Our Sin Can Be Destructive In Many Ways

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chps 20-22

Clearly, Saul's sin of jealousy and rage is destructive as he strikes down even men of God and their entire families:

 ¹⁸ The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. ¹⁹ He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. 

Yet even words themselves can be equally as destructive.  I know for myself as I am harsh with my own son Zach and even with my own wife Lisa.  Although I have heard God's words here - I have not yet fully taken them to heart.

⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4).

 My Prayer: Lord, you have shown me mercy with my sin and you continue to do so - thank you God for your love, compassion, forgiveness and mercy.  Your love abounds!  Help me Lord avoid sin with my children - help me not exasperate my children and family with my sharp rebukes.  Help me Lord.  Help me point them to you and help me show them your love through me.

What Does It Take To Get That God is Talking to You

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 19

The Lord was clearly with David as is described in this chapter.  Saul repeatedly tries to kill David as his jealousy grew strong over David.  Jonathan, David's wife Michal, and Samuel all protected David.

As well, God came upon both Saul's men and even Saul himself:

"the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men" (verse 20)

...

^"So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him..." (verse 23)

God is clearly intervening on David's behalf and speaking directly to Saul, yet Saul's jealousy and anger are so strong that he cannot hear God talking directly to him in terms that are both loud and clear.

Satan's work is powerful.

My Prayer: Lord, you have protected me often from harm and you continue to keep me from harm.  You are my rock and thank you for your protection.  Forgive me for my sinful nature and forgive me when I neglect you and allow sin to separate myself from you.  Please help me draw closer to you and protect me from sin and from Satan's powerful hand.

What Is God's Idea of Intimacy Between Two Men

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 18

Many who know me know that I am a strong advocate for men to growth in their faith alongside other men.  This is clearly what God intends.  Here in 1 Samuel, there is greater clarity and definition of this intimacy.

Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

This one speaks for itself.  Yet there is more...

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

This last one above is less instinctive.  Above and beyond any natural connections or areas of life where there is common ground that we share with another man, there needs to be an explicit "unnatural" step of a covenant that cements any bond.

For me, I see:

(1) Oneness
I am in someone else's life and someone else is in my life - to the point where one life is indistinguishable from another.  The common denominator is faith and love of God.

(2) Love
This love builds on the common bond of faith and love of God and extends into natural connections where earthly life is shared.

(3) Covenant
This is a commitment that pushes us to support each other through thick and thin, much like a marriage.  When it does not feel natural, we do it anyway - the it being love someone as you love yourself and to support each other even when you don't feel like it.

My Prayer: Lord, you have placed men in my life that have proven to be brothers, in Christ and otherwise.  I am in awe of how you designed this and your plan for me played itself out in terms of their blessing for my life.  Thank you for these men.  Forgive me if I put too much faith in my own plan and if I am not the brother you want me to be.  Help me create brothers for other men, for me to be a brother and help me submit to your will for me to have brothers in my life.

God is to Shine Through Us - For HIS Glory

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 17

God calls us out to be separate, to be bold and to be a light onto others.  Yet this means different things depending on the occasion.

Notice here how David talks and acts tough as he has been called by God to take on Goliath.

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 

 Earlier in 1 Samuel 16 - he is a humble servant. 

¹⁸ One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

  

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

 ²¹ David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

 ²³ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Whatever the role we play in life, the response from others should be consistent as it is with Saul.

After David slays Goliath in chapter 17, Saul's response is consistent:

 ⁵⁵ As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” 

What is interesting here is that Saul forgets David's name - David loses his identity, yet God shines through him anyway and all that he does is for God's glory not his own.

My Prayer: Lord I have seen your work in my own life and it is amazing.  Praise that I can be part of your plan.  Forgive me when I take glory for my own work or when I seek my own plan.  Please help me lose myself, focus on you, and let you shine through me for your glory. 

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at."

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 16

As Samuel mourns over the disappointment of Saul in the Lord's eyes, the Lord comes to Samuel and indicates that He has chosen a new king and sets Samuel on the path to find and anoint the new king - David.

