Choose whom you will serve? Joshua 21-24

Leaders love to challenge their followers.   Leaders love to see others rise to higher bar of excellence.   So, when we read Joshua's words in 24:15 we might simply pass over it as a "leaders courageous words" for inspirational purposes.  In 24:15 we read Joshua saying, "It is is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  In God's Word, however, this is more than a leaders euphoric gesture of good will for his followers.  Joshua remembers the fellow Israelites who fell in the wilderness because they failed to "commit" to follow God.   God demands our worship.   He demands that we commit to Him.   So, this is Joshua charging them Biblical to follow God.   We all must respond to this charge not as blind clones of a productive leader but as servants of the Most High God.  Remember, when spiritual leaders charge you to stand for God they are not simply charismatic speakers beseeching a response.  They are surrogates for God giving you His ultimate challenge and charge.   We don't respond to the "Joshuas" in life, we respond or don't respond to the God of our salvation.   We have a Biblical responsibility to serve Him.  It matters not who is asking us.

God records our faith and forgets our laugh - Genesis 16-19

In Hebrews 11:13-14 we have the record in the "Hall of Faith" (Hebrews chapter 11) that Sarah and Abraham believed the promises of God in regard to Sarah being able to give birth at ninety and Abraham at one-hundred. God actually records their faith and uses them as a example for us to follow. However, in Genesis 17:17 and 18:12 we read about the fact that when told they would give birth to a son at this old age they actually "laughed." God, however, doesn't record their laughter and remind the early church and all believers about it for centuries. Instead God records their faith and wants us all to look up to them and follow their example. It is by their faith that great things happened. Their laughter is forgotten by God. What a great example for us to see in this story. God, despite our faithlessness, will still remain faithful to His promises (2 Timothy 2:13). The reason the old couple could be used as an example to you and me is because God was faithful to His promise. Their faith, according to Hebrews 11:13-14, we based upon God's faithfulness to His promise not the measure of their belief. God is not waiting for us to conjure up enough belief. God wants us to trust in His Word (His promises) and He will remain faithful to them. We don't have to "build up" enough faith for God to respond. We only need to have the faith of a mustered seed and we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). We may remember the times we laughed at God but He is only recording our acts of faith. Believe a promise today!

Hostile to God or Pleasing to God? - Romans 7-8

Throughout this section we are drawn to the words from God that Abraham would "inherit" a blessing from God. Part of that blessing was the land he was to received. Yet, as he traveled through the land he was an alien and a stranger. He was not allowed to make the land his actual home. He was never settled in the land even though he knew it was his land, based upon the promises of God (see Hebrews 11:8-10). Abraham is our father in the realm of all things faith. When we live by faith we are in the same situation Abraham found himself - we are given promises by God that we can experience now but not fully until after. We must travel and live by faith as we have a daily walk with Him. That pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). In our society today, Satan is creating a culture that seduces us into wanting it now and tasting it immediately. But, God's promises are not always fully for now. We are to live by faith that leads to hope that enables us to live pleasing to God. God wants us His people to be like Abraham. We are to walk in faith and live in hope and complete trust in Him. We are not of the generation of those who have to obtain it now. We see those around us war, fight, love and embrace the megger lives they have and that IS the extent of their existence. We are, however, but travelers in this land. We look for a city with foundations, who's builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Are you living in hope or in possession?

Fear is the opposite of faith - Matthew 8-10

This section of Matthew stresses three things: Christ's healing ministry; Christ's teaching ministry; and, Christ's interaction with His disciples. Actaully, all four gospels are made up of that tri-unity of topic but this section particularly. The interaction with the disciples is a very powerful message for us to learn from and to emulate some of the teaching found within it. In 8:26 we read Jesus words to His disciples when they are in a boat surrounded by a huge storm, "Why are you afraid , you men of little faith?" Now first, let us understand that being in a boat in a large storm will draw out the fear of any "normal" human spirit. The statement by Christ, however, is not meant to be a put-down, however. I believe it is meant to be a teaching moment between Jesus and His disciples. The word used for "afraid" in the text can actually be translated, "coward." The Christ is challenging their thinking. In essence He is saying, "If you are going to follow me make sure you don't shrink back into cowardness and unbelief!" Notice their response after He quickly and quietly still the seas; Matthew 8:27, "The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” The key portion of that verse is their quesiton, "What kind of man is this ...". We would all do well to ask that question. Christ is the fullness of wisdom and righteousness and power (1 Corithians 1). When we fear it is only because we lack faith. Christ wants us to cast our fears on Him and launch ourselves full-body into faith for Him and toward Him. If we fear something it is becasue we doubt He has the capabilities to help us; an apathy toward us; or, a malicious intent for us. Cast your fears in your storm on Him and watch through the eyes of faith Him work a miracle.

