Gloating is fun ... but costly - Obadiah

As I write this I am recovering from a hard loss to an arch rival in our high school soccer program. Since we were supposed to be so good and they were supposed to be so poor, it was apparently a "shock" that we lost to them ... according to the paper. So, here we are, in the position of the gloated at. Those who are doing the gloated are rejoicing that we have "fallen" from the high rank that we had attained. The good news is the loss is the best thing that could have happened to us. The really good news is that in the past we have "gloated" at the loss of our opponents. We need to realize that this "gloating" either by us in the past or our opponent in the present is all seen by God and dispised by God. It couldn't be a more clear statement than Obadiah 12: "Do not gloat over your brother's day, the day of his misfortune. Yet, how many times do we do that. How many times do we rejoice with our enemy falls or those who are not members of our own cohort? Gloating over misfortune or pain or suffering or loss is not a Godly character quality. God is not pleased with any type of gloating. It pain's God to see the death of the loss. God does not take joy in the wicked's rejection of Him. He does rejoice that His plan is carreid out but gloating is not a Godly character quality. We would all benefit from learning how not to gloat ... of course, it is easier to say that after you lose than after you won.

Sharpen and chisel your friends - Proverbs 26-27

As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens, another. (27:17) A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. This proverb gives us insight on how our relationships with others are used to perfect us. The first line gives us a practical illustration of the truth of the second line. If you have ever seen a chef sharpen two knives you can get this illustration. The two bladed instruments are scraped together in a vigorous manner and both will never be the same as a result. The sounds of metal on metal may sound harsh, but the results are practical. Both are now ready for the job they were intended to perform. So too it is with us and our friends. God uses them to sharpen us and us to sharpen them. The contact is noisy at times. It may seem harsh, but the result (if we allow it to happen) is that we are better equipped for what God needs us to do for Him. The next time you are in conflict with someone ask yourself this question: Is God using this person to “sharpen” me so He can use me more fully? Iron sharpens iron!

How to properly construct a "Pay Back" - Psalms 114-116

Psalm 116:12 - "What shall I render to the for all His benefits toward me? The Psalmist asks a great question in this verse. How to you "pay back" God for all the benefits He has provided? How do you convey what all those benefits mean to us? I suppose the first step is to identify all of those benefits. We, at times, forget to "count" our many blessings and name them "one by one" as the old hymn states. Before he states this verse, the writer actually lists several of those benefits, 1). He hears us (v. 1); 2). God is gracious, righteous and compassionate toward us (v. 5). 3). God "preserves" us (v. 6). 4). Rescues our soul from death, our eyes from tears and our feet from falling (v. 8). 5). Accompanies us (v. 9). With so many benefits what shall we render to God? The writer actually answers that question in the next line: "I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." The Psalmist states that the way to "render" to God for all His benefits is to lift up the "cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." So, to "pay back" we are "lift up" the cup of salvation. What does that mean? Matthew Henry commentary states the following in regard to the cup: The pious Jews had sometimes a cup of blessing, at their private meals, which the master of the family drank first of, with thanksgiving to God, and all at his table drank with him. But some understand it not of the cup that he would present to God, but of the cup that God would put into his hand I would agree with the latter version of it. I believe we are to offer up what God has saved, the cup of salvation is us. He has saved us. The second line of the Hebrew poetry says I will "call upon the name of the Lord." This is highly personal language. I think what the writer is saying is that he will render to God himself and continue to allow God to rescue and save him. That is the way we render to God praise and render "pay back" for what He has done for us. We are not to think we get this salvation from God and then go on our marry way, saying a few thank you verses over our shoulder. We are to be like the leper in the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17. Only one came back to offer himself in thanksgiving. The others were too busy rejoicing over their "cleansing". In says in 17:15 that "one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, 'turned back', glorifying God with a loud voice. I think that is what the Psalmist means when he says "lift up the cup of salvation." He has just expressed the same thought in the verses preceeding. This is his summary "big idea". Lift up the cup of salvation (yourself) and offer yourself to God in praise for all His benefits.

