Jealousy

1 Samuel 18-19

Saul was so jealous that he wanted to kill David.  David’s only crime was that the Lord was with him, and he behaved wisely.  The people loved him and flocked to him because of it.  But Saul had made his choices of disobedience, and the Spirit of the Lord was departed from him.  If I am in a right relationship with God, I will not be jealous and envious of other people.  If the Lord is using them, then I will rejoice.  We can have sweet fellowship, as David did with Jonathan.  But when I have walked away from God’s Will, I open myself up to the temptation and snare of the devil.  I will become jealous of the success of others, even if it is in the ministry.  In the church age we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who works in our lives.  He will not leave me as He did Saul.  However, I can walk away from His leading and choose my own will over His Will.  At that time I cease to be in fellowship with the Spirit, and I can become jealous.

Lord, help me never to become jealous of another’s “success” in ministry.  Help me always to rejoice at spiritual victories won, whether  by me or someone else.  Use me to do thy will, and don’t let a jealous spirit get in the way.

The Word is Close

Deuteronomy 29:9  Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

We are commanded to keep the words of the covenant (specifically written to Israel, but application to believers keeping the Word of God).  The question that must then be answered is “Where is this Word?”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14   For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.  12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

The answer is that the Word is close, near, accessible.  No one is without excuse.  It is not hidden, difficult to attain, and no mediator is necessary.  God has given us His Word, it is near, even in our mouths, and we are to keep it. 

“Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings consequences.”

Don’t be discouraged

“And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”  (Numbers 21:4)

The children of Israel took their eyes off the Lord and focused on their circumstances, and it discouraged them.  I will be discouraged in the transition to Brooklyn if I focus on the way.  But if I delight in the Lord, and draw my joy and strength from Him, then I will not be discouraged.   May I be like David in the midst of hard times – “…but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Sam. 30:6)

The Ribbon of Blue, The Call to Service, The Veil is Rent

The ribbon of blue and the fringes on the garments were to be a perpetual reminder to remember the commandments of the Lord, to not seek after their own heart and eyes, and fall into idolatry.  When you see the ribbon, remember, and obey (Num.15:38-41).  I never knew this was for all of Israel before.

Numbers 16:9  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

I must remember not to take it lightly that the Lord has chosen to accept us into His service and His ministry.  It is all of the Lord and none of me, and I must remember my place and not allow myself to be puffed up in pride and assumption.  (This is the passage on Korah’s rebellion).

Mark 15:15  And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

This illustrates the danger of making decisions based on pressure, or giving in to peer pressure.  Pilate, willing to make the people happy sacrificed the Lord of glory to be crucified.  While this was part of God’s ultimate plan to provide salvation to all men, Pilate was still guilty of allowing it to come to pass, just as Judas was still guilty for betraying Him.

Mark 15:37-39  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.  38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.  39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Some powerful verses!  Jesus’ willing death opened the veil for me to have access to God anytime without going through a mediator as a believer-priest.  Say with the centurion, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Is the Lord’s hand short?

As I ponder this seemingly difficult task of moving from Virginia Beach to Brooklyn, when we have no job and no apartment lined up, and yet we have to give notice to vacate here, I am overwhelmed.  It is just…impossible (or so it seems).  How can it be done?  How do we know when  we are to go if we don’t have a job yet?  How in the world can we come up with three months rent for a security deposit when the rent is somewhere around $1500 per month?  That’s more than the down payment my parents made on their first house!  Don’t worry…I am still excited and overjoyed that we are going. It’s just that we are now down to the nitty gritty details.

It was from this overwhelmed and questioning mindset that I came to my devotions yesterday.  I started reading in Numbers 11.  This is what verse 23 says, and this is what God whispered to my heart…

“And the LORD said unto Moses,
Is the LORD'S hand waxed short?
thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.”

A resounding NO!  God’s hand is not shortened.  My God is the same powerful God of the Israelites, Who parted the Red Sea and gave manna in the wilderness.  He slew the giant for David, walked with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and protected Daniel from the lions.  He died for me on Calvary and rose from the grave three days later.  No…the Lord’s hand is not waxed short.  I can’t wait to see what He will do to bring His Word to pass in our lives.  I am reminded of the words from the song Grace, “His Will cannot lead me where His grace will not keep me.”   

“…Fear ye not,
stand still,
and see the salvation of the LORD,
which he will shew to you to day…”
(Exodus 14:13)

Profane not the LORD

Leviticus 18:21 “… neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.”

