Tag: Devotions

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 7, Deuteronomy 8
NT: Luke 7:36-50, Luke 8:1-3
Ps: Psalm 69:1-18
Pr: Proverbs 12:1

Today´s notable verse:

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)

Well, David certainly wins awards with this proverb, for brevity and bluntness! But how true his words: great wisdom lies in learning from discipline, and foolish pride the despises correction is the epitome of stupidity.

The One Year Bible Blog has a lot of great commentary today, but I am too worn out to contribute. I’ll be back on my game tomorrow (Lord willing)!

Little’s Blog Things, welcome to the OYB Blogroll!

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 6
NT: Luke 7:11-35
Ps: Psalm 68:19-35
Pr: Proverbs 11:29-31

Today´s notable verse:

But wisdom is proved right by all her children.

Luke 7:35 (NIV)

This saying struck me. I’m not as familiar with Luke as I am with other gospels: John, and of the synoptic gospels, Matthew. I am very much enjoying reading the gospel story from Luke’s perspective, and I don’t remember Matthew mentioning Jesus saying what we read here. I think the meaning is similar to the principle of knowing the true identity of something according to the fruit it bears. Likewise, wisdom proves itself by the outcome or results of its application. The way the text is punctuated, Jesus is quoting something or someone here, but I see no footnote references to the source. I wonder what he’s quoting?

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Wow…. Verse 35 in Luke chapter 7 is such a profound teaching of Jesus’ for each of us to consider- “But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Take a few moments to really meditate on this verse and what it means. For me this verse is a reminder that sometimes in life we have to move forward in faith on something “wise” we’ve heard, but maybe not experienced – and then later see that the wisdom is true. …I’d just say that if there is a struggle in your life that God is calling you to leave behind or move forward on – go for it! If you know you should be doing or not doing something – go with that wisdom you know and then it will “shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Please follow it!

First, I like this take on the saying: the idea that wisdom has “children”, and that we are those children. Also, he points out that wisdom is something we can prove to ourselves by “trial and error” – we can put the wisdom to the test, so to speak, by applying it to our lives. (Though, I think we need to do so believing that the wisdom is true – see James 1:5-8.)

I know it’s not part of today’s reading, but something from church this weekend brings me back to a passage we studied earlier this week:

²⁷ But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

During service this weekend, the pastor took us through an exercise at the conclusion of worship, during which we intentionally prayed for our enemies. While I was doing so, God brought to my memory another passage, and an understanding that so struck me that I am compelled to share it here:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

God so very clearly reminded me that those who mistreat us or persecute us are not our enemy. Our struggle is not against them; our struggle is against our true enemy: the evil one and his forces of evil working in the lives of those we would consider our “enemies”. Rather than see such people with bitterness and unforgiveness, it is my prayer that we see them with the eyes of Christ:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

Not our enemies, but harassed and helpless sheep, in need of a shepherd – The Shepherd. As we pray for them, we begin to see them with the eyes of Christ: with compassion. In so doing, we begin to see them not from a perspective of deserving vengance, but rather we see the tragedy of their separation from Christ. it is only then that we resemble and exemplify Christ, and it is only then that God is able to use us to reach them.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 4
NT: Luke 6:39-49, Luke 7:1-10
Ps: Psalm 68:1-18
Pr: Proverbs 11:28

Today´s notable verses:

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

In the midst of Moses’ warning to the Israelites about what would happen to them if they turn away from worshipping God – forced out of the land of promise, scattered amongst the nations, forced to bow down to inanimate gods – even then, if they would turn all their heart and soul to seeking God, they would find Him. How true this promise remains for us today: no matter our circumstances, no matter how far we have willingly chosen and intentionally turned away from God, we have but to turn and seek Him, and He will be there.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45 (NIV)

In the end, the truth will always out. We can put on a facade, but who we really are inside cannot help but expose itself. It is one thing to hold one’s tongue from saying something knowingly wrong or evil; but according to this principle, I would be as worried about the root of the word I didn’t speak as I am about the consequences of actually speaking that word – for if I have to hold back some evil overflow from my own heart, than I have much deeper concerns than mere offense of speaking that evil. If I am truly being transformed into the image of Christ, then I need to be consciously aware of identifying and rooting out all such iniquities in my heart, so that what overflows from my heart to my mouth is not the iniquity of fallen man, but the love of the risen Christ.

