Tag: Devotions

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 17:8-15, Exodus 18, Exodus 19:1-15
NT: Matthew 22:34-46, Matthew 23:1-11
Ps: Psalm 27:7-14
Pr: Proverbs 6:27-35

Today´s notable verse:

³⁷ Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Here it is: the summation, completion, and perfection of the Law; the Ultimate Standard to which we are to strive. The Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law were but a shadow of this Perfect Law, pointing us to it and to the One who would fulfill it. The Law says “you shall have no other gods before me,” but Love says “I am so consumed by you that nothing else compares or even matters.” The Law says, “do not kill,” but Love says, “I give my life for you.” The Law hopes for the Messiah to whom the Law pointed, but Love came to earth, died, rose to life, ascended to heaven, and sent us his Spirit, through whom we also live and love.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – …are there any “religious things” that we do in our life just for “show”? Just so that others will honor us? I think this is such a fine line and something that we have to monitor all of our lives. Are you monitoring yourself when it comes to your faith to make sure you are not doing anything for “show” or for the wrong reasons? Have there been times in your past where you have done things just for “show” when it comes to your faith?

I’ve never been one to do anything – with respect to my faith or otherwise – for “show”. In a world where perception is reality, I consider myself blessed that God has instilled in me the principle that He judges the heart of man – attitude and intention – and that I am to be guided by my conscience. I do not attend church to “put in an appearance.” I abhor the idea of feeling compelled to put money in the offering collection in order to give the appearance of giving. I always try to judge whether my intent in an action is to honor God or to recieve myself the honor due Him from others. I really prefer to be the “guy behind the guy” – a position from which I can truly make a contribution and a difference, without the pressure or temptation of receiving praise for my effort. I try always to take the attitude of humility when I am tempted to despise a lack of recognition for something I’ve done, choosing instead to look forward to the recognition I hope to receive before the throne. In the end, these seven words are all I hope for: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 15:19-27, Exodus 16, Exodus 17:1-7
NT: Matthew 22:1-33
Ps: Psalm 27
Pr: Proverbs 6:20-26

Today´s notable verse:

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

Exodus 15:27 (NIV)

Israel entered Egypt with 12 sons and 70 descendants altogether (Exodus 1:5). Do the twelve springs and seventy palm trees at Elim have any relationship – symbolic or otherwise – with Israel’s entourage, or are these two merely coincidental?

For many are invited, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:14 (NIV)

Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Matthew 22:30 (NIV)

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Matthew 22:21 (NIV)

A trio of difficult-to-comprehend teachings from Jesus. The first invokes the debate between free will versus predestination with respect to salvation. I think our discussion of God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is enlightening, and I think I can draw the same conclusion: God invites everyone to the marriage banquet, but only chooses those who would be chosen. What, though, to make of the man at the banquet without proper attire, who was thrown out?

The second teaching speaks to a question I have had regarding tithing; do I consider my actual income, or only my after-tax income, when deciding what my tithe is? It’s really only a theoretical question, because while what I give now is actually between the two, I believe I am being called to give a different amount that would exceed either – and what part of that is a tithe, and what part is an offering matters little compared to the gratitude in my heart to be able to give to God out of that with which He has blessed and to which He has entrusted me.

The third teaching deals with life after the resurrection, and how it will compare to our earthly lives with respect to marriage. Jesus’ teaching makes sense here in that, while in marriage the two become one flesh, the two remain two distinct spiritual beings. Of course, being able to make such a statement doesn’t imply that I fully grasp its meaning…

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

What a beautiful and powerful statement in witness to faith in God’s ability to overcome all circumstances!

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on God’s words about the Sabbath in our Exodus readings today, do you take a Sabbath? What do you do – or not do – on the Sabbath? Does it bless the other 6 days of your week? How long have you been in the habit of taking a Sabbath? Is it hard to get in the habit? Any other “tricks of the trade” you can share with all of us about taking a Sabbath?

For one, my employer knows that, for me, work and Sunday are mutually exclusive. My employment does not even exist in my mind on Sundays. Beyond that, I am unsure – being that I am single, saying that Sunday is a “family day” has little meaning. My normal church service is Saturday night, though I do still attend one of the Sunday morning services occasionally (especially weekends that I work one service with the pre-schoolers). I’m curious to see what everyone else has to say on the matter.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 13:17-22, Exodus 14, Exodus 15:1-18
NT: Matthew 21:23-46
Ps: Psalm 26
Pr: Proverbs 6:16-19

Today´s notable verse:

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

This verse reminds me of the words of Paul to the Ephesians:

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 5:13 (NIV)

It is encouraging to remember that it is the Lord who fights for us – when we are confronted by Satan or his evil schemes, our primary responsibility is to stand firm in our faith. It is the Spirit who contends for and through us. God demonstrated this principle to the Israelites as they were pursued by the Egyptians and hemmed in by the sea. God told them to be still, and in their faith, He delivered them. The same principle is still true for us today.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Back to my reflections above on music from the song in Exodus 15 …I guess I struggle with being in the world and not of the world – and what is the line of listening to / enjoying secular music, versus it literally being bad for you? Please let me know your thoughts on secular music – do you listen to it? Do you avoid it? Are you cautious about it in any way?