Leviticus 19:8  because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD:

Leviticus 19:12  And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 20:3  And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

Leviticus 21:6  hey shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

Leviticus 21:12   Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21:23  Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.

Leviticus 22:2   Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 22:9  They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

Leviticus 22:15  And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD;

Leviticus 22:32  Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you,

ll;x' {khaw-lal'} = Meaning:  1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, to treat as common

I think that God was serious when He said that we are not to profane His name or His holy things, or that which He has hallowed/sanctified.  Which makes me think…Christians are in the process of this thing we call sanctification.  It is a work of the Holy Spirit, to make us more like the image of Christ.  So if God is sanctifying me, as a person, then I am not to profane myself.  I am to walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15) and not conform myself to the world (Rom. 12:2).  We just studied this in BSF last week from John 15.  The world will hate Christians as it hated Christ.  Why?  Because we do not belong to the world.  We are not to be like the world…even to win them to Christ.  James 1:27 states that “pure religion…[is] unspotted from the world.”  Anytime I let a little bit of the world…even just a speck of dust or a touch of dirt…profane my life as a Christian, I am hurting Christ and hurting the reputation of my God – the LORD, the self-existing one.  These are just the references to profaning the LORD.  I must be more careful – not to let a bad word, an evil or hateful thought, a selfish desire, an unkind word or action, defile and profane me as the sanctified of the Lord.  For when I am profane, then I have profaned Him as well, for I bear His name.

And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.  24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. 26  And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.  (Leviticus 20:23-24,26  )

Feb. 26, 2010 Devotions

Today is my 28 month wedding anniversary.  I said it to Ben first…winning for the first time in a while.

Mark 7:6-9  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.  9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

The Lord is using this to point some sin in my life.  I just prayed and asked Him to this morning.  In many areas I am a hypocrite, honoring God with my lips but my heart is far from Him.  In so many things I give lip service, yet my heart is not right.  Specifically He has been working on me lately regarding my attitude toward the brethren.  I go to church with an unloving spirit,  a complaining heart, a critical attitude.  Even if I don’t agree with every practice, method, sermon, song, etc. I can go and show love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  They may not be perfect.  They may say things that hurt me, or do things that alarm me or shock me or hurt me.  But I must forgive, and I must love.

It reminds me of a quote by Charles Spurgeon that I used to have on my refrigerator (perhaps I should put it up again):

“He who grows in grace remembers that he is but dust, and he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more. He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case. He does not expect perfection in the creature, and, therefore, he is not disappointed when he does not find it.” ~Charles Spurgeon

I have also been feeling convicted about honesty.  I am prone to exaggeration, which some excuse as easily as a “little white lie.”  (I wonder do we call it white because we do not consider it to be sin, and therefore black?)  I was upset when Dad told me to leave the purchase price of the car blank so that the new buyer could decide how much they want to pay taxes on.  But yet I don’t want to claim the income from selling the car on my taxes.  That is hypocritical.  I need to be honest and upright in every area of my life.

Feb. 23, 2010 Devotions – He Marvelled Because of Their Unbelief

Mark 6:5-6  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

It must have been very great unbelief in order to cause Jesus to marvel at it.  I wonder…has He ever had to marvel at unbelief in my life?  He shows Himself strong, He answers prayer, He provides needs, He gives direction, He is so good to me all of the time.  How do I respond?  Is it with greater faith, and greater works?  I have the Holy Spirit in my life.  John 14 promises that I should do greater works.  But what is my response?  Unbelief?  Refusal to pray?  An attitude of self-sufficiency?  Unwilling to deflect the glory to the right Person?  Surely, considering the many things He has done in me, for me, and to prove Himself to me, He must marvel sometimes at my lack of faith and trust and dependence on Him.  In Mark 6, He was in His own country – Galilee – these people had watched Him grow up.  They knew Him.  Yet they were unbelieving.  I do not want this to be the case in my life.  I do not want to know of Him, and not know Him (experientially).  When I know of Him, it should increase my thirst and desire to know Him more…in full reality.

Mark 6:31 teaches that those who have been ministering need to take a rest sometimes and refuel.

Feb. 22, 2010 Devotions – Help My Unbelief

Leviticus 10:10  And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

While I may not “be” holy as God is, yet He looks upon me as holy when He sees Jesus Christ.  I am to live a “holy” life before Him, and before others, that they may see a difference between the holy and the unholy.