⁴⁷ I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Luke 6:47-48 (NIV)

If nothing else, the truth of these two verses is my testimony these past several months. I can attest: the storms do come. The floods rise. The torrents will strike the house. But when that house is dug deep into, and built with a foundation upon, the Rock of Christ, it will not be shaken.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

The passages on the faith of the centurion today are powerful – especially his words in verse 7 – “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Can we learn something from the faith of the centurion in our lives today?

I think the extraordinary thing about the Centurion – the quality that amazed Jesus – whas his understanding of Jesus’ authority. The Centurion superimposed his worldly, militaristic understanding of order and authority onto his understanding of Jesus’ identity and position. By his words, the Centurion demonstrated his belief that Jesus had both physical and spiritual authority – in other words, he demonstrated his belief that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) and Emmanuel (God with us), for only God Himself has authority over the power of sickness and disease, and only God has the power to heal merely by will. Is not the story of the Centurion the very epitome of faith? Being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Two thoughts to take away from the story: first, that Godly principles can be understood by and observed in even ungodly people. Think of the principle of sowing and reaping. Some of the most generous people on the planet are non-Christians. Even though they may not know why or recognize God as the reason, they will still benefit from this principle by sowing generosity. Two: Christ acted in His authority when He walked the earth, and before he ascended, he transferred to His followers the authority by which He carried out His ministry. What a great responsibility we now have, to use that authority for His purpose! (Caveat: this teaching can be taken too far. Clearly, we don’t have all of Jesus’ authority; for He still alone has the authority to forgive sins. We are not the High Priest, but Christ – and we are His priesthood.) The authority Jesus has given us is yet another stewardship: we pray directly to God, but only in the name of Jesus. We carry out the message and ministry of reconciliation, but only the Spirit has the power to draw the lost back into redemption. We cast out demons, but only because they are subject to the authority of Christ.

The flip side, though, is that because of that authority, we do not have to fear or subject ourselves to the spiritual forces of the evil one. We have the authority to rebuke Satan, and through the Spirit, the power to stand firm against his attacks.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 2, Deuteronomy 3
NT: Luke 6:12-38
Ps: Psalm 67
Pr: Proverbs 11:27

Today´s notable verse:

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

Today we get another Godly principle, and some Godly wisdom. The principle: “for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When I judge, I am likewise judged. When I condemn, I am likewise condemned. (For I am deserving of both.) However, when I am merciful and forgive, then I am shown mercy and forgiven. And the wisdom (from verse 31): “do to others as you would have them do to you.” Another way of thinking would be, “do to others as you would have God do to you” – since that is the practical application of this wisdom. God does not promise that others will treat us as we treat them or has how we would have them treat us. He does, however, promise to measure out to us according to the way we measure out to others – and He promises that the measure He gives us in return will be in proportion, exceedingly greater than that which we measured out. This idea is great to think about with respect to good things like mercy and giving – but it is downright dreadful to consider with respect to the bad things we mete out, such as judgement, condemnation, and unforgiveness!

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Every time I read about Jesus’ calling of the apostles, I always think about myself. What would I have done if I was called by Jesus to be an apostle back then? What would I do if I was called to follow Jesus in this way today? What would you do? Would you leave everything behind and follow Jesus?

I know that I have been called, and every day I learn more and more what it means to “leave everything” for the sake of following Christ. I have even faced – and accepted – the possibility that God could be calling me to a single life. And I know beyond a doubt that, though it would take God’s help and strength every day, I am willing to sacrifice even the greatest desire of my heart – to be a husband and a father – if Christ calls me to do so.