Oops! 2 Chronicles 6-10

In 7:7 of this section we see that Solomon's alter was not sufficient to hold all the sacrifice he was offering. Can you imagine what would happen on a given Sunday if a pastor made such a big mistake that the offering plates he decided to use were not big enough to hold the offering? Or the communion tray he set up wasn't large enough to serve the congregation? What would people say and what would they think of him. Solmon's construction of the temple was a great idea. But, we already know that the temple was not big enough to contain the God of the universe. Here in 7:7 we see it wasn't even big enough to contain the worship for the God of the universe. Solomon had so much worship the temple alter could not contain it. Oh that this were a "oops" we had to deal with in our churches and in our worship. Wouldn't it be grand if the churches we build and the worship instruments we construct were too small to contain our worship and praise for the King. That would be a great problem to have. Solomon doesn't get carried away and concerned about this either. He simply goes on and worships and allows God to fill the temple. We should not be too concerned about what happens with the instruments of worship but rather concerned about the volume of our worship. Let's give more to God than the alter would hold!

Jealousy for God equals blessings from God - Numbers 25-28

When Phinehas stood up for God against those who would worship idols, he wasn't looking for renumeration. He was simply allowing what was on the inside for God to come out toward man. God says he was jealous for God. He was willing to put his own personal interest aside to allow God to control his life and stand up toward his countrymen (25:10-13). God was so impressed with Phinehas that He gave him a promise of a life long blessing. God doesn't miss when we stand up for him. Standing Tall in a Slouching World is something that God sees and desires from us. We need to be willing to put it out there for God. When everyone else in this section is leaning toward the world's way of doing things, God is expecting us (like Phinehas) to stand for Him. Phinehas simple wanted to make sure that his countrymen would obey God and do what He says. As we go through our day are we willing to stand up against the world and against our countrymen who are bending toward the world? If we are jealous for God He will notice and provide the blessings for us.

A Public Plea to forgive someone - Philemon

Imagine getting a letter from a great Christian man delivered to you while you are in church. As the church leadership reads the letter you see that God is using the letter from Paul to convict you to take back a man who has done you wrong. What do you do? Can you imagine the pressure from this letter as it is read in the church. Paul puts Philemon on the hot seat and asked him to forgive the run-away slave, Onesimus. Onesimus ran away from Philemon and apparently even stoled from him or did him some harm. God is about giving us an opportunity to act like Him. Paul was willing to act like Christ and stand in the place of Onesimus. Paul was willing to pay whatever harm Onesimus had caused. Now he wants to Philemon to practice God's part ... forgiveness. We are to act in forgiveness toward those who offend us. Paul, in this little letter gives us an example of how that is done and why it is done. It is love at its best and it is forgiveness based upon that love. Forgive in public - God will reward that.

Do your recognize Christ authority? John 19-21

Perhaps there is nothing more insulating than to refuse to recognize the authority of Jesus Christ in your life. The failure of non-believers to believe and submit to the authority of Christ is the greatest act of rebellion. In this passage we see Pilate taking time to consider the authority of the Son of God. Yet, in the end he still refused to submit. The Jews appealed to his fear by saying they have "no king but Ceaser." Pilate would not allow himself to recognize anyone other than Ceaser as king. Yet, here we have Jesus, the Son of God who claims to be the King of the Universe. How can we not submit to His sovereign rule? All things have been put under His feet. All creation recognizes His rule. Yet, there are some who use His name in vain and who refuse to believe in HIs right to rule their lives. But, perhaps the greatest act of rebellion is to reject His gift of laying His life down for His subjects. God laid His life down for us. We need to recognize that He not only has the right to rule our lives because He created us, but also because He purchased us by dying on the cross for us. Let's make sure we recognize His sovereign rule in our lives. Jesus Christ IS the Son of God!