Without telling Samuel who the new king is, he reveals what is the most important component in the new king...and in us:

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

My Prayer: You have transformed my heart and ways that I have not imagined possible - you are so powerful and I am thankful for your work in me.  Forgive me for my neglect and disobedience.  Further penetrate my heart and help me be more like you.

Partial Obedience is NOT Obedience and Nothing Can Compensate!

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chps 13-15

Although God is in control, He does give us free will to do what we wish.  Against His wishes He gives the Israelites a king in Saul.  Unsurprisingly, Saul disappoints.  In response to Saul's partial obedience (with a sacrifice to "compensate" for this partial obedience), Samuel says to Saul:

 “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
²³ For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
   and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
   he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

This scenario plays out in my own life as I may read and study God's word some of the time but not daily, or I may pray some of the time but not daily, etc.


I say things to myself that I am fairly consistent or I am doing better than I used to...but all of this is not good enough, certainly not good enough in God's eyes.  Who am I to rationalize my behavior as obedience - is this NOT arrogance to the highest degree?


My Prayer: Lord, you are a God of mercy and of grace.  In spite of my shortcomings and arrogance you bless me.  How great you are!  Thank you for my blessings, your love, and your grace.  Forgive me for my arrogance.  Please help love and obey you with 100% of my heart and soul.

Lift Up to the Lord That Which is "Hopeless"

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 12

As Samuel grows old he appears before the Israelites with a farewell speech.  He confronts them with their evil both past and present and he reminds them that God has always shown mercy, grace and forgiveness. 

²⁰ “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹ Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. ²² For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. ²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. ²⁴ But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. ²⁵ Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 

Lately, I have been frustrated about my own son's lack of desire about both the church and God. 

Samuel's life and his actions/words here serve as powerful guidance for me.
(1) It is critical that I see my own son's life and direction in God's hands that I am a steward and instrument of God.  As part of this I must pray to God for God's direction and for my son (verse 23)
(2) Continue to teach, and find new and innovative ways to teach the Lord to those in my care - my family (verse 23)
(3) Live a life worthy of imitation (verse 24)
(4) Maintain a pure heart - while it is expected that we will always have a sinful nature, we must always repent, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to him.

My Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me beyond imagination and you have also always shown me great mercy. How great you are!  Thank you for the blessing of my children.  Forgive me for my critical nature both to my wife and to my children.  Help me rid myself of this, pray to you for guidance and protection for my family, and for their faith and walk with you/love of you.

God Often "Pulls" Us Up

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chps 9-11

This week a frequent topic among my Christian brothers is how God calls us up.  Noah, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and now Saul.  While initially Saul does not express any resistance or worry, when the time comes to be publicly called out for the role God intends - King of Israel - Saul hides.

¹⁷ Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah ¹⁸ and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ ¹⁹ But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” 

 ²⁰ When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. ²¹ Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. ²² So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

And later after he is appointed King, there are those who are doubtful and Saul lacks the confidence to step into the role to prove his worthiness.

²⁶ Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. ²⁷ But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. 

Ultimately, Saul routs the Philistines in chapter 11 and perhaps his confidence was there already and he was the strong silent type...regardless, for me I see that God call us up and often times this is a matter of being "pulled" up and maybe even dragged along if the resistance is great.   Sometimes God has to take clear explicit steps to make us aware of our calling.

My Prayer: Lord, I have seen how you have shaped and molded me to serve for your glory.  Your design and your plans are awesome!  Forgive me for my doubt and concern.  Help me trust you more that I can be an instrument of greatness in your hands.

We Do Not Need An Earthly King!

Today's Reading
Samuel Chp 8

When we feel our God is not sufficient, we seek alternatives as the Israelites do here. 

⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. ⁵ They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” (Verses 4-5)

God correctly saw this not as a rejection of Samuel's sons but a rejection of God.

⁷ And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. (Verse 7)

The Lord then instructs Samuel to let the Israelites to have their way - to let them have an earthly King.  And he instructs the Israelites to warn them of the consequences of an imperfect earthly king that will rule over the Jews.