Mark 4:40 “And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”  This is what Jesus said to His disciples just after the storm.  He was in the boat with them the entire time, yet they thought that they were about to perish, and awoke Him in fear.  Sometimes this idea of living in Brooklyn, of moving, of making it financially, of raising a family in the City, of being a Pastor’s wife, make me very fearful.  Like giants of doubt and failure breathing down upon me.  And what is His response (when I finally bring my burden to His feet)?  “Why are you so fearful?  Where is your faith?”  I pray with the man of Mark 9:24 - “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”  I want to have stronger faith.  I want to trust my Lord and rely upon His promises…as a way of life and not just as a last resort.  Lord – help my unbelief!

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Feb. 19, 2010 Devotions

Mark 3:35 - 4:1 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. 

What a privilege to be related to the God of the universe – the self-existing One!  I am His child by adoption, I am the sister of Christ by His blood, and I am in His family if I do the Will of God.

Mark 4:20-25  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.  21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?  22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.  23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.  24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.  25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

I want to be that good ground upon which the Word of God can fall, and bring forth fruit.  I know that this parable speaks of salvation by the Word, but there is application to a saved person hearing the Word.  Oh Lord – what kind of ground am I?  Am I in the hand of Satan, allowing him to pluck the Word out of my heart?  Am I easily offended and weak so that I can not endure tribulation?  Am I allowing worldly affections to choke your Word?  I want it to fall on supple soil ready for planting that will yield fruit an hundred fold.

Feb. 18, 2010 Devotions

Mark 3:25 “…if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”  It is vital for my children and my ministry that I be united and one with Ben.  Our home will not last if I am working against him.

NYC or Bust!

We have been struggling with our decision regarding New York City.  Today Ben came home and told me that he thinks we should go.  Focusing on finances does not increase our faith.  We have been concerned with how to get there, rather than should we be going.  Yes.  We are going.  Tell me – what is impossible when God is on your side?  He is leading us there.  He has opened the door.  He will have to provide the means for us to live in the city.  I know God can do it… “But as for God, His way is perfect!”

Mark 3:4-5   And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.  5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Oh how sad it must make God when we harden our hearts in stubbornness and unbelief.  It angers Him and breaks His heart at the same time.  Lord, please keep me tender toward you!

Prayer

Daily Devotions Feb. 16, 2010

Mark 1:34-37  And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.  35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.  36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.  37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

These verses need no other commentary.  They are a peek into the personal prayer life of Jesus Christ.  He has been serving and healing and working miracles – pouring Himself out to the people.  He Himself, yet being God, needed to replenish His spiritual life through prayer alone.  So He arose early and spent time with the Father.  He refueled, and then He was ready when the disciples came to Him and notified Him of the waiting crowds.  I cannot give to others what I do not possess myself.

Feb. 15, 2010 Devotions

President’s Day

Mark 1:7  And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

John was a humble man and recognized his place in comparison with his Lord.

Mark 1:16-18   Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.  18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

The disciples immediately left their former lives of sin and followed Christ.  What remnant of my former life is still apparent?  Do I have vestiges of the sinful me that I still indulge?  In what areas am I unwilling to forsake all and follow Christ?

Feb. 14, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 35:21  And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Exodus 35:22  And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.

Exodus 35:25-26  And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.  26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.

Exodus 35:29  The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Exodus 35:34-35  And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.  35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

Exodus 36:5-7   And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.  6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.  7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

God always provides for His work, and He does it through those who have a willing and wise heart.  Would to God that we had the problem of 36:5-7 in our churches today and regarding foreign missions!

 

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Feb. 12, 2010 Devotions

Another double day.  Busy with BSF yesterday.

Exodus 32 – the golden calf

vs. 20 – there are always consequences for sin, even if we repent, and even after God has forgiven us.

Praise the Lord for Moses who acted as an intercessor on behalf of the children of Israel, that God did not destroy them in His anger.  Who am I bringing before the Lord, pleading that He give them another opportunity to turn to Him, or to accept Him?  We see illustrated here the vitality and influence of the intercessor.

Exodus 33:13-17 “ Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.  14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.  15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.  16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.  17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”

What a precious promise regarding the presence of the Lord!

Exodus 34:6-7 “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

What a description of the Lord I serve!