Funeral Song to Garden Party - Amos 5-9

The first verse of this section reads: (5:1) - Hear this word which I take up for you as a dirge, O house of Israel. A "dirge" is a funeral song. It is a lament of something bad that has happened or is going to happen. In this case it was what was both happening and going to Israel for their disobedience. They had turned away from God and were going to pay the price. "What you sow you reap" is the point of the next few chapters. However, the story doesn't end with a funeral dirge. It ends with a party in the garden. Read what it says in the last few verses of this section: (9:14) - I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit." The story of their disobedience leads to captivity. But, the story of their restoration leads to a party. God will give them restoration (via Christ and with the Church) in the end. God provides the restoration through His son. God, and God alone, can restore those He punishes. Let's realize that any funeral dirge for the believer is followed by hope and blessing and the rejoicing for what God has done.

Sanctification can be a painful process - Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:4,5 reads: "Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith; Take away the wicked before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness." I know very little about silver smithing. I know very little about the chemical breakdown of metals and can't really say I could readily even define what "dross" is. But, I can get the meaning of these two proverbs without that insight: Take away the bad and what remains is good. God, after He saves us for eternity and places Christ in our hearts (the essence of wisdom) He then goes on to purify us. In theological terms that is called the "sanctification" process. God is changing us as we grow "in Christ" from one degree to another ... from "glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). I imagine that in order to get dross from silver their is some type of refining process the involves heat. The dross is metaled away. That is a tough process. It is not an easy process. God is in the process of "burning" off the dross in our lives. He is in the process of "purifying" us. That can and often is, a very painful process. We sometimes look at our Christianity as a privilege given to us and therefore to be wholly enjoyed. And, that is certainly true. We should enjoy it. But, growth has its pain. The growth process is something we need to embrace and realize that in order to get silver we have to burn off the dross.

Do you spend time "studying" God's homework? Psalm 111-113

As I write this children all over the country are being tormented by teachers ... teachers who assign homework. But, that torment goes beyond the children; parents are equally being vexed by homework each night. It is the parent who must "check" the work of the student. They must "inspect" it to assure that it is accurate and on target in regard to the teacher's assignment. I am actually writing this devotional this morning in a Starbucks and a college student is sitting at the table across from me working dutifully on a pre-med assignment. Here boyfriend (?) is sitting with her, bored, but engaged. She stops periodically from her studies to read to him her finished work. He nods in approval and then returns to the video game on his phone. She is studying her assignment, he is studying her work. In Psalm 111 we read that we are to Praise the LORD! Which is the opening statement. But, then the writer goes on to tells us what that "praise" looks like. We are to "study" the works of his hands (111:2). God's works, according to the writer later in the chapter (111:7) are truth and justice. In 113:6 we are asked who is it who "humbles" themselves to "study" God's works. We are to take time to study and to praise God's works of justice and truth. We are to check out His work each day. And, as a result of that study we are to shout out in praise. What does the parent do who checks out his/her child's homework assignment and discovers that the child did a great job? They break out in praise. The shout out in joy. This young boy friend is trying to get excited about his girlfriends pre-med assignment. However, he is lost in this environment. That is what it is like when we miss out on God's work. When we are disengaged in God's work and fail to study we lack a real reason to praise. When we "study" His work the only result is to break out in praise. Have you checked out God's homework lately?

First step toward wisdom - 2 Chronicles 1-5

Parents get really excited about the first step their baby takes. It doesn't matter how many children you have, the baby's first step is the most exciting. It doesn't matter that when they are two you just wish they would quit running around, when they are crawling you can't wait until they walk. So, too, God must fill about us. When we take our "first" step of faith that must be a great thing for God to see. We see a baby take a step and we unfold in our mind a future of steps. Steps to kindergarten; steps to his/her first soccer game; steps to junior high; steps across the stage at high school graduation; steps down the isle for marriage. When God sees our first step of faith toward Him, He sees our life of faith unfold for Him. That is what this section about Solomon and the temple is all about: Solomon's first steps of faith. When asked by God, "what can I give you?" Solomon steps out in faith. He asks God for Wisdom and knowledge to judge the nation he is about to lead. That is his first recorded step of faith. We know the story after this. We know about Solmon's extraordinary wisdom and how he used it for God and recorded it in the Proverbs for us. But, do we see where all his wisdom came from? It came from that one time act of faith that God would provide wisdom to him like God provided manna from heaven for his fathers in the wilderness. His act of faith for wisdom was God seeing his first step of faith. Wisdom begins with a step of faith that God will provide it. It doesn't come from our own work or accumulation of exercise in Christian catechism. It comes by asking God to proivde and believing that He does and did. It is a step of faith.