(1) What about God is not sufficient - God has and continues to do so many awesome things for us corporately and personally.  When was the last time I listed all my blessings?
(2) Why don't we bring our grievances to God - he listens to us and he is merciful.  We may not get what we want but rest assured if we are close to God through prayer and study, He will make His will known and his will and plans for perfect.

My Prayer: Lord, I know your ways, your works, and your plans are great!  It is just inspiring that you can use me as part of your glorious plans.  Forgive me when I stop listening to you and stop obeying you.  Help me love you more, seek you out, trust you more, and follow you more - help me be bold!

Truth Is Everywhere - If Yor Are Listening

Today’s Reading

1 Samuel Chps 2-7

“In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

In the OT, the ten commandments existed and while God had spoken directly to the Israelites at the foot of Mt Sinai, from that point forward due to fear, the Israelites did not have God speak to them directly. Instead they did so through prophets.  Samuel became one of those prophets.  With Christ we have the Lord our God, through Him he can talk directly through prayer and other means, we also have the Word itself, pastors, our Christian brothers and sisters – all of whom serve as means for us to understand the Lord’s word for us. 

My Prayer: Your word for me is beyond wisdom – it is Truth.  Thank you for how you have provided Truth in my life. Forgive me when I neglect or do not listen to any one of the ways that you can talk to me.  Help me focus on ALL the ways that you speak to me. 

NOTE: Transcription of offline study from 03DEC.

Struggle or Submit – Or Both?

Today’s Reading

1 Samuel Chp 1

Although Hannah’s womb was closed (v5),  she prays (v10-11) to the Lord who in turn gives Hannah a child (v20).  The interesting question here for me is whether Hannah should have submitted to God’s will regarding her infertility.  Since God caused (v5) her infertility, should Hannah not have peacefully submitted to His will and understood how she was to be used regarding His purpose if she was not to be a mother?  Instead she struggled with this – see v7, 10, and 15-16.

As it sometimes is, this is not a black and white issue.  Of course, we are to submit, find peace and joy with how God blesses us.   While God wants us to faithfully submit and serve Him based on what we have, struggle is OK as long as it does not get in the way of us being faithful to God or walking away from God?  Struggle and back and forth with God is a healthy sign of a relationship with God.

My Prayer:

Lord, I have seen how you use all of my blessings and experiences for your glory and your plan is perfect.   Thank you for how you have helped me protected me, overcome and how you have blessed me. Forgive me when I disobey you, when I don’t follow you, and when I don’t trust you.  Help me stay close to you, help me understand how my current circumstance is by your design and that I should stay near to you so I can be part of your perfect plan.

NOTE: Transcription from offline study 30NOV.

Help Me See How Difficult Circumstances Are For God's Glory

Today's Reading
Ruth Chps 1-4

Naomi's husband and two sons both died and she then grieved and felt "afflicted" by the Lord:

²⁰ “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. ²¹ I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”  (Ruth 1:20-21)

This of course is natural - I would do this too (and I have).  Key though is to take a step back and instead ask the question, how is God using me and my experiences for his glory and what blessings may result either for me or others?

Ultimately, the blessing was the birth of Obed, the grandfather of David.

¹³ So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. ¹⁴ The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! ¹⁵ He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” 

 ¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. ¹⁷ The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:13-17)

My Prayer: Lord, I understand that your plans while not revealed to me, are great and I am humbled that you would use me for your glory.  You are great and I am truly humbled that you can use me.  Forgive me when I don't see this.  Help me see how my current experiences are for your glory that I may find joy no matter the circumstances and bring glory to you each and every day.  Help me desire you more every day, draw closer to you, be more like you, trust you more, and be obedient to you.

Do We Need An Earthly Leader?

Today's Reading
Judges Chp 21

Must we as humans have an earthly leader to provide direction and protection?  The Israelites clearly seemed to think so and without one, sin ruled.