A Lilly in a Swamp Pond - Isaiah 18-22

Contrast is noticeable. Artist and muscians and writers all know the power and beauty of a sharp contrast. White on Black or vice versa draws attention to both and to niether at the same time. Sunset at night draws attention to the darkness to come and the light that is leaving ... but you don't notice one over the other, they are both the same. In this passage of reading today we see the wonder of contrast in Isaiah's writing. God takes the prophets pen and begins to display the horror and the wrath about to be poured out on the surrounding nations. In chapter 19 we begin to read the disciple God will distribute to Egypt ... a land Israel was saved from but often wanted to return to. Yet, in the midst of these words of destruction God delivers the contrasting message of salvation. In 19:23-25 we read that God will provide salvation to Egypt and Assyria. Along with Israel this unlikely trinity will worship together and be saved by the same Savior; Israel's Messiah - Jesus Christ. Here in the midst of gloom and doom and certain judgment we see Grace. Like a lilly pad in a swamp we see the mercy and grace of God in marvelous contrast to the deserved punishment for mankind. God is the master of contrast. His perfect wrath stands in complete contrast to His all encompassing grace and love. An antinomy of wonder we stand and worship the God who can justly punish the Egyptians and yet, through His grace, provide them with salvation. None of us deserves His grace - but what a joy to see it and to have it poured out upon you!!!

God made me and shapes me from clay - Job 8-10

Each year I read this section I have to remind myself that these "friends" of Job do not see the same picture we see as we read the story. Like any of us today who sit at the bedside of a friend, we don't know what God is doing, or not doing behind the scene. Bildad, despite that truth, utters sound Theological truths that should be reserved for the classroom not the hospital room. Yes, God judges us (chapter 8) and will condemn the wicked and reward the "righteous." But, as Job maintains, no one is really righteous (chapter 9) so that only leaves God with the choice to condemn the wicked. But, in chapter ten Job appeals to God himself and states these words:

(Job 10:8-9) - "Your hands fashioned and made me altogether, and would You destroy me? Remember now, that You have made me as clay; and would You turn me into dust again?"

Job asks God to "remember" who He (God) is and who he (Job) is. Job realizes the only hope he has in this dilemma is that God finds mercy for Job and remembers that Job is a piece of clay ... the work of God's hands (see also Psalm 138:8 vs. Job 10:3). God has is, in this life, completing the work He started in our lives. Job understands this. Each event that unfolds around us and with us is simply God's plan and path to accomplish that molding of the clay. Bildad is correct with his Theology, but Job knows that the Theology is not complete. Yes, God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked. But, without God's work in the lives of His "clay" we are all destined for destruction. God has to shape the clay to be in the form of righteousness. God does that with His Son living within us as the master Tool that does the shaping. We must allow God to shape us for Him to reward us.

Today there will be a pop quiz - Psalm 9-11

Psalms 11:5 - "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates." If you are a believer or an unbeliever understand this: There will be a test today!! The Lord test BOTH the righteous (those who have put their trust in Christ) and the wicked (those who DON'T trust Christ). The question is not whether there will be a test. The only question is if you know the answer. The test can come in many forms. Maybe it will take the shape of a health dilemma. For men it might look like a women (Proverbs 7). For some it might look like a time to worry (Matthew 6). Still for others it might look like a time to fear. Christ was tempted three ways (Matthew 4). God test the hearts of men. James says His test bring a certain trial, that when overcome will produce a crown (James 1:12). God tested Abraham (Genesis 21:1). The fact is both will be tested, but, God promises deliverance to those who trust in Him and His son. In Psalm 34:19 we read that God delivers "us" (believers) from the trials of life. In Romans 7 Paul asks, "Who will deliver me from the power of this death?" He answers in thanks that Christ will deliver believers. There will be a test today. It will take on many forms. But, the answer is the same for ever form, shape and experience: Jesus Christ and Him cruicified.

Do you "accept" the boundries God has set for you? Joshua 16-20

As you read through this section it is sometimes tough to read about how the different "geographical" lines drawn. In some sense this is like reading the plots at your local township office. Each of the tribes were to take possession of the land God had given them. They delayed it and held off taking possession of what God had promised them. That is a lesson in itself. But, the lesson to draw out today is about the "borders" that were drawn out for each tribe. Joshua casts "lots" for the land and whoever the lot said was to receive that portion of the land. That meant that the boards for the tribes for the rest of their lives and the rest of their generation's lives would be that particular portion, received by the casting of lots. This was a willingness to trust and submit to the sovereignty of God! No matter what lot they received the tribes would have to trust the "borders" given to them. These would be forever boundries they would have to honor and live by. We are not given "land" like that today but we are given boundries by the sovereinty of God. God determines our "station" in life. God determines our "social" status. God determines were we are on societies "food chain." It should be noted that God doesn't determine what society favors and where it puts each "status" symbol. The corrupt world of sin does that. But, God determines our "lot" in life. We can either submit to His rule or we can fight the "boundries" He has set for us. Young people tend to fight the boundries given to them by their parents. We (belivers) tend to fight the boundries given to us by our sovereign God. The nation had to trust God that He knew what was best for them and accept their boundries. Do we have the faith to believe that God knows what is best for us and has us where He wants us in our jobs, our financial situation, our geographic location, or, our family relationships? God is in charge. Learn to rest in the soverenignty of God!