Where do you get your daily words? Numbers 21-24

I will be honest with you, in this section of reading I am not sure who's side Balaam the prophet is working for. His greed and strategy seems to indicate that he is working for the other side. However, he seeks God and, at least initially, indicates that he is willing to do God's will. God actually engages him and provides him with parameter instructions. Yet, he eventually provides Balak, his client, with wisdom that leads Isarel to sin and to fall. The worse part about Balaam seems to be his willingness to follow God but allowing the greed of folly to grip his life. In 22:38 Balaam says, "The word that God puts in my mouth, that will I speak." Oh, would that be true for all of us. Of course, Balaam doesn't stay true to his commitment (like all his commitments). In the end he provides counsel that brings Israel down. His initial words were accurate and appropriate, however. He was willing to limit his contact and conversation to what God had provided and described. Yet, that was not eough for him. He had to find a way to get the money. His greed overpowered his obedience. Isn't that true for us all. We make a commitment to only speak what God wants us to speak and then our nature takes over and we succumb to the power of our own will. God would have us speak for Him. God has provided the words we should speak, through the Bible. Yet, we allow our greed to trump our speech. Let's not follow Balaam. Let's keep our commitment and allow God to supply our words and carry our conversations.

Why did Jesus speak His Word? John 16-18

In this section Jesus gives us these two sentences as to why He is speaking to the disciples. He is telling them that His words are given and with these words they should have both security and fullness of joy. What other words can we read and have them provide such power and strength in our lives? Who else speaks words that are both "intended" and "able" to make us free from stumbling and full of joy? Only the power of the Savior's words can provide these benefits. We could read the words of great writers for the rest our lives and we would never have the beauty of what Christ provides in these two verses. "These things" were spoken for our security and our joy. Failure to read them and failure to believe them causes the benefits to be lost. To put them, like the words does, on the shelf of every other "writer" is to to cause one to stumble and lose their joy. To put these words, as the world does, as just one other writer and speaker is to tumble into tumult. God has provided us with Jesus Words to sanctify us (17:17). That sanctification process through the Word gives us joy and safety in our lives. Enjoy the Word!!!

Who was it that did it for you? Amos 1-4

One of the worse things we can do in life is to steal the glory from someone else. Taking someone's idea is one thing, but taking credit for it is quite another. It is one of the worse forms of humanity when we steal the glory of another. Taking credit for an accomplishment that had little or nothing to do with you is just unjust. So, when we stop to consider that it is God who gives all things good (James 1:17), we are practice extreme evil when we claim responsibility for it. We are stealing glory from God when we do so. This what the nation of Israel did when they claimed status and superiority over other nations. As God reminds them in 2:10-13 of Amos we see that it was God who accomplish great things "for" them and "through" them - not "by" them. God is doing a great work in our lives and when we take credit we steal His glory. In 2:13 God says He is weighted down like an overloaded wagon sagging beneath its load. Let's give God the glory for any good in our lives and rejoice in His power through us not by us.

Don't get burnt by Hot Tempers - Proverbs 22:24-25

"Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself."

I don't purposely touch hot objects with my bare hands. Picking a piece of toast out of the toaster is about the extent of my willingness to touch flesh to flame. However, there are times I find myself in committees and group-think tanks that combines me with some angry people. Solomon tells us in the above verses that having such a relationship endangers me: If you are with hot tempered people don't be surprised if you get burnt. That seems to be Solomon's thought here. We are to avoid those who lose their temper. He often tells us in Proverbs that is better to dwell on a rooftop than to dwell in a house with someone who is having anger issues. We are to avoid those with anger issues not attempt to appease them. We are and will influenced by them. We will create a "snare" for ourselves if we associate with them. Don't get burnt by Hot Tempers!