The last few chapters of Judges begin with "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. "  And the last chapter of Judges ends with this statement.

After God spoke directly to the Israelites through the fire and cloud at the base of Mt Sinai the Israelites, out of fear, requested to speak to God only through others such as Moses and Joshua.  Without such a leader or king, the Israelites cannot sustain their faith, trust and obedience in God. 

The question becomes, don't we place earthly people ahead of God in our lives.  We may place pastors often ahead of our own relationship with God.  For example, if we only attend church and hear the sermon once a week, don't we place emphasis of the pastor and the church above our own daily relationship with God?

My Prayer: Lord, you are powerful, wise, loving, and merciful.  Forgive me when I seek this through others - a king if you may.  Help me deepen my relationship with you, desire for you, love for you, trust of you, faith in you, and obedience to you.

God Can Redeem All That We Have Done for His Glory

Today's Reading
Judges Chp 16

Although today's reading and post is similar to yestereday's, I feel greater clarity today.  Many times I have struggled with my own sin and history and whether I can ever be free of the consequences.  Yet, here, with Samson, we see that if we can finally submit to God's great and perfect will, God can redeem and use all of our experiences, sin, and consequences for his glory.

With Samson, his final revenge on the Philistines is when he is captured after his head is shaved and he is chained to the temple:

²⁸ Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” ²⁹ Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, ³⁰ Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.  (Judges 16:28-30)

I pray that I can submit to God's will as Samson did.

My Prayer: Lord, I now that you have used me for your great glory as I have seen your work through me with your own hands and with my own eyes.  Oh how you are awesome that you can use me - as I feel I am an ordinary person strengthened ONLY through you!  Forgive me for neglect and scattered attention.  Help me draw near to you, understand your will for me, submit to your will, and to be obedient and more like you.  Help me love you more each day Lord.

God Allows Us and Others to Sin For His Perfect Purpose

Today's Reading
Judges Chp 14

As Samson does here (see previous entry where Joshua implores the Israelites not to associate with sinners), I have many times ignored the clear will of God and sinned anyway.   Yet God allows Samson's sin to occur and He is able to use it for his glory and perfect plan.  See verse 4:

(His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) (Judges: 14:4)

Today I am not following the way of the Lord that says:

 ⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

I am a controlling person and this is a weakness that I need to give up to God and perhaps this is the way he wants me to do this - for Zach to be strong willed child and for me let Zach be and allow God to be in control - for me to submit to God's perfect will and plan.

My Prayer: Lord, your plan is glorious as I have seen you work in my heart and my life and in the life of others - praise God that you are in my life!  Forgive me for my laziness in seeking you out.  Help me submit to your will in all areas of my life, particularly with my children and Zach in particular for me not to exasperate him.  Help me with this Lord.

Do NOT Command the Lord - Show Respect and Humility!

Today's Reading
Judges Chp 13

I know I have done this before - just as Manoah (father of Samson) has - which is to be so bold as to to challenge the will of the Lord.  Manoah and his wife are to give birth to Samson and Manoah is busy focusing on his OWN will and desires:

¹⁵ Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.”

 ¹⁶ The angel of the LORD replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the LORD.) (Judges 13:15-16)

Manoah continues to question the angel of the Lord, and then the angel grows impatient:

¹⁷ Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?”

  

¹⁸ He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” ¹⁹ Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: ²⁰ As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame.  Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. ²¹ When the angel of the LORD did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the LORD. (Judges 13:17-21)

I see God's words and God's work throughout the day yet I question God at every turn...who AM I to question and command the Lord?  I should trust and follow God.

My Prayer: Lord, I am truly blessed as I so many ways.  You are awesome.  Yet I find myself questioning you often - forgive me.  Help me trust you, love you, follow you and obey.

