1 Corinthians 16:8-9
But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
When there are many who oppose me, why don't I see it as a great door opened to me like Paul does here? In these times the tendency seems to be that having opposition is taken as a sign that God has closed a door. Somehow we have become programmed to think that way. Jesus even told us that in this world we will have troubles. He says we are blessed when we are persecuted and insulted for His name's sake. We are to consider it joy when we go through various trials because of what the testing of our faith produces. We seem to have exchanged The Comforter for living comfortably. I pray that I will be able to clearly see the diference between an opportunity for effective work in the midst of opposition and a closed door.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15:2 & 58
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
It is one thing to say I believe something. But if I do not live according to what I profess I believe, what is the point? My words are idle chatter and my stated belief is meaningless. Trusting in Jesus is really an all or nothing proposition. It cannot be a part way thing where I pick and choose the things I want or only act according to my belief when I see it is to my benefit. Once I've made the committment and taken a stand there should be nothing that can move me from it. The words ALWAYS and FULLY here really mean that. Often being extreme is not comfortable or popular. But when it is for the sake of Christ, it is never in vain.
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
It is one thing to say I believe something. But if I do not live according to what I profess I believe, what is the point? My words are idle chatter and my stated belief is meaningless. Trusting in Jesus is really an all or nothing proposition. It cannot be a part way thing where I pick and choose the things I want or only act according to my belief when I see it is to my benefit. Once I've made the committment and taken a stand there should be nothing that can move me from it. The words ALWAYS and FULLY here really mean that. Often being extreme is not comfortable or popular. But when it is for the sake of Christ, it is never in vain.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14
Judges 6:2
The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against Me that her own strength has saved her,..."
Gideon started with thirty-two thousand men to deliver God's people from Midian. But God wanted to make sure they all know their deliverance wasn't due to their own strength, but because of God. So through a couple of little tests the number of Gideon's men was reduced to only three hundred.
I always am fighting the between trying to really trust God or wanting to do things my way. How smart was it for Gideon to send away 31,700 troops and only use 300 men to defeat the Medianites? From a human perspective, not very. But that's only the case if you don't really trust God and believe He knows what He's doing. If I really believe God is in control then the most foolish thing to do is to use my own strength and understanding to resolve a crisis rather than to follow His leading.
The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against Me that her own strength has saved her,..."
Gideon started with thirty-two thousand men to deliver God's people from Midian. But God wanted to make sure they all know their deliverance wasn't due to their own strength, but because of God. So through a couple of little tests the number of Gideon's men was reduced to only three hundred.
I always am fighting the between trying to really trust God or wanting to do things my way. How smart was it for Gideon to send away 31,700 troops and only use 300 men to defeat the Medianites? From a human perspective, not very. But that's only the case if you don't really trust God and believe He knows what He's doing. If I really believe God is in control then the most foolish thing to do is to use my own strength and understanding to resolve a crisis rather than to follow His leading.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Judges 4-5; Psalm 39 & 41; 1 Corinthians 13
Psalm 39:4-5
Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Each man's life is but a breath.
Life is so short. It seems like only yesterday my oldest child was born and now she's already in high school. And there is no way over a quarter century has passed since I was in high scholl myself, is there? There are fewer years until I retire than there have been since I graduated from college. The days, the months, the years just keep clicking by. Have I already lived over half of my life yet? Yes, life is indeed fleeting and but a breath.
I really wonder how people cope with the shortness of life here on earth who don't have Christ and the hope of eternity. Wouldn't you expect them to treasure every moment even more if they think this life is all there is? I need to see those people around me and share with them the hope I do have.
Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Each man's life is but a breath.
Life is so short. It seems like only yesterday my oldest child was born and now she's already in high school. And there is no way over a quarter century has passed since I was in high scholl myself, is there? There are fewer years until I retire than there have been since I graduated from college. The days, the months, the years just keep clicking by. Have I already lived over half of my life yet? Yes, life is indeed fleeting and but a breath.