They return hatred for my love - Paslm 108-110

Psalm 109:4-5: "In return for my love they act as my accusers; but I am in prayer, thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for love."

If you have ever experienced the above verses you will understand the rest of this Psalms. David, in Psalm 109, prayers some strong words about his enemy ... this returner of evil for his love. You can't understand 109 unless you have had this experience. David was a king and kings can have enemies. Kings can have enemies, according to this Pslam, even when they do good to others. It is important to know that when we do right we can still have some reject us. When we reach out in love we can have others respond in inappropriate ways. We can have people "hate" us in return for our love. Don't be surprised by their treatment of us. Love is a powerful tool but it takes furtil ground and God's acting in their life to produce anything. David states in the above verses, "... but I am in prayer ..". That is the key. He is turiing this all over to God. He is asking God, who does things in mercy and grace and truth, to care for this one who has returned his love with hatred. Let God deal with them. You continue to show them love.

Your ability to delegate begins with your ability to confess - 1 Chronicles 25-29

I run into a lot of people who can't (or, won't) delegate. It is by far the most often identifiable aspect of leadership I am asked to work with my my day job as a leadership executive coach. "I have the biggest trouble delegating," is often the way it is plainly stated. In this section of 1 Chronicles we have David's preparation for the building of the temple. You know the story that He was not allowed to build it because God said he was a man who shed blood (he had Urriah killed immorally and had killed many of God's enemies). Instead of David simply living out is retirement years in bliss he put together what might be the biggest and best leadership transition plan of all ages. He set up someone to take care of every piece of his kingdom, while at the same time preparing everyone to be ready to build the temple under his son Solomon's reign. David didn't take God's message of "no you can't build it," as a reason to sit back and relax. He actually stood before the nation and its leadership and confessed that God had told him "no" and the reason was because of his own failures (28:3). If you want to learn to delegate and be motivated to do so you have to be able to learn to confess your sins and failures before your consistency. God already knows but David's willingness to articulate that God was stopping him from doing one thing because of his failures didn't cause him to fail to do what he could. Delegation and putting others in place to do what you can't is a mark of leadership. David was not stopped by one "no" from God but rather saw it as reason to work harder and celebrate further the mighty character of God (29:10-19). David shows us that our ability to delegate is dependent upon our ability to confess to God and others our inability to "do it all." God has many people in our lives who can do the things we can't if we confess that we can't and ask for help as David did.

Leadership held to a high standard - Numbers 18-20

In 18:1 of this section we read that Aaron and his family will be held responsible for the priesthood and everything "tabernacle." The rest of this section (up to the end of chapter 20) is a detailed "job description" of what those responsibilities would be. If you have ever had to write a detailed job description you can relate to what is on these pages. If you have ever read a detailed job description before you probably had the same feelings reading this section. However, this is Holy Writ. This is what God was going to hold Aaron and his extended family, for centuries, accountable to. So, as we read it is not any surprise that God is a God of detail. Each word He speaks is to be heard and obeyed. So, in chapter 20 when God tells Moses and Aaron to "speak" to the rock that it might bring forth water for the "once-agian" discontented Israelites, it is no surprise that when Moses strikes the rock something bad is about to happen. Moses AND Aaron, as a result of that "minor" disobedience are prevented from going into the promise land. After 40 years of wandering Moses is dis-qualified for promise! That is hard to take. It was, after all, the nation who complained constantly for melons, water, meat and soft sleeping accommodations. Moses, in faith, had lead and had, on a number of occasions, stood in the gap between their disobedience and God's wrath. But, this missing-the-details-of-God's-Word will cost him and Aaron's inheritance. We can't help but see how God expects leadership to follow Him. Moses (and Aaron) also had the privilege of seeing the Glory of God (20:6,7). With whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Remember, if you lead you are also expected to follow - and, if you follow without watching for the detail how will others follow you?