Submit to God's Plan Because It is His Glory We Seek, Not Our Own

Today's Reading
Judges 7

² The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ ³ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

  

⁴ But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

 ⁵ So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” ⁶ Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

 ⁷ The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” ⁸ So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Here we see how Gideon seeks to defeat the Midianites yet he desires his OWN plan vs the glory of God.  Yet God speaks to Gideon and reminds him that it is the glory of God that must be the outcome.  While Gideon's men ultimately defeat the Midianites, the message of glory to God is ultimately lost on the Israelites as they return to their evil ways:

³³ No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god ³⁴ and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. ³⁵ They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them. (Judges 8: 33-35)

How can we focus on the glory of God.

First of all, we must remind ourselves daily of what He has done for us and we must live in the light of the Lord - to be in scripture and in relationship with Him.  See my previous entry.

My Prayer:  Lord, you are truly great - I have seen you bless me and others.  You are AWESOME! Thank you for all that you have done for me and all that you are!  Forgive me if I am not as obedient as you wish.  Help me know you more, desire you more, love you more, trust you more, follow you and become more like you Lord.

Must Continue to Teach Ways of the Lord and Retell His Glory...Lest We Forget

Today's Reading
Judges Chps 1-2

After Joshua dies, the Israelites once again fall away from the Lord.

¹⁰ After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. ¹¹ Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. ¹² They forsook the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD’s anger ¹³ because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. ¹⁴ In his anger against Israel the LORD gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. ¹⁵ Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.  (Judges 2:10-15)

No surprise.  We must remain present to the Lord daily lest we forget.  Study, pray, remember your blessings, worship, etc.

This reminds me of words I read in Deuteronomy:

⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.(Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

For God to be visible to us we must make Him visible.


My Prayer: Lord I DO love you yet I desire to love you more.  Forgive me that I don't love you with all of my heart - I am lazy and I am disobedient.  Help me Lord.  Help me draw nearer to you Lord.

Look Back to Remind Self of Blessings and as Means to Reaffirm Faith

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 24

What comes to mind here after reading this chapter of Joshua is George Santayana's quote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".

Here Joshua is near death and he speaks to the Israelites for the last time, retelling a brief history of how God delivered the Jews to the promised land.

For ourselves, it is important to remember the past to recall how we have sinned yet God forgives, delivers and blesses us.  It also provides an opportunity for us to reaffirm our faith as Joshua does here by challenging the Israelites to reaffirm the covenant and faith they have with God.

¹⁹ Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. ²⁰ If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”

 ²¹ But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.”

 ²² Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.”

   “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.

 ²³ “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

 ²⁴ And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.”

 ²⁵ On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws.

My Prayer: Lord, I KNOW you have blessed me and delivered me from sin and I am truly thankful.  Yet I know that you desire more from me.  Forgive me for my disobedience and laziness and help me draw nearer to you, love you more, desire you more, follow you and obey you.

Do Not Associate

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 23

Once again Joshua warns the Israelites to be very careful.  Here he uses the words "be careful" and once again "be very careful" to underscore the importance of always being on guard.  Then he goes on to explain HOW to be careful.  One of the ways where we can be careful is through the relationships we keep.  Joshua explains it this way:

⁷ Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them.

... 

 ¹² “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, ¹³ then you may be sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the LORD your God has given you. 

 Joshua warns of us association which the dictionary defines here as "to join as a partner, friend, or companion".  In the New Testament, Paul warns Timothy also of this:

¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.(2 Tim 3:1-5)

While there may be some variance in terms of whom we should avoid based on Joshua's warning vs Paul's, the point is nonetheless that we need to be careful for how other people separate us from God.  There is only ONE truth and ONE way.

My Prayer: Lord, your truth has set me free and I am thankful for you have taken control of my life and helped me in so many ways.  Forgive me for my neglect or your will and for my desires to be IN the world vs in YOU.  Help me love you more every day and with all of my heart and to follow you with all of my heart.

Be VERY Careful to Listen to God's Will

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 22

Here we see how Joshua praises the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for their obedience to the Lord:

Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh ² and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. ³ For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you. ⁴ Now that the LORD your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. ⁵ But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

In the same breath, Joshua warns the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be "very careful".  Why?  Because he knows how quickly we can fall away - we are but human, and he has seen how quickly the Israelites disobeyed the Lord.