I want God’s will for my life. I want God to accomplish His plan through me. More than anything, I want to hear on that last day, “well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to face eternity as Paul did: in the full assurance that I have run my race completely and successfully. Nothing in this present would could so captivate me that I would rather cling to it than receive my reward from God. I have given up family and friends to be where God has placed me – and with a calling to full-time missions, I expect that situation to be a continual one. I stake no claim of ownership of my “stuff”, but choose to view myself merely as the steward of them that I am. My very life means nothing to me, except that it be used for God’s purpose. And if my life is taken from me in the course of serving my God, then what I have gained will far surpass what I otherwise might have considered as lost. But, I cannot lose what is not mine – and I have chosen to give my life to Christ.

Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 36, Deuteronomy 1
NT: Luke 5:29-39, Luke 6:1-11
Ps: Psalm 66
Pr: Proverbs 11:24-26

Today´s notable verses:

¹⁶ Come and listen, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹ but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.

Psalm 66:16-19 (NIV)

Now here’s a reality check for effective prayer: am I harboring or cherishing any sin in my heart when I pray? If so, God certainly will not listen! Contrition and confession of sin are so vital to a right relationship with God, and are absolutely necessary if we are to have any kind of power in our prayer life. Note also that David is not simply praying to God; he is crying out to Him, and praising Him! Most of my prayer is silent, but I think I need to practice more spoken prayer.

²⁴ One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
²⁵ A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

More on these verses when I get caught up on my Crown homework postings, since this week we discussed giving. I’ll just point out here that God is revealing another of His principles. Just as we reap what we sow, when we sow generosity we reap blessing.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from You & Question of the Day – (random tangential questions here based on this awesome image above… 🙂 How often do you give hugs? Who was the last person you gave a hug to? Can you give someone a hug today? Do you think giving hugs (or receiving hugs) is important? Are hugs Biblical? 🙂 (okay, now I’ve gotten silly, but what do you think – can you think of some hugs in the Bible??)

Hugging is important – nothing can quite replace a genuine, heartfelt hug. There are days when what I most need is a hug. Obviously, I tend to be a hugger. I hug all my friends – even the males, and I don’t cop out with a “guy hug”. Real men are comfortable enough with themselves to be able to show affection to one another. I probably tend to hug my male friends more than my female friends, if for no other reason so as not to give even an appearance of impropriety. I wonder how, when Paul exhorts in several of his letters to “greet one another with a holy kiss” that we could even think that a hug is somehow inherently un-biblical? Of course, then intention behind the hug could be impure – but that is true about the intention behind just about anything. But to the pure, all things are pure (Titus 1:15).

Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 33:40-56, Numbers 34, Numbers 35
NT: Luke 5:12-28
Ps: Psalm 65
Pr: Proverbs 11:23

Today´s notable verse:

²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” ²¹ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” ²² Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ²⁴ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ²⁵ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. ²⁶ Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Luke 5:20-26 (NIV)

Jesus here very clearly demonstrates that He is God. What the Pharisees say is true: none but God can forgive sin. But note that Jesus doesn’t merely claim deity; He demonstrates it by healing the man. Jesus also demonstrates here that He is ultimately concerned with spiritual healing, even while He provides physical healing. Much more beneficial to the man lying on the mat in this story is his spiritual well-being, and it is this need that Jesus first addresses. Because of his faith, his sins are forgiven him. This spiritual healing benefits the man. His physical healing also benefits the man, but Jesus uses it to honor Himself as God and to bring glory to the Father by demonstrating his power, love, and compassion.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Psalm 65 has some amazing verses about nature! …When is the last time you have been inspired to shout for joy to God for the beautiful sunset he created? …When is the last time you have stood in complete silence before God because of his beautiful Creation?