God promises some blessings we don't obtain until later - Genesis 12-15

Throughout this section we are drawn to the words from God that Abraham would "inherit" a blessing from God. Part of that blessing was the land he was to received. Yet, as he traveled through the land he was an alien and a stranger. He was not allowed to make the land his actual home. He was never settled in the land even though he knew it was his land, based upon the promises of God (see Hebrews 11:8-10). Abraham is our father in the realm of all things faith. When we live by faith we are in the same situation Abraham found himself - we are given promises by God that we can experience now but not fully until after. We must travel and live by faith as we have a daily walk with Him. That pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). In our society today, Satan is creating a culture that seduces us into wanting it now and tasting it immediately. But, God's promises are not always fully for now. We are to live by faith that leads to hope that enables us to live pleasing to God. God wants us His people to be like Abraham. We are to walk in faith and live in hope and complete trust in Him. We are not of the generation of those who have to obtain it now. We see those around us war, fight, love and embrace the megger lives they have and that IS the extent of their existence. We are, however, but travelers in this land. We look for a city with foundations, who's builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Are you living in hope or in possession?

Your somebodies slave - Romans 5-6

It is tough for the world to grasp this, but we are all slaves to someone. Note the following verse from our section of reading today.

Romans 6:16 - "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?"

Paul tells us we are either slaves to sin or we are slaves to righteousness. The world is clamoring to be free. They want to be free to do what they want, when they want. The problem with their desire is that freedom is not available. Freedom was lost at the fall of man in Genesis 3. Adam had freedom and squadered it for all mankind (Romans 3-5). Now, we can argue with that concept all we want but the truth of the matter is man proves it every day that he is a slave to sin; he can't stop it. It is only through Christ that our slavery to sin is broken - to enslave us to Christ. We are like a ship whose Captain is Sin and we are tasks master under his rule. We do what he says when he says it. We row when Sin says row. We do what Sin says to do. But, along come Christ and He conquers Sin and takes control of the ship. Now, we row because we are willing saliors on the Christ's ship. He is not a tasks master but enables us to to live for Him. He takes command of our ship and we are His slaves. He is not a taskmaster but a Captain who gives us blessings and cares for us. We are going to be on A ship and we are going to be someone's slave. Slaves of sin or slaves of Christ.

A "most important" principle to govern your life - Matthew 5-7

Matthew 5-7 is known as the "Sermon on the Mount." It is by far the greatess sermon ever preached and ever to be preached. Christ summerizes the entire Old Testament in one-twenty-minute sermon. He takes the entire Law and makes it simply and understood. He outlines prayer and what to do with it and how to "do it." He takes daily life and summarizes how to not worry in it, while at the same time showing us how to treat those around us who are both for us and against us. It is the "whole package." As He speaks, Christ also gives us an underlying principle to use as the governer for our life - the control switch. In 5:16 we read, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Our entire life questions of "should we do this or do that?" or "what does God want me to do with this or that?" is summarized in this small, yet powerful passage. We are to consider that whatever we do is a reflection of the light of God and to draw people to notice God. As I write this the "Tim Tebow" craze is taking our country by storm. Tim Timbow is a believer who has risen to fame as an NFL football player who can't do the one very well but lives the other outlout in front of the world. You may not like his "outward" confessions of faith, but when did any other "Christian" football player strike a conversation up about how God helps us win or not win. I have no doubth that the shine will fall off Tebow's star at some point - it has to for all men. However, he does live his life according to this passage. Let your life so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven. "Let it shine!" should be our guiding principle for life.

He is no longer angry at me - Isaiah 12-17

I don't know if you have ever had someone really, really mad at you, but, if you have, it is a tough situation to be in. Espcecially if the anger they have toward you is deserved. If it is not deserved, that is something else to talk about, but in this case you deserve it and have well earned it. It is a terrible thing to have someone torched with anger toward you when they are justified to be so. Most of us probably don't ever get to the point that we think we "deserve" someone to be angry toward us, but, if you have you would understand the feelings when they came up to you and said, "I forgive you! I am no longer angry at you." This section begins with a verse that states God, who has the right to be angry at us for our sin and our constant rejection of His Word, has forgiven us! In 12:1 we reead,

"Then you will say on that day, I will give thanks to You, O Lord; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away,And You comfort me."