After the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh reach their homes on the west side of the Jordan (not on the same side at the other tribes of Israel), they built an altar and without knowing more than this, the Israelites confronted the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to scold them of building an altar of worship to other Gods.  Yet, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh and explain themselves and the Israelites find favor with the altar.

³² Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites. ³³ They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.

 ³⁴ And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the LORD is God. 

While this story seems to end well - it raises important questions, such as:
- was this altar truly God's will or was it the will of the Reubenites and the Gadites? 
- to what extent do I "take license" with God's will and substitute my own will?

Needless to say, I (and we) need to be very careful indeed.  I know how powerful my own selfish interests are and in a heartbeat I can substitute God's will with my own.

My Prayer: Lord, I know your will for my life is great and it is perfect.  I have seen how my life has played out and I am truly blessed that you are in my life and you are in control.  Thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed on me.  Forgive me when I try to substitute my own will.  Help me love you more every day, draw closer to you every day, and be more like you every day.

The Lord Keeps ALL His Promises - On HIS Time!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 21

While people let us down all the time, I am reminded here that God never let us down:

⁴³ So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. ⁴⁴ The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. ⁴⁵ Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

The author here notes that God promised land to the forefathers of those who have now arrived in Canaan.  Yet even for those who arrived, they KNOW how old the promise - it is important to see how God keeps his promises and it is also important to be mindful of how God has his own timing!  In this case, the Israelites delivered from Egypt waited 40 years (and only the likes of Joshua and Caleb survived) - this of course can certainly test faith.

My Prayer: Lord, you have proven faithful to me and you have delivered to me a life transformed.  Every time I turn to you, YOU deliver!  Forgive me when I think you don't.  Help me understand and be mindful of your timing and to remain faithful and focus on your timing and your plan - help me be obedient and faithful.

Caleb: Faithful for Over 45 Years!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 14

Caleb earlier here showed his faithfulness and courage in following God and now that he has accompanied the Israelites to the promised land, he has once again demonstrated his faithfulness.  Forty-five years after the Lord promised Caleb hill country in the promised land, Caleb remains faithful that God would keep his promise and provide this land as an inheritance to him and his descendants.  Today his faithfulness is rewarded.

 ⁶ Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'

 ¹⁰ "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." 

 ¹³ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. ¹⁴ So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. 
This is persistence and faithfulness - forty five years worth!

My Prayer: Lord, I know you have great plans for me as I have seen how you have gifted and used me for your glory.  Help me once again understand your direction for my life and help me follow your will for my life.  Help me trust you and be both obedient and faithful.

Do ALL That the Lord Commands

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 11

Here Joshua continues to defend against Israel's enemies and the Lord delivers all of them into Joshua's hands.  it is because Joshua does ALL that the Lord commands:

¹⁵ As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. 

For me the question, AM I doing all that the Lord commands?  This is a tough question because I first need to understand God's direction for my life, and for this to happen I need to be in relationship with the Lord through study, prayer, reflection, and through other disciplines such as being in community with other believers for them to speak Truth into my life.

My Prayer: Lord, I know that your plan for me is great as I have seen your work in my life so far and it has been amazing!  Thank you for how you have blessed me beyond my imagination.  Forgive me for my neglect of you in prayer, study and reflection.  Help me draw closer to you, have a deeper desire to you, help me listen to you and discern your will for my life and then help me be obedient.

It is CLEAR the Lord is at Work!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 10

There are occasions when God  wants to make it absolutely clear who is in charge and to whom we should worship.  This is one of those occasions.  God not only wants to deliver all of Israel's enemies into Joshua's hands but He wants to do so in a way so that all around can see God's power and glory.

For example, God fights for Israel, but even stops the setting of the sun and the rise of the moon:

¹² On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
       "O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
       O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."

 ¹³ So the sun stood still,
       and the moon stopped,
       till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,
      as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
      The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. ¹⁴ There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! 