Necessary Equipment for any era - 2 Timothy 3-4

In 3:15-17 we read Paul's formula for life's preparation. If we want to be "equipped" as we leave the house each morning we have several choices. Some like to make sure they watch the morning news first - they are equipped for the discussions of the day. Some like to check their social network status - equipping them for the relationships of the day. Some like to check the sports broadcast - equipping them for the fun of the day. Paul tells young Timothy to remember the Holy Scriptures - they will equip him for the good words needed throughout the day. The scripture is said to make Timothy wise - leading to His salvation; it is said to be the key source in correcting us; instructing us; teaching us. The final outcome of the study of Scripture is to equip us for any and all good works. Since, in Ephesians 2:8, 9 it is stated that we have been "created in Christ Jesus onto good works" in 2 Timothy 3:17 we are told how to be equipped for those good works. God has not only given us a mission to complete them, but the tool to assure their furtion. You might leave the house with your keys, cell phone and credit cards and feel equipped for the day. But, if you are not filling your heart and mind with God's word, chances are you will not be ready to complete the necessary good works ahead of you.

How do you take a bath? John 13-15

I wouldn't be surprised if the government has spent tons of money to study how people bath; seem to waste money on so many stupid studies. Do you start at the top or the bottom? Warm or hot water? Wash cloth or something else? Getting clean is such a personal thing I would wonder what a survey would reveal. In this section on two separate occasions Jesus tells the disciples they are clean. He will follow that again in chapter 17 that we will read next week. Paul will later add his Divine words to express the aspect of cleanliness to the church at Ephesus. Read these words again and see what God's method of "washing" us looks like:

13:10 - "... you are clean ..."
15:3 - "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you."
17:17 - "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."
Ephesians 5:26 - " ... having cleansed her (the church ... believers) by the washing of water with the Word, ... "

So, you might "cleanse" yourself with soap on a rope under luke warm water from the top to the bottom, but God uses His word from the inside out to "clean us" and to purfity us. When we spend time in HIs word He is using it to "wash" us like a parent who baths their young. God's Word is His method to clean us. We are clean from sin because His word has declared us redeemed based upon the work of Christ. Perhaps another study would be "how long it takes you to shower?" Some takes minutes, while others hours, I would assume. So, how much time do you give God to "clean" you each day? Do you stick your fingers under the water of the word for seconds and hope to be clean; or, do you spend time allowing His word to completely wash over you each day? Getting spiritually clean is as easy as taking a shower ... but you have to allow God's Word to do the washing significantly in your life.

Joel's redemption story - Joel

The book of Joel is a mini story of the Bible. It is a story of salvation. It is the story of a people, created and chosen by God who go astray because of their bent on sin. It is the story of God allowing sin to do what it does because when we sin we can't, on our own, prevent the evil that it unfolds. It is a story of God's redemptive grace entering the scene to rescue and save His chosen people. It is a story of God's blessing being poured out upon those He saves to give them power and pleasure for the future and hope for the future. The book of Joel is the gospel message ... the Bible message ... rolled up into a tight package in the story of Israel being chosen, rebelling, repenting, being saved and being blessed. It might read like a little prophet, a "minor" prophet, by description and genre. But, Joel is a powerful book of God's redemptive mercy and grace. Read it with both warning and pleasure. It is the Bible story.