I think that one could make an analogy between secular versus Christian music, and Christ’s treatment of clean versus unclean food:

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ “…¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”

Matthew 15:10-19 (NIV)

What I mean is this: secular music is not inherently evil, just as “Christian” music is not inherently righteous. Either may affect us for good or for evil. Our conscience can and will – if we let it – guide us as to the “line”; though, in general, we should not pursue a “line” between righteous and sin, but should instead pursue holiness in all things. I will leave you with the following standard:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

I know lots of “secular” music that meets these criteria, and lots that doesn’t; at the same time, I can say the same thing for lots of “Christian” music.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 12:14-50, Exodus 13:1-15
NT: Matthew 20:29-34, Matthew 21:1-22
Ps: Psalm 25:16-22
Pr: Proverbs 6:12-15

Today´s notable verse:

²¹ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Matthew 21:21-22 (NIV)

Seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? Why is it so tough, though, in practical application? “If you have faith and do not doubt…”; “If you believe…” I am struck at how weak and pathetic we are, that cannot tap into this simple principle – but then, that is the key to allowing Christ in us to operate, isn’t it?

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – …How about you? Are there some goals and resolutions for 2006 that you feel like you might be behind on? Do you agree that reading from God’s Word each day and growing in your love relationship with God is more important than those goals and resolutions?

You know, I’ve not set “New Year’s” resolutions in a long time. My thinking is, if I decide I need to make a change in my life, or accomplish something, why should I wait until what is essentially an arbitrary day to start? “Now is the day of salvation; now is the time of God’s favor” (I Corinthians 6:2). “[Make] the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:16). I think that reading the Word each day and growing in my relationship with God are extremely important in part because they help reveal those changes in my life I need to make, and those things that I need to accomplish, according to God’s plan and will for my life.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 10, Exodus 11, Exodus 12:1-13
NT: Matthew 20:1-28
Ps: Psalm 25:1-15
Pr: Proverbs 6:6-11

Today´s notable verse:

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember be, for you are good, O Lord.

Psalm 25:7 (NIV)

Thank God that He is good, and that He chooses to see us not in our own sinfulness, but through Christ’s perfection!

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on the lesson from the ant in today’s Proverbs, how do you balance working hard in your life with getting proper rest and relaxation? How do you find the balance?

The balance of work and rest comes from the balance of three things: perspective, priorities, and discipline. I would elaborate, but I don’t have time this morning. 🙂

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 8-9
NT: Matthew 19:13-30
Ps: Psalm 24
Pr: Proverbs 6:1-5

Today´s notable verse:

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 9:16 (NIV)

God, through Moses, spoke these words to Pharaoh, whose heart was unyielding to the will of God; how much more, then, do these words apply to those of us who love Him? In Pharaoh’s case, God demonstrated His power to and against Pharaoh. Praise God that, for those of us who love Him, He demonstrates His power through us!

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 (NIV)

Maybe I’m exaggerating when I think that I have given up some of these things for Christ’s sake; but the greatest desire of my heart has always been to be a husband and a father. Words can’t express how happy I was to have in my life the woman I considered to be my future wife – and to consider her daughter my future daughter; nor how humbled and blessed I was to consider that God would so richly bless me. But I know that I’m pursuing God’s will for my life with all my heart, and in doing so, God will be faithful to give me the desires of my heart – desires that I know come from Him (Psalm 37:4). God’s will for my life is so much more important than even these desires, and I will continue to pursue the Giver of my heart’s desire, rather than those desires themselves. I know it’s nowhere near what the 12 disciples endured, but in my own way, I can empathize.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on the Proverbs verses going into debt, does anyone have debt-relief resources, websites or books you could share with everyone in the Comments section below? …I’ve often heard that it is wise to tithe 10% of income and save 10% of income with each check that comes in. What’s your reaction to this type of formula?

Being an engineer-type, I’m all for formulas; however, I believe God is Lord of our hearts, not our calculators. Certainly, the tithe is a well-established principle (and one to which I can attest personally); however, our giving (and our financial management in general) must come from a right attitude.

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

II Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

If we tithe or otherwise give out of a sense of “duty” or “following the formula” rather than out of a desire to bless the Lord who has provided for our needs, then what blessing will we receive from our giving?