My Prayer: Many days I struggle to see you Lord and on these days I long to see your power and might - forgive me Lord on these days because I know you are great.  Thank you tonight for the blessing of my family, my health and time with you.  Help me draw closer to you and desire you more...help purify me, refine me and help me follow you.

We Are Called to Confront Sin of Others!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 7

First we see great sin by Achan. 

¹ But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel.

Then, the Israelites are beaten back and suffer a heavy loss at the hands of the Amorites in Ai.  Joshua tears his clothes in anguish and moans to the Lord that the Israelites should not have been delivered so far only to be beaten back at this point - he is concerned that now the Israelites will suffer great harm from all of their enemies who might surround the Israelites.

 Yet God is impatient with Joshua and instead admonishes him and instructs him to confront the sin of Achan:

¹⁰ The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. ¹² That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

  

¹³ "Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.

So Joshua does as the Lord instructs and Achan and his family are removed and Achan is put to death.

My Prayer: Lord, You have delivered me from great difficulties and trying times and I am in awe of how You work your miracles and protect and provide for me.  I am so blessed - most importantly that You are in my life!  Thank you for your word, the church and for the brothers and sisters you have placed in my life to deliver and support me - all for your glory!  Forgive me for my neglect of my relationship with you.  Help me focus on you and not on work or other matters that are clearly not as important as you.  Help me confront sin in my own life and in the life of my family and brothers and sisters.  For sin that I see in others help me love and bring others to you so that they see the light and the truth of Jesus Christ.

Do What!? March Around the City 6 Times!? Then Blow Trumpets and Shout on the 7th Time!?

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 6

Although this is a familiar bible story, I noticed something upon reading it this time?  Is it not strange that God conquered the city of Jericho by just having Joshua's men march around the city with the ark of the covenant 6 times without saying or doing anything, then on the 7th try with trumpets blaring and with a shout, the walls of the city crumble and the city is conquered without a fight?

Yes, this is how the story goes and to me this is a great example of how God calls us out of our comfort zone to do "strange" things so that we can see how we are part of God's great design and he can use anyone and anything and any circumstance for his glory - we just need to trust and follow him.  It then becomes a matter of staying close to God so that we can notice when he is talking to us.  Ask others if they feel your conversation with God is in line with scripture and in line with how they envision God using you.

My Prayer: Lord, I know you have used me in what may seem strange circumstances for your glory.  All of this is a mystery to me but I am nonethelss in awe of how you work - you bring it all together Lord!  How awesome you are!  Forgive me for my recent neglect of you and my resulting sin which has separated me from you.  Help purify me and keep me close to you.  Thank you for your wisdom and guidance and continue to guide me as a husband, father, worker, and a leader of men.  Help me desire you more every day, help me listen to you, help me trust you, and help me obey and follow you.

God Does Use You to Demonstrate His Might and Love To Bring Others Closer to Him

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 5

I am reminded here how God uses people to demonstrate his power and love as a means to draw others closer to Him.  In this case we see:

¹ Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.  

This is a particularly tough one for me to read and to reflect upon as I played league tennis Thursday night and had the opportunity to demonstrate the power of His love and might.  Instead I behaved poorly, threw my racquet and had temper tantrums on the court - it was embarrassing.

My Prayer: Lord, your power and might IS great as I have seen transformation both in my heart and my life as a father, husband and in other places in my life.  Yet I continue to sin - please do forgive me.  Help me stay close to you and purify me Lord.

An Ongoing Visible Sign of the Lord

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 3

It is important to remind yourself of God's greatness and that He is always with you. For the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant served as that reminder:

⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹ See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. ¹² Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. ¹³ And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD -the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."

Dave M of my small group in Newtonville, MA shared this set of letters from Brother Lawrence with me. Today's reading reminded me of the need to feel a daily presence of the Lord and how you can achieve it through a running conversation with God.

Another great idea from Mike G is to create gratitude lists from which you can reflect and praise God for how he blesses you.

My Prayer: Lord, I know you bless me and I know you love me but sometimes - like now - I feel flat. Please help me find and implement ways in my daily life to remind me of your greatness so that I can truly worship you. Forgive me for my mood now that I am "flat".