Do you know what to say when asked? - Proverbs 22

As believers we are often asked our opinion on things of this world, if not because someone is interested than because they desire to be amused. As we study the gospel we see how many times Jesus was asked about curious and complex issues of life (John 4; Luke 13 as examples). The "Christian" or "Godly" view is lacking in our society and we do well to make it known ... if not voluntarily than at least when asked! The problem with that thought, however, is that most believers don't know how to answer these complex questions and concerns. God, on the other hand, has mad it possible for us to know how to answer. In 22:20-21 Solomon states the following: "Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth that you may correctly answer him who sent you?" Solomon had many occasions to "answer him who sent you" when he was confronted by kings and supremes. The Queen of Sheba traveled far to talk to him. Daniel had to give an answer to him who sent for him to respond to the kings of his day. Joseph had to answer those who inquired of him to know how to answer. Paul had to answer the kings and pontiffs of his day to give an answer when asked. Peter and James were brought before the religious and political leaders of the day to give an answer. Paul tells us that we ought to know how to give an answer for the "hope that is in us" (1 Corinthians 5:12). We are to have an answer. Proverbs prepares you to have an answer. Do you spend enough time reading and learning wisdom to offer wisdom when asked?

God uses unique circumstances to get you in the right spot - Psalm 105-107

In Psalm 105:16-24 we have a section where the writer uses the story of Joseph to make a point about God's working in the lives of Israel. The emphasis of the story is that God used a bad circumstance in Joseph's life to move him to a place of leadership and eventual power to rescue and save the nation of Israel. God allowed the anger and jealous of his brothers to work against Joseph to place him in Pharaoh's land. He then used the evilness of a women and the power of a man to put Joseph in the exact spot to be able to help the kings servants. God uses unusual circumstances to move us around for Him. Don't look at your current circumstances as something you dictate or something you design. Don't look at them as something others are doing to you but rather something God is using to accomplish His greater purpose. God is in control of the smallest details of our life. Rest in His working and look for that purpose ... you might just rescue others and cause them to become stronger than their adversaries (105;24).

Assign someone to praise God each day! 1 Chronicles 20-24

David was refused by God the opportunity to build the temple. But, that didn't stop him from planning the building project or assigning those necessary to accomplish it! He told his son, Solomon, how to build it, gathered all the material and assigned people for different pieces of the project. One piece in 23:30 was to assign someone to "every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at eveniing." What a glorious job this must have been. The Sons of Levi were giving the job to "thank and praise the LORD." Because believers have been made royal priest (1 Peter) we too have this responsibility and priviledge. We are to thank and praise God in the morning and, likewise, in the evening. This is to be our full time job. We can thank Him for our work ... as we work! We can thank Him for our family ... as we family. God is to be the focus of our day; morning to evening. God is to be thanked and praised. Do you take time to assign some time in your day to just praise Him and thank Him? Chances are if you don't schedule it and assign it you won't do it. We don't natually "feel" like praising God. We have to create some time and space in our daily lives to do this important aspect of spiritual worship. Let's praise and thank and worship Him!

Leaders don't always lead - Numbers 13-17

This section is all about leadership. There is so much to learn from what happens between the lines of this Holy Writ. You could read hundreds of leadership books written by man and not get the truth that flows from these passages. God shows us how to choose leadership; how to discipline leadership; how leaders have to learn to follow; and much, much more. A key to understanding this passage may be that God establishes leadership and leadership position and power. Man may want someone else to lead but God decides who leads. God makes the determination and when He does others are to follow. Leadership has to be be very good at follower-ship. Leaders who can not submit to other leadership are not good leaders. God demands that all leaders know how to follow. Korah and company couldn't follow. We saw the same from Mirian earlier in chapter 12. It is important to learn this lesson no matter if you are a leader or a follower. Everyone needs to learn to follow. Rejoice in the ability to follow. Rejoice in the privilege to lead. Don't think that one exempts you from the other.

Refuse foolish & ignorant speculations - 2 Timothy 1-2

2 Timothy 2:23: "But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, know that they produce quarrels." There may be no principle of scripture so true and dramatized each day as 2:23 of 2 Timothy. If you go to any news program and observe for a minute the "talking heads" you will see this principle displayed in techno-color. If you watch news about sports, weather, entertainment or politics and you will observe foolish and ignorant speculations that lead to quarrels. It is almost impossible to miss such a display. However, the same should not be said of Christianity and the local church. Paul is telling Timothy to avoid this type of behavior. "Refuse" it he says. Instead he has just told Timothy that he should pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. These are the things that should pursue out of the believers mouth and heart. We are to avoid foolishness and fools talk. However, what we often find in the foyers of the church is the foolish talk and the pursuit of these noble thoughts are often buried with the shovel of gossip, opinion and personal agendas that lead to quarrels and discontent. We are to refuse that type of discussion. The easiest way to refuse is to simply excuse yourself from the discussion and walk away. It takes multiple sticks to keep a fire going. If you remove yours the fire of gossip can't burn as high.