Feb. 10, 2010 Devotions

Matthew 25:31-36
Never underestimate the importance of hospitality or ministry to the brethren.  It is the same as ministering to Christ Himself, and he places great importance on it.

Matthew 26:1-13
Sometimes it is the one who seems least important, or little educated, or small that is the one who really “gets it.”  The disciples had been with Jesus for three years – listening to Him, living with Him, eating with Him.  Yet they didn’t understand that He would die.  Mary, a quiet woman who opened her home to Jesus, listened with her heart and God opened her understanding, and she anointed Him against His burial.  I’m sure the disciples discounted her.  “She’s just a hostess” or “just a woman.”  But she is the one who was honored because she actually listened to and understood the words of Jesus.

Matthew 26:33-35
I am so glad that the Lord chose Peter to be a disciple – it means there is hope for me!  Good ole’ Peter was convinced that he would never deny the Lord.  I stick my foot in my mouth and make assumptions of my actions as he did.  Yet when he repented, the Lord used him in a mighty way at Pentecost.

Exodus 29:45-46  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.  46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

Ex. 31:29 – Interesting that whatever touched the sanctified objects would be hold, instead of the unclean making the clean unclean.

Exodus 31
What an honor for Bezaleel to be chosen by the Lord for the work of the tabernacle, and to be filled with the spirit of God for the work.  Has God chosen us for the work in NYC?  Is He filling us with His Spirit to complete the task?

Feb. 9, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 28 – Instructions for the High Priest’s Garments & Work

How wonderful it is that I can come before the Lord without the mediating work of a High Priest!  I have the Best High Priest – Jesus Christ the Son of God.  In vs. 29 Aaron was to bear the names of the twelve tribes into the throne room of God.  Christ bore my name before God the Father when I accepted Him as my Savior.  Now I bear His name and I have access to the Holiest at any time, from any place.  Praise the Lord for my High Priest who offered Himself as one sacrifice for sins forever and finished the work of salvation!

Feb. 6, 2010

Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Exodus 23:30 – we follow the Lord’s will, and obtain victory, little by little. 

Exodus 25 – the people were to bring the necessary items to make and furnish the tabernacle.  Moses was to accept these items “of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart” (vs.2).  When we give to the Church, it should be willingly and from the heart – whether time, service, or money.  God is only interested in genuine gifts, not forced giving.

Feb. 5, 2010

Elaine is three months old today.

Matthew 24:1-28 – signs of end time events.

Even so come, Lord Jesus

Feb 4, 2010 Devotions

This is a double day, because I missed my Bible reading yesterday.

Exodus 18:11  Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Could this be a reference to the fact that God showed Himself strong by attacking the various gods of Egypt?  I.e., He showed His power over the sun god by the plague of darkness, etc.?  Moses had just finished rehearsing the Egyptian plagues to Jethro when Jethro made the statement in vs. 11.

Exodus 20
The children of Israel were blessed to have contact and communication with God through the persons of Moses first, and later the priest.  How much more blessed am I to have direct access to God as a believer-priest.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Feb. 2, 2010 Devotions

Just to clarify, I am on the One Year Bible reading schedule.  I am reading the OT & NT daily, in addition to BSF.  I will figure out Psalms and Proverbs later.

 

Exodus 16:32 – the Lord commanded to keep a pot of manna to show to future generations so that they would know what He had done for His people.  I need to show my children what the Lord has done for our family.

God will always provide for His children.  A tree made the waters sweet.  Moses’ rod brought water from the rock.  Manna fell to the earth daily.  Why take ye thought for the morrow?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 22:31-32 “… have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,  32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”  Praise the Lord that He has made me alive in Christ!

February 1, 2010 Devotions

The Red Sea Miracle

Exodus 14:10-14  “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.  11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?  12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.  13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.  14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

When my circumstances seem impossible, and I cannot see the way out, when my heart is fearful and I feel alone, let me cry out to the LORD.  Only let me not cry with a complaining spirit and a heart critical of God’s design as Israel did.  Let me cry out in dependence and trust.  And let me take my hands off, let me stand still, and let God show His saving arm as He fights for me.