God has just told Israel, through the prophet's message, that He is going to send a Savior to them. And, despite their sin the Savior would redeem them from their captivity to sin. So, "in that day" we will "give thanks" to God for His forgiveness. All believers are children of Abraham's "faith" and we are to rejoice in our salvation. Unless you come to the point to realize and believe God is angry at sin, you will not "get this verse." God is angry at sin in the world. His wrath is going to be poured out on mankind for that sin. But, through Christ, He saves us and that should cause us to rejoice and be thankful. The amount of your praise, however, is in direct proportion to the amount you believe He was angry at you. This book shows the anger God is going to pour out on His enemies and the comfort He is going to give to His children who believe. As you read it note the two extremes. Which one do you find comforting? His wrath or His mercy?

Why does God make man His focus? Job 6-7

In Job 7:17-18 we read, "What is man that You magnify him, and that You are concerned about him, That You examine him every morning and try him every moment?" This is a popular line of thought with Biblical writers, as David asks something simiilar in Psalm 8 and Psalm 144. The writer of Hebrews quotes these verses in Hebrews 2. Eliphaz will later add depth to these words in Job 22:2. When we stop to consider why the God of the universe has made man the object of His affection we ought to take pause. We KNOW why we should make God the object of our affections. He created all that is and controls all that will be. It makes perfect sense to focus on God. However, we don't deserve His focus on us. We are but a breath (also in the writings of David and Job). We have nothing to offer a God who made it all. Yet, God not only spends time with us and turns His pleasure to us, He sent His son to redeem us. We are fallen and corrupt and deserve death; like all the animals and creation of the world. We are plagued by sin and God can't focus on us because of that sin. But, still He redems us. He has choosen, in His master plan, to make us the object of His love so that ... we might glorify Him. Job spends his time in these two chapters focused on himself and his pain and suffering ... as we all would do if we were in his shoes. Yet, the pain and suffering finally brings Job to ask the question, "Why do you care about me?" We all have to come to a low spot in our lives where we ask that question. Because until we do, we are at the center of our lives, not Him.

Emotions Change - Psalm 6-8

Reading these three Psalms take you through a variety of emotions. In Psalm 6 and 7 we see the writer in sorrow and in burden. He is crying on his bed and is wondering if God will remember him or will be there for him. He feels lonely and deserted. He feels attacked by a friend. He wonders if he has done something wrong to a friend and "if he has" he is willing to pay the consequences for it. He is emotional spent. Then we read Pslam 8. Here are writer is full of praise and see the beauty of God and the strength of God. He is able to reflect on the character of God and to rejoice in what God has done and will still do. We ought to take stock in these Pslams as they play out in our lives. We, too, go through a variety of emotions as the writer here does. We can be up one day and down the next (or, one minute and down the next). God majors on working with us in our variety of emotions. The one continuous theme here, however, is that the writer comes to God with each. When down he turns to God and when up he turns to God. We are not so. We often find ourselves in deep prayer and spiritual ascent when we are depressed. But, when we are victorious we are not nearly found in the presence of God signing His praises. Let's make sure we remember two things as a result of these Psalms: We will go through a variety of emotions in our walk with God and we need to have God at the center of each of the emotions.

God gives us wars to fight - Joshua 11-15

This section of Joshua is about waring. For those who are caregiving and see only positive side of life this must be a hard chapter. However, the message is clear: God does not and will not tolerate sin and apostasy. These nations were nations void of God and void of His understanding. He already demonstrated with Rahab the harlot and with the Gibeonite that He was a compasionate God. But, in this section is going to demonstrate that He is a just God. In 11:1 we see the nations gathering themselves together to do harm to Israel. In 11:20 we see that it was God who gathered them all together in actuallity. He did so to make the war with Joshua that much easier. Joshua could have seen this gathering of the nations as a big problem but God brought them all together to make it easier to destroy them all. In Psalm 144:1 we read by the writings of David that God "teaches our hands to war and our fingers for battle." God is in the process of a spiritual battle. We don't see that in our every day lives as we look for comfort, peace and prosperity. But, in relaity God is looking to destory evil, sin and Satan. These nations were both representatives of these three and alies of them. God brought them together so Joshua could fight them. God often allows evil to come into our lives so that, through His strength, we can defeat it. We should not shrink back away from this fight. But, as Ephesians 6 tells us, we ought to take on the full armour of God and find the wiles of the Devil. God brings wars into our lives so we can fight them by His strength and He can defeat evil "through Him" and "by us." We are His chosen warriors. Don't shrink from this war ... or, worse, don't join the enemy.