God Originated "Voice Recognition" Software- John 10-12

In John 10:1-7 we have the original design work stated for "voice recognition" software. In this section Jesus tells His disciples that those that are "His sheep" will hear and recognize "His voice." Those who are not "His sheep" will not "hear and recognize" His voice. It is that simple. It is almost funny that latter in this same chapter the Pharisees (who were not "His sheep") asked Him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." He of course, JUST DID! They just didn't recognize His voice. What a calming thought ... Christ recognizes my voice when I cry out to Him. He knows ME! Today, before writing this devotional, I went to a family reunion. A little boy bump into me and grabbed by pant leg, as if I were his father. But, something was immediately wrong. He recognized that I was NOT his dad. He could tell. He had a sixth sense to look up quickly and get away from me. The same is true about believers and God. We recognize our Dad! We know His voice when He talks to us. When we hear God's Word we know it is His. When we talk to Him, He knows our voice. Today's voice recognition software has nothing on God. I love to hear His voice in the morning. I long for it throughout the day. I love that He knows my voice when I cry out to Him. What a blessed thought.

Future blessing despite sin - Hosea 8-14

There is perhaps no other thought so blessed than to know that we have hope with God despite our sin. I sin continually. I try to fight it but I still succumb to my old nature and Satan's tricks and lures. Like a fool I fall deep into the inward traps of self and the outward tricks of Satan. Once I do my mind starts to tell me how wicked I am and how I don't deserve God's grace and have lost His favor. That is when passages like Hosea 14 come to rest on my soul. For 13 chapters Hosea has told has about Israel's sin and certain destruction and captivity. Yet, despite the sin that they committed (and it was much); and despite the principle that you reap what you sow (Hosea 8:7); God keeps His promises. He promised them salvation and He delivers that salvation to them according to chapter 14. The reason God gives salvation to them and to us, despite our great, great sin against Him? The answer if found in the last verse of the book: "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous will way in them, but transgressors will stumble in them." This is the sum of the book. Those who are the LORD's will rejoice in the fact that God is faithful and will deliver them. Those who are not the Lord's will stumble at these words and not know them. God is faithful and righteous to keep His word. Rejoice in that.

God hates crooked lawyers/business/people - Proverbs 20-21

"Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, And a false scale is not good." (Proverbs 20:23)

In the above proverb we see God's thoughts toward those to vary in integrity and use different versions of truth. They are an "abomination" to the LORD. Very, very strong word choice. God hates crooked people. A couple of days ago I was deposed by five lawyers in regard to a boating accident in which I was the primary witness. Six months after the accident one of the lawyers contacted me and he interviewed me. I was his best friend. I had the testimony to show his client was not at fault and another person was. However, in the last two years it was discovered the person who was at fault legally was not wealthy enough practically. So, this same lawyer, on behalf of his injured client, was suing someone else involved in the accident - someone else who, according to my testimony, had no responsibility in the accident as to fault. The "lawyer" in this case changed from being my best friend to being my arch enemy. What was truth one day in his favor was now truth he needed to hear differently. This lawyer had "differing weights" in his bag. In the Biblical days of this proverb business men in the market place would way out a pound of grain on one side of the scale and the proper weight on the other. Some business men would use a weight one time that actually weighed a certain set of pounds. At another time, however, they would use a weight that only said it weighed so much. Instead it would have cork or something inside and actually weigh differently. Using differing weights - different measurements for truth - is an abomination to the Lord. We do this every time we approach some issue with others with a hidden, personal agenda. Make sure throughout your day you don't switch "weights" to fit your situation. Truth is truth.