Rahab Proves That All of Us Can Be Part of God's Plan

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 2

What's great about this story is that Rahab - a prostitute - proves that all of us, regardless of our stature in life and regardless of how we feel about ourselves and what impact we can have, can be part of God's glorious plan.

See also the widow in this story in Mark:

⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

My Prayer: I have seen how I can be used as part of your plan Lord and I am in awe that you want me to part of your glory...and I am excited to have you reveal to me what plan you have for me and how you want me to step into the role you have for me. Help me step into this role - help me listen for your leading and give me courage, strength, determination, and persistence - all of which I know comes from you.

For Dustin AND Because of God: Be Strong and Courageous

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 1

After Moses dies, the Lord speaks to Joshua including this:

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Dustin's middle name is what it is it because Joshua as a spy scouting the promised land was courageous as was Caleb.

Now that I read this verse closely I see that this verse is meant not only for Joshua but also for all of us.

¹⁶ Then [the Israelites] answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. ¹⁷ Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"

We named Dustin so that he could be strong and courageous for himself, but we need to be mindful that we need to be strong and courageous for him, for others, AND most importantly because of God that he will never leave or forsake [us].

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for your protection and your love - it is everlasting and I know that you will never leave or forsake me. Thank you Lord. Forgive me for speaking ill will and thinking ill will of others. Help me with that. Help me continue to draw near to you and to desire you.

Thanks to God For Sending His One and Only Son

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 28

Wow....reading of this chapter (and listening to Moses) freaked me out and made me think about how great it is that God sent his one and only son Jesus so that we could have a NEW covenant with God. The old covenant clearly would not have worked. Just read some of the excerpts of this chapter:

¹ If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ² All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God".

Ok God I am with you so far...but then you start talking about what happens when I don't follow these commands so carefully:

²⁰ The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.

...

and here:

⁵⁸ If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God- ⁵⁹ the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses.

God sets the bar so high that it is impossible for us to reach.

But then along comes Christ and we have freedom from the law and the vicious cycle of sin and death.

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, ⁴in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

My Prayer: Lord I am thankful that you sent Jesus to earth to die for my sins so that I could have freedom from sin. We are all sinful by nature but not trapped by sin because you loved us SO much that you gave up your one and only son so that we could be free - you are great and you love ME so much - AWESOME! Forgive me for sin against my wife and children and help me draw nearer to you and through this more of the husband, father and Christian man you want me to be.

Tithe as Sacred

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 26

I am aware of God's command to tithe, yet I am reminded today of how my blessings come from Him and remain his and I am only a steward of these blessings. I need to set aside the tithe as sacred.

¹² When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. ¹³ Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. ¹⁴ I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead.

I can't recall tithe being referred to as "sacred" (dictionary defines as dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of God). Regardless, with such a definition, unless I tithe I am not just holding back from God - I am STEALING what is His. This is of course entirely different. As scripture indicates, I must remove the tithe from my house and give it (back) to God.

My Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me financially beyond what I have imagined. Forgive me for my greed and selfishness. Help me to tithe and to also be a good steward of how you have blessed me. Help me return to you what is yours.

Do Not Be Fainthearted or Afraid, Or Give Way to Panic...

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chps 19-20

As Moses continues to give instructions to the Israelites in the ways of the Lord as they prepare to enter the promised land, he reminds the Israelites of the protection provided by the Lord in ALL things.

¹ When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. ² When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. ³ He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. ⁴ For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (Deu 20: 1-4)

Can war and battle not apply to many aspects of today's life? While I may not fight physical wars or battles, I fight emotional battles all day long and Satan is fighting for my heart and soul. I definitely seek God's protection.

My Prayer: Lord, I know you protect me from Satan and all he is doing to win my heart and soul. But I can feel your strength and it is awesome and mighty. Thank you for your protection. Forgive me for my sin - especially my neglect of quiet time with you. Help me desire you more and be more