I really wonder how people cope with the shortness of life here on earth who don't have Christ and the hope of eternity. Wouldn't you expect them to treasure every moment even more if they think this life is all there is? I need to see those people around me and share with them the hope I do have.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Judges 1-3; 1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 12:31a
But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Because in proceeding verses it lists some of the gifts and says "first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers..." it was easy to assume that this meant the first on the list was the greatest gift and so on. But as I really look at the whole chapter I'm thinking that may not be the meaning of "greater" gifts. What if desiring the greater gifts simply means functioning to the fullest within the body of Christ in whatever role He has placed you and with which ever gift(s) He's blessed you. Desire to be what God desires you to be rather than seeking to become a part of the body you find more glamorous or honorable. God gives to each one of us as He determines because He knows what is needed to carry out His will and His work. When I place my own desire of being or doing something else above the role God has made just for me, I handicap the body. Does that mean I shouldn't ask for other gifts or want to be used in a different way? Of course not. But my focus always needs to remain on following God's design and desires for me.
But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Because in proceeding verses it lists some of the gifts and says "first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers..." it was easy to assume that this meant the first on the list was the greatest gift and so on. But as I really look at the whole chapter I'm thinking that may not be the meaning of "greater" gifts. What if desiring the greater gifts simply means functioning to the fullest within the body of Christ in whatever role He has placed you and with which ever gift(s) He's blessed you. Desire to be what God desires you to be rather than seeking to become a part of the body you find more glamorous or honorable. God gives to each one of us as He determines because He knows what is needed to carry out His will and His work. When I place my own desire of being or doing something else above the role God has made just for me, I handicap the body. Does that mean I shouldn't ask for other gifts or want to be used in a different way? Of course not. But my focus always needs to remain on following God's design and desires for me.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1 Conithians 11
Joshua 23:9-11
The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your God.
Again, Joshua recounts the story of God and His people before he dies. The people know all God has done for them and that He is on their side*. But they do have a responsibility to love and obey Him or His favor may be taken away.
It's not that there is a magic formula if I do "x" God will do "y" for me. It is more a matter of me having blessings when I am on God's side*. It's His nature to want to lavish His love on me when I follow Him. Not that I won't have problems or that everything in life will be smooth sailing. But when I stand in Him, I am never standing alone. He will fight for me. If He desires, He can drive the great and powerful out the land He wishes me to occupy. Hmmm. Be careful to love God and enjoy His blessings or turn away and be destined for disaster.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15b
The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your God.
Again, Joshua recounts the story of God and His people before he dies. The people know all God has done for them and that He is on their side*. But they do have a responsibility to love and obey Him or His favor may be taken away.
It's not that there is a magic formula if I do "x" God will do "y" for me. It is more a matter of me having blessings when I am on God's side*. It's His nature to want to lavish His love on me when I follow Him. Not that I won't have problems or that everything in life will be smooth sailing. But when I stand in Him, I am never standing alone. He will fight for me. If He desires, He can drive the great and powerful out the land He wishes me to occupy. Hmmm. Be careful to love God and enjoy His blessings or turn away and be destined for disaster.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15b
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10
Joshua 22:10-12
When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
Fortunately this misunderstanding was cleared up when the Israelites send a contingent to confront them on this. After talking with the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, they learned that the alter was to serve as a reminder and witness to future generations that the Lord is God. It wasn't to slight God or replace what God had established. Whew, war averted. Good thing they didn't shoot first and ask questions later.
Do I tend to gear myself up for "war" based on something I've heard about another person before I know the real circumstances? Do I accuse based on my perceptions of how something looks rather than seek to know the heart and intent of a brother or sister? Yes, I do have a responsibility to correct error and hold others accountable so they do not turn away from being faithful. But I need to respectfully seek them out in gentleness and engage in a dialogue that will help us understand each other and get on the same page of wanting to live in a way that honors God.
When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
Fortunately this misunderstanding was cleared up when the Israelites send a contingent to confront them on this. After talking with the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, they learned that the alter was to serve as a reminder and witness to future generations that the Lord is God. It wasn't to slight God or replace what God had established. Whew, war averted. Good thing they didn't shoot first and ask questions later.
Do I tend to gear myself up for "war" based on something I've heard about another person before I know the real circumstances? Do I accuse based on my perceptions of how something looks rather than seek to know the heart and intent of a brother or sister? Yes, I do have a responsibility to correct error and hold others accountable so they do not turn away from being faithful. But I need to respectfully seek them out in gentleness and engage in a dialogue that will help us understand each other and get on the same page of wanting to live in a way that honors God.
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