God Remembers - Genesis 8-11

This section opens with a great statement about God's character and His plans for our lives: "But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle there were with him in the ark ..." God remembers! God is a God who does not forsake His plan and remembers the people in His plan. He remembers where He "puts" us. He remembers what He has planned for us. He remembers our confinement when He puts us into confinement and opens the heavens to give us freedom. It says He "caused a wind" to blow on the earth to dry up the land. So, we learn that God not only remembers he also acts on that memory and provides what we need. That is reasssuring to those who walk with God. We are not left in the widerness (Moses), or in the pasture (David), or in the lion's den (Daniel), or in the fire (the three Hebrew boys), or in the grave (Jesus Christ). We are remembered by God and cared for by Him. Rejoice in His memory and relax in His provision.

If God promised it you can and should believe it! Romans 3-4

When it comes to reading something in Romans you have to be able to connect with the entire context. These two chapters hang on rather complex links with the two chapters that come before and the four or five that come after. Grabbing a "devotional" out of the middle of them is like taking a snap-shot of Niagara Falls without the spray of water ... it leaves you one demensional. However, one of my favorite verses (in my youth it was my "life verse") is found in this section. When using Abraham for an example to fortify his argument that salvation in any age was by faith and faith alone, Paul states the following about Abraham's belief: Romans 4:20-21 "... yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." Abraham is the father of all believers in that he "believed" God and that was counted (accredited) to him for righteousness ... that began what we all practice today: Faith begats righteousness - so, Abraham is our father. In the two verses above we see how that actually worked. Abraham heard God's Word - His Promises - and believed them. That was it. Abraham did a logical conclusion, however. He heard God's promises and then realized that if God said it He could also DO it and therefore he could put his trust in Him. When we live in fear we are saying we don't believe in the character of God ... we think He CAN'T do what He said and therefore we fear. We need to cast off our fear and put our trust in the promises of God that are based upon the character of God. When God says He can and will do something we have no reason not to believe Him.

Fight Satan's words (temptation) with God's WORD - Matthew 3-4

In this section of Matthew we find the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry. Christ begins with an obedient act of Baptism (Chapter 3) and this section ends with Him calling His disciples and a fruitful healing ministry (see the end of Chapter 4). However, like our ministries on earth, God allowed His Son to be tempted by Satan. In Chapter 4 we see the temptation of Christ and how He fights that temptation. In Hebrews 4:21 we read that Christ was tempted in all areas, like we are, but without sin. So, we see that Christ't temptation, outside of demonstrating His righteousness and holiness (the primary reason) was also a way for Christ to be empathic with our temptations when we pray to God through Him. It should be noted how Christ defeated Satan's temptation. Although He was fully God He didn't call upon a miraculous-God-powered-spell down on Satan. He didn't poof Satan out of the way. Christ, being fully man, did exactly was we are to do when confronted with Satan's words of temptation - we are to rely, by faith in God's Word through faith. Notice how Christ quotes Scripture to fight Satan's allurements: He quickly goes to God's Word using the shield of Faith (Ephesians 6) and the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6 and Hebrews 4:15). In Hebrews 11:1-5 we read that faith allows us to find approval from God. God's Word is not passive. When mixed with faith it becomes a fully drawn sword for spiritual battle against God's and our primary enemey. Use God's WORD to defeat Satan's tempting dialogue.

Don't fear them - Fear Him - Isaiah 7-11

We teach our children not to fear the "scary" thing in the closet or under the bed. Although the child's fear are real the thing they fear is often not. When we hear bad news, fear opens our minds to evil possibilities rather than thoughts of joy. Fear is a genuine emotion we get lost in and around. Even the strongest of warriors experiences the emotion of fear. In Isaiah 7 we see that King Ahaz was informed that the Arameans were coming to "conquer Jerusalem" and he, like most, naturally fell into the "fear mode." In 7:2 we read that he feared so much he shook like trees do when they are blown by the wind. I don't know too many leaders, in the same situation, who wouldn't fear what man might do to them. But, God tells the King that these armies are nothing more than "smoldering shrubs" and that they should not fear them but Fear Him (7:4 and 8:13). He tells them that the plans of these wicked forces will come to naught (7:7). This is true of all of man's plans that don't harmonizes with God's plans. Now it is true that God will allow wicked men to triumph for a moment over the Godly (this is what the rest of Isaiah is about) but God will bring to naught the eventual plans of the wicked. We should not fear the plans of men and shake in terror. They may have devised sound and logical strategies. However, God is the one whom we should fear. His plans will come to fruition. We often get worried about what others are planning or conjuring up in their minds about us. Those who are in Christ and walk with Christ, have nothing to fear. Fear God and all other fears will be seen as they are truly are: Empty closets and nothing under the bed.