I have always found nature – God’s creation – to be incredibly inspiring. Sometimes I am inspired to act, and other times I am inspired in complete silence and stillness. Though there are moments of the former (a particularly glorious daybreak that compels me to worship, usually in song), it is the latter in which I usually find myself inspired by nature. Somehow, actions or words seem likely to spoil the moment, to adulterate the experience, and to detract from awe and glory of God in which I find myself. I would much rather still myself and comtemplate and meditate upon the great and awesome God we serve – powerful and imaginative enough to create our universe, yet caring and considerate enough to create the universe in such a way to meet our every need and provide for our benefit and enjoyment.

Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 32, Numbers 33:1-39
NT: Luke 4:31-44, Luke 5:1-11
Ps: Psalm 64
Pr: Proverbs 11:22

Today´s notable verse:

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:11 (NIV)

Wow, talk about dropping everything in an instant and following Christ! Now, I don’t think that this verse implies that Peter, James, and John simply abandoned their responsibilities to follow Christ. Perhaps they handed over operation of the fishing business to subordinates, or sold their interests. Regardless of the specific details, they left behind everything they had known previously, and pursued Christ wholeheartedly. We are called to this same level of devotion.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from You & Question of the Day – Do you believe that Jesus still calls his followers to be fishers of people today? Are you a fisher of people? How are you fishing for people for the Lord in your life today?

Jesus’ ministry was always – and will always be – about people. God’s great plan was always for the reconciliation of His people with Himself. Thus, as we actively carry out the ministry of Christ, we are ministers of reconciliation:

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

II Corinthians 5:18-21 (NIV)

Thus, we are still in the business of “catching men”. Or, more correctly, we are the net, and the Spirit uses us to catch men.

Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 30, Numbers 31
NT: Luke 4:1-30
Ps: Psalm 63
Pr: Proverbs 11:20-21

Today´s notable verse:

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:13 (NIV)

“Until an opportune time” – doesn’t Satan do the same thing with us, even today? That Satan waits for an “opportune time” is all the more reason that the little things – the seemingly unimportant events, the apparently insignificant decisions – are so very critical. Satan crouches outside the door, waiting for an opening; he prowls about as a lion, seeking one vulnerable to be devoured. We must constantly be on guard – not against frontal attacks from without, but against any sign of compromise from within.

It all starts with but a thought: whether as a result of our own iniquity, or planted intentionally by Satan. Christ commands us to take captive every thought, and make it obedient to Him. In so doing, we deny even the seed of an opportunity to be planted through which Satan might tempt us.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from You & Question of the Day – When faced with temptation in your life, have you ever brought to mind the Word of God? Did this change things? Do you believe that the Word of God can help us combat temptation in our life?

What else can we use with sucess other than the Word of God? God is so gracious to me, in that His Spirit brings to mind a verse or passage or word at just the right time: to combat a temptation, or to encourage a brother, or whatever the circumstance. God bringing to my mind His Word results from spending hours studying His Word, and seeking to understand and apply it to my life. I am blessed that I have parents who instilled in me both the discipline and love of studying the Word.

Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 28:16-31, Numbers 29
NT: Luke 3:23-38
Ps: Psalm 62
Pr: Proverbs 11:18-19

Today´s notable verse:

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

I love the imagery of pouring out my heart to God! God wants authenticity, not formality. God wants us to be real with him – sincere, honest, and open. He wants us to be ourselves with Him. God does not want our “prayer language” but the innermost thoughts and desires of our heart.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Today in Proverbs chapter 11 verse 18 we read – “who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Are you sowing righteousness in your life? How are you sowing righteousness in your life? Do you love others at the same level you love yourself? Are you working diligently for your employer? Are you serving the poor? Do you believe that the farming analogy of sowing and reaping in this Proverb is true? And like any good farming analogy, will you patiently sow and patiently await the time of reaping?

The principle of reaping what we sow is undoubtedly true. This verse is a very good reminder to be intentional about what I am sowing, and to be thankful to God for His grace in working through what I sow.