We have another story of what happens when power hungry, evil hearted people seek and gain control. And we have a very early version of a parable in 8:7-21. The trees ask decreasingly lower plants to rule over them. It seems fitting on a few levels. But my curiosity landed on Gideon’s ephod.

Judges 8: 27 Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah, and all Israel played the harlot with it there, so that it became a snare to Gideon and his household.

It seems that we do not have enough information about the ephod to be certain of what exactly it was and what exactly was its purpose. Originally, God had the Israelites make an ephod for the priest (Exodus 28:6-14). It was probably a vest or breastplate type of wearable. It was also mentioned several times in 1 Samuel. In this case however, some translations and scholars believe it to be an image of a god, perhaps due to the familiarity of the golden calf incident at Sinai.

 Regardless, this ephod - made from the gold awarded to Gideon for his victory – placed in his city - served as a snare for him and his family. I wonder if it may have been part of the cause of Abimelech's evil and the murder of Gideon’s 70 sons.

Judges 6-7 – April 1

 Gideon happens to be one of my favorite warriors to read about. His name, synonymous with war victories despite overwhelming odds, has been used throughout history for various battle campaigns We see his name used in a Venezuelan military operation in 2020 called Operation Gideon, as well as a character on the video game “Call of Duty”. This heroic leadership and faith are certainly not recognized in his beginnings in chapter 6. God truly can use anyone!

 Here is something I just learned. Many scholars believe that the Midianites who oppressed the Israelites in Judges 6 were descendants of Abraham (Genesis 25:1-4).

 Another thought - 

Through Judges, I continue to think about the danger of allowing certain evils, habits, or pollutants to remain in our lands! And I do not mean your physical land, but your spiritual land. How often do we cycle through bondage and deliverance all because we never completely clean out our lands – our spiritual dwelling places – of things contrary to God’s presence!? Think about some things in your life that are contrary to the presence of God that you may have allowed in or never cleaned out – anxiety, worry, fear, bitterness, anger, pride, gossip. Are these normal everyday experiences possibly the cause of a cycle of battles in our lives that are ultimately unnecessary?

 Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…