Do you listen to others when you hurt? Job 3-5

As Eliphaz starts to speak (the first of Job's friends to do so) he begins with the following question: “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?" As we read through Job it is important to remember that Job's friends are all going to give him counsel during his time of trouble. However, like most of us giving "words of advice" to our friends we don't always (in fact, seldom) know the whole story. Eliphaz doesn't know the Devil's deal with God. He is unaware of the "real reason" for Job's pain. So, like most of us would, he points out that the reason for the trouble is because God is discipling Job for some sin (as pointed out in previous devotionals). With that as our backdrop we would do well to consider Eliphaz's words in 4:2, above. There is much room for criticizing Eliphaz, and, all of Job's friends, in regard to "counsel" for Job. However, we should follow Eliphaz's example here. He asks Job if he could have a word with him and recognizes that Job may become impatient. The question is rhetorical in nature but gives us our lesson for the day. Proverbs states time and again that a wise person is one who can handle "reproof" (Proverbs 15:5, 10, 31). When we are going through tough times are we willing to listen to the "advice" of others? Are we at a place in our lives, despite the pain, to listen to the views of others who God may send our way to shape us? As we will find in all these "words of comfort" from Job's friends, they are not always right in their application to what is happening to Job, but they are often telling us something about God that we need to know. Are you a ready listener when times are good or bad?

God dumps blessings on us - Psalm 3-5

Wow! These three chapters of Psalms are so, so filled with great news for the person who puts their faith in Christ. God so wants to bless us. Look at just a few of the nuggets of His blessing: In 3:5 we read that "He 'sustains' us." The word "sustains" indicates that He supports us in our endeavors and our missions for Him. We have no need to trust in any aspect of ourselves ... the Lord sustains us! In 4:1 we read that "He 'relieves' us." The word here shows us that God "enlarges" our path, station, place or situation so that we can have movement and not be "pressed" by the difficulties of life. He gives us the "relief" we need to breath, to trust, to rejoice in Him no matter the difficulty. In 4:7 we read that "He puts 'gladness' in our hearts." If you ever feel "glad" or "happy" or just full of "joy" that is a gift from God!! He and He alone can make us feel so safe that we rejoice in Him, with Him and for Him. God gives us joy and makes our hearts full of gladness. In 5:11 we read that "He puts a 'shield' around us." The word here is a covering or protection ... think "teflon." God gives us the ability to go through the flames of life with a firemen's suit. He gives us the tough skin we need for hard falls. He gives us the perfect umbrella for the rain of life ... you get the point. In these three Psalms we see God's never ending gift of grace through Christ sprinkled on us every day. Rejoice in them, memorize them, read them muliple times today. God is good and He gives that goodness to us!!

Sometimes we just have to learn the value of failing - Joshua 6-10

God sometimes allows bad things to happen to us so that we can learn to trust Him in our failures and He can turn the failure into a strategy for success later. Only God has the power to do that: To turn our failures into success. In Joshua 7:8 we read that Joshua was worried that their defeat against Ai was going to mark them before their enemies as cowards and they would be seen as weak. Of course, at the time he didn't know about Achan's sin and the reason for the defeat at Ai ... somewhat due to his and the nations own pride. God, after clearing up the reason for the defeat by punishing Achan, uses the defeat as a way to entice the enemy to chase after them. In 8:6 we see that the very thing that Joshua was afraid of (that the enemy would think they are weak) would be used as the cheif strategy agains Ai. God and God alone can turn our biggest defeat into a victory for Him. God knows that we will fail. He only wants us to trust Him in our failure and allow Him to turn the failure into a skill. In Psalm 144:1 we see David praising God for teaching him how to fight and how to war. Here, in Joshua, we have the same teaching. God uses a failure to teach Joshua how to war and how to trust Him in the war. Never think that failure is the end of the day. God will use the failure to find a way for us to have a stretgy for future victory.

The burden of Noah's name - Genesis 4-7

When Noah was born his father named him Noah, which means "rest." It was the hope of his father that Noah would, "This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed". Noah is a picture in the Old Testement of Christ. Peter using Noah in 1 Peter 3 to provide an insight into Christ's work in us today. Noah's father hoped that Noah would be the promised Savior mentioned in Genesis 3. How significant is that for us today? We know that Noah did not remove the curse of Genesis 3 but we do know that the Savior would come through the Noahic line - and He did (Matthew 1). We know that men in those days, so many years removed from Genesis 3 were still, by faith, looking for a Savior. Salvation in both the OT and NT has been and will ever be a Salvation by Faith. Noah wasn't the Christ but he was a picture of Christ. By faith we need to look to the Savior who DID take away the curse of Genesis 3. It is only through a Savior that this curse can be removed. We are all under a curse (from Noah's day until today). Christ, the one who came from the line of Noah, took away that curse and gave us "rest." He gives us rest from the curse and rest in the arms and relationship with God. Rejoice in the true rest He gives.