But in answer to your question: yes, giving first to God, then setting aside some form of savings/investment, is wise. I’m starting a Community Life group on Finances at my church this week, based on Crown Financial Ministries resources, so I may have more to say on the topic over the next 12 weeks.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 5:22-23, Exodus 6, Exodus 7:1-24
NT: Matthew 18:23-35, Matthew 19:1-12
Ps: Psalm 23
Pr: Proverbs 5:22-23

Today´s notable verse:

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

I notice that David doesn’t say that life itself will always be easy, or happy, or good, etc.; but that goodness and love – God’s goodness and love – will follow him. Of course, this king who had written much of the past few Psalms about war, would know better than anyone the reality of life. However, as many of my experiences of the past several months have proven to me, life is hard, but God is still good. When I consider the fleeting nature of life – the good and the bad – compared to spending eternity dwelling in the house of the Lord, I find it much easier just to do what is right in the eyes of my Lord no matter what the consequences.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on the topic of divorce that comes up in today’s Matthew readings, please do share your wisdom / thoughts / books / websites / other resources on this topic.

Being still single, I really don’t have anything to add with respect to my own experience. Having just gotten out of an engagement, the whole subject is still a bit difficult to discuss anyway. Today was a good day for us to read Psalm 23.

Welcome Thousands and Millions to the OYB blogroll!

P.S. Shout out to Manchester! I was there during the Commonwealth Games in ’02 doing mission work though World Harvest Bible Church in Salford.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 4, Exodus 5:1-21
NT: Matthew 18:1-20
Ps: Psalm 22:19-31
Pr: Proverbs 5:15-21

Today´s notable verse:

¹¹ The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? ¹² Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Exodus 4:11-12 (NIV)

I am struck by the thought that Moses really wasted an opportunity here by appealing to God out of a desire to make excuses for and to rationalize not following God’s command, rather than out of a sense of humility toward his own ability. God still used Moses, to be sure – but what potential was lost for God to demonstrate His power through Moses even more? Even so, I love God’s response: I created your senses; am I not capable of using them for my purposes? Also, how often do I rely on God to help me speak and to teach me what to say in the circumstances in which I find myself daily?

¹⁹ “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)

What an amazing declaration of the power of but two believers standing in faith on God’s will!

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – With my thoughts above on the serious topic of sexual sin – does anyone have any resources, books, websites, that you can recommend to folks that are struggling with sexual temptation or sin? Have you seen people in your life be enslaved to sexual sin? Hopefully you have also seen people also be freed from that enslavement through Jesus? Do you think that sexual sin – lust, pornography, adultery, etc. – is a rampant issue in our society today? Do you think it’s worse now than the past? Or do you think sexual sin has always been an issue in the past and will be until Jesus returns again?

There are a lot of great books out there – some of which I’ll review when I get the opportunity. Sin is sin, to be sure – and all sin enslaves just as Christ redeems us from all sin. Yet, sexual sin is given special treatment in the Bible, since we sin against ourselves, and against the Spirit, since our bodies our His temple. Sex is so pervasive in our society today, but I think that sexaul sin has always been as rampant, if not always openly so. Consider that polygamy – as adultery, a form of sexual sin – was one of the first sins recorded in the Bible for Cain’s line of descent (Lamech), and sexual depravity was almost always indicative of the most perverse civilizations (e.g. Sodom). Remember, there is nothing new under the sun! Satan isn’t inventing new sins; just new ways to tempt and ensnare us in those sins.

Yesterday’s OYB reading led me to ask the question:

A thought occurs to me: what, exactly, does Jesus mean here by “cross”? What is it that we must take up in order to follow Him? I understand the denial of self, but what of the cross? The cross is a burden, a punishment, a symbol of sin; but do these things represent what Jesus calls us to “take up” in order to follow Him? Aren’t these the very things we give up to Him – the things He took upon Himself for us? So, if not these things, then what?

Commenter John responded:

16:24 Now the Lord Jesus plainly states what is involved in being His disciple: denial of self, cross-bearing, and following Him. To deny self is not the same as self-denial; it means to yield to His control so completely that self has no rights whatever. To take up the cross means the willingness to endure shame, suffering, and perhaps martyrdom for His sake; to die to sin, self, and the world. To follow Him means to live as He lived with all that involves of humility, poverty, compassion, love, grace, and every other godly virtue.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

(Emphasis added)

Interesting thought; this commentary seems to say that for one to “take up his cross” really means to take up the Cross of Christ. That is, we take on the same suffering Christ endured and die to the very things for which Christ died. What an interesting paradigm: Christ died for our sins, so likewise we die to our sins. Christ suffered for our sins so that we might live; likewise we suffer for the cause of Christ, that Christ may be glorified in our lives. Christ endured the pain, suffering, and punishment for our sins; we allow our own sinful nature to be changed into His likeness, and our iniquities to be eradicated and replaced with His Spirit. He chose to endure all in order to fulfill and perfect our faith; we choose to throw off every sin and hindrance that sets itself against us and we choose to have faith in the one who conquored that sin and shame.

You know, we really do get the good end of this deal!