Exodus 14:31  And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15:11  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Matthew 21:23-46 – The Parable of the Wicked Husbandman

The unbelief of Israel always amazes me.  I know it shouldn’t, because so many times I am unbelieving also.  But the words of Jesus here caught my attention -
vs. 37: “ But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.”  How it must hurt the heart of God when anyone rejects Him!  But especially one of His chosen people.  He had given them the promises.  His prophets.  His words.  And last of all He sent unto them His Son, and they did not reverence Him.  They rejected Him.  Then vs. 45-46:  “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.  46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.”   In the end, they realized that Jesus was speaking of them.  That He was offering them the Kingdom, but because of their rejection He was going to take it away and offer it to the Gentiles.  Even then they hardened their hearts and rejected Him the more.  How tragic.  Do I do this in my life?  Not with salvation perhaps, but with His gifts?  His Word?  His promises?  His expectations?  His fellowship?  How many times do I reject Him, and yet expect Him to continue to offer these things? 

January 31, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 13

Exodus 13:3  for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place:

Exodus 13:8  And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:9  And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:14  By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Exodus 13:16  And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

The LORD does so much for us by strength of hand, to show Himself strong on our behalf.  Do I even notice when His hand is working around me?  Or am I blind, until I am overwhelmed and finally come to Him, laying my burden at His feet.  In weakness I cry, “Lord, work on my behalf.  I cannot do it alone.  I need you.”  And then He tenderly responds, “I have been working.  Didn’t you see my hand in your circumstances?  I have been waiting for you to bring this to me.  Why did you try to bear it on your own?  Stand back, and watch me work in strength, and do not forget what I do for you.  Teach it to your children.”  Oh, I pray that my children will recognize His hand sooner and easier than I do!

Matthew 21:22 ties right in with this - “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Specific prayer requests -

1. Unmistakable Holy Spirit guidance regarding NYC – for me and for Ben.
2. Wisdom regarding dropping our health care coverage, or that Ben can add us to his policy without a waiting period.
3. Health, especially for Elaine, during the month without health care coverage.

January 30, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 10:2  “And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.”

We are supposed to tell our children the things which God has done in our lives, so that they can see and believe that He is God.  What an awesome responsibility!  Even a child as young as Elaine can intake the Scripture and the things of God.  What a great opportunity I have – a sponge in my own home!  I get to saturate her and shape her world view from God’s eyes.  I must ask the Lord to guide me and Ben as we raise our children for the Lord.

Matthew 20:1-20 – the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  The ones who had worked all day were upset that they were paid the same amount as those who worked but an hour.  But is not God just in all that He does?  Do I have any right to look at others around me and say, “That’s not fair.”  Or, “Why were they chosen and not me?”  Or, “Why do they get the spotlight?  I’m a better person.”  I know I struggle with this at church many times.  It used to be about piano playing, but I learned not to be jealous over that in my Hymn Playing class at ABC.  Now I am jealous for my husband, because I think he is a better person or more qualified than some other men in the church.  And yet the others seem to get recognized by the Pastor or commended from the pulpit, or lifted up as godly.  I must trust that the Lord knows what He is doing, and if others seem to get more honor or opportunity, it is because He has designed it so.  I must not complain that He is not fair and just, for He is.

January 29, 2010 Devotions

 

Exodus 8:10 b: “…that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.”  How true it is that I serve a God unlike any other!  He is good, loving, patient, kind, yet He is holy, just, and true.  I want it to be true, as did Moses, that those around me can know – by looking at my life – that there is none like unto the LORD my God.

While I'm sure it was hard for the Israelites to be in bondage in Egypt, God was using even that for good.  Had they not been in bondage, there would have been no signs before Pharaoh as Moses entreated for their release.  But what was the purpose of the signs before Pharaoh?  To show that there is none like Him in all the earth!  He showed Himself to Pharaoh and gave him the opportunity to repent, but Pharaoh hardened His heart.  I may be going through something unpleasant, or undesirable, or even tragic, but the LORD can and will use it in the lives of those around me to show that there is none like Himself.  What an awesome God I serve!

But sometimes the trials and circumstances in my life may be for my own benefit, as in Matthew 14:23-34.  The disciples were sent into the storm to test and prove their faith.  Jesus showed His power and then asked, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  They had forgotten so soon Who their Master was, but He came to them walking on the water.  Even in the darkest times of life, Jesus is there beside me, watching over me, protecting me, and growing my faith.

Exodus 8:19 b: “…This is the finger of God…”  What an awesome thought.  The Egyptian magicians looked at what God had done, and they knew it was God who had done it.  They saw the finger of God at work around them.

Exodus 8:23 – there should be a notable difference between the people of God and the people of the world.

Matthew 16:24-26  “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”