Do you think of your salvation as a debt to pay? Romans 1-2

Paul knew that the salvation afforded him by God was a true gift. He was so cognitive of the "gift" factor that he felt any service he was to "give" back to God was in actuality a "debt". In 1:14 we read, "I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish." In my translation the word used is "obligation." In other versions, it is "debt". Paul did not see his salvation like many of today's believers count it. Today we have so many who believe they "chose" Christ and they came to some knowledge from their deep investigation. Paul's version is that God choose him when he was dead and lifeless. God then enabled him to serve Him. This is why Paul uses the tern in verse one, "bond-servant." We must get out of the mindset that we are a gift to God. God is a gift to us. We need Him - He doesn't need us. We are obligated to serve. We have a debt to pay. We are not here to simply enjoy life on earth and wait to further enjoy eternal life tomorrow. Paul saw an obligation to tell others about Christ. We have the same obligation. Go today and pay the debt.

God uses "insignificant" women - Matthew 1-2

When we read through the genology of Jesus in Matthew chapter one we read the names of key "men" of the household. These men were "significant" men in Israel's history and have a story in and of themselves. However, as we read through the list we see four women who are mentioned. Two the four are not necessarily of "favored" status ... like Mary (one of the four) was. Raheb is mentioned in the genology. She was the harlot that the spies encounter when they spied out Jericho. She hid the spies and then later, when the walls fell, her house (located on that wall) was spared, as was she. Here you have God using a hooker to accomplish His ends. One of the other women was Bethsheba. She committed adultery with King David and David eventually had her husband put in a situation he would surely lose his life. Even though she failed in faithfulness to her husband, God not only uses her in the royal line of Jesus birth but takes time to mention her name. Ruth, of course, was a star in this list; perhaps more than most of the men. She even has a book of the Bible named after her. She is the picture of faithfulness and commitment. A name you would expect to see in this list ... accept, of course, she is a women! The last name, of course, is young virgin Mary. Nothing we know of her signals she should be considered for such a tasks as the birth of the Savior. Yet, God used her. In these four women we see God at work. He uses those others wouldn't and list out those who have the least significance in life. We might skip of reading this list of names. It might read like a phone book. However, God has given us the names of significant people to Him. To others we might be rejected, but to God even those of lesser earthly fame are worthy of His mention and His use. God can use us as well, as we yield to Him.

When man is humbled God is exalted - Isaiah 1-6

The book of Isaiah is about God telling the nation "why" he is going to judge them for their sins (and, what those sins are), as well as what will happen when God does judge them and yet, in the end, gives a remnant a blessing through His Son. It begins with the sins. It ends with the blessings. The sin, as seen in chapter two, is that man trusted in themselves and the things they could accumulate. Their collective accumlations brought PRIDE to their hearts. In 2:11 we see God letting us know the very reason for judgement: "Isaiah 2:11 - The proud look of man will be abased And the loftiness of man will be humbled, And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." But, note what happens when man is humbled - "the Lord alonew will be exalted in that day." In 5:16 we read, "But the Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgment, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness." Our society, and especially false preachers, have made the "judgement of God" and evil thing. Man (and Men-of-God) have made it appear as though God is evil when He executes justice on man and "judges" him. Yet, we read in this section of Isaiah that when man gets proud, he lives without God (5:12b). And, when God judges them for that pride He, and HE alone, is exalted. God is exalted by executing His righteousness against arrogant man. When prideful men are humbled God is exalted.

To all "friends" who forget their roles - Job 1-2

If you have ever read the book of Job you will be completely understanding of this devotional. If you are not famaliar with Job's story you might be a little lost. Job, as we read in this section, was attacked by Satan. His three friends come to visit him. We will learn over the next weeks, as we read the story, that his three friends actually cease to be his friends and become his psychologist and/or annalysis for the remainder of the book. However, their intent is fair. In 2:11 we read, "they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him." It goes on in verse twelve to say that when they saw him they did not recognize him. They actually sat with him for a week and said nothing: Perhaps the best thing a friend can actually do in these cases. After this they will "open their mouths" to speak and that is when they forget their roles. Why is it that friends think they should also be psychologist for us? As we will read throughout the next chapters, each of the three friends feels obligated to tell Job "why" he is in this situation. Rather than meet the needs of his torment, they want to determine why it has happened to him. It is important, when we see others going through struggles and torments, that we keep our roles intact. We ought to be friends when that is our role; that calls for no questions as to "why" but rather meeting specific needs. If our role is to minister to the why than that is the role we take. But, these three came and forgot the purpose they stated and made an "appointment" to do: To sympathize and comfort Job. When others struggle make sure you know your role and fulfill it.

There is no "neutral" ground when it comes to Christ - Psalm 1-2

The English word "homage" is a little used word in our society. It is used to translate the Hebrew word "nashaq" in Psalm 2:12 of our reading section. It is mostly translated in our Bible as the word "kiss" (over 20 times). After composing a Hebrew poem about the kings of this earth rejecting God and conspiring to "escape" from God (2:2), the writer finishes the Psalm telling us to "Do homage to the Son." He goes onto say that by so doing (homage ... or, a kiss) we will squelch His wrath. We have here both a warning and a wanting for us. God wants us to have the Son in the center of our lives; to kiss Him as the One Supreme. We don't often think of the converse of that, but when we fail to have Christ in the center we incur His wrath. There is no middle ground. You can't be in "nuetrel" when it comes to Christ. The lastest "poll" research shows that today's society is not as much atheist or agnostics as they apathetic. They somehow believe "neutral" will keep them safe. They believe they can be non-committed and be safe. Over 3,000 ago a poet already debunked that idea. You can't be neutral in regard to the Son. You either have Him in the center, the object of your kiss, or you are the center of His wrath.

God's timing isn't always favorable to the human condition - Joshua 1-5

In Joshua 3:15 we read that Joshua and the priest were to step into the Jordan river with the Ark. Once they did, the waters were to "stand in a heap" as they passed by on dry ground (like Moses' leadership at the Red Sea). I love the little line in verse 15 that reads as a parenthetical statement, "(for the Jordan overflows all ist banks all the days of harvest)." God could have picked a day that the Jordan was not flooding. There we days and places the people could walk across in shallow waters. However, God specifically choose a time frame and a place where His power would be needed to complete the task. God does the same thing for you and I today. There are many times when God could allow things to happen in our lives that DON'T demonstrate His power or have a need to show His majesty. But, God purposefully puts us into situations (or, allows our situations to unfold) where His power can be seen. God could have allowed Paul to get to Rome in a much easier method that what we read in Acts 25-28. But, had He, His miracles would not be revealed. Joseph could have reached the second chair of Egypt's royal court without the pit and the prison, but God used that method to demonstrate His power. God wanted the nation to see that Joshua was now the chosen leader by Him and He used a miracle to demonstrate it (Joshua 4:14). When the human conditions don't look favorable for us, we might want to ask, "What miracle is God waiting to perform." Hardship and hardtimes and hardplaces are simply a place God can use to perform an awe-inspiring miracle.

God "said" - Genesis 1-3

There are so many people who have a problem with God's creating all this in six days. The devolutionist theories it had to be done via some thousands of years process and the religious make the days to be thousands of years saying the "days" were simply metaphors. Why man has problems with creation is obvious for many reasons. If they admit a God created they are morally and logically obligated to worship Him. But, there may be another reason they reject God creating the world and all that is in it in the way it is recorded in Genesis 1-3. In the passage it says that God "said" and it was so. It is God's Word that created the heavens, the earth, the cattle, the birds; all of it. That makes God's voice, His word, very powerful. In John 1:1-3 we understand that God's Word is made flesh in the Person of Christ. God's Word is supreme. As we take on the task of reading through it this year we must always realize that the central theme of God's Word is Christ and the power of God's Word is supreme. God "said" and it was created. God "said" and it was so. So, read the Bible through in its entirity and we will see that God's Word is not only powerful enough to created a world it is powerful enough to change and manage yours and mine.

Are you one of "those" people? Jude

It is fitting in this Bible reading program designed to read the Bible through in a year that we end with the book of Jude; a warning to beware of false teachers. Jude reminds us all (every generation of the Church) to stay away from false teachers and to be aware of their dangers to us and the Church. He doesn't identify them by name but actually refers to them as "these" teachers and gives us four ways to view them. He first refers to them as "these are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feast" (v. 12). You don't have to be a boater to realize the dangers of a "hidden reef." A reef is a sudden shallow self that can tear the bottom right out of the boat. These false teachers hide in the midst of your "Love Feast" (a celebratory time the Church worships Christ). The run church into the ground like a ship torn at the keel. He then calls them "these men" that Enoch warned about (v. 14). Enoch prophesied about angels coming to battle false teachers who were four ways "ungodly" (vs. 15). In verse sixteen Jude calls them "grumblers" who find fault". May I say here this doesn't have to be be fulfilled by formal teachers. Many in today's Church can fulfill this aspect of "these" men. Finally, in verse seventeen we read they are men who cause division. Their false teaching and ungodly complaining eventually produces divisions among the church. I see this a real example of today's church and our current battle. The fact of divisions in the church is the product of false teachers who sneak in and hide (like dangerous reefs) and sow discord and discontent to get their own, self-convinced, doctrines to be that of the Church. They eventually divide the Church. The read-through-the-Bible program is designed to teach us great doctrine to avoid "these" men. I find that in the Church we are either one of His people, or one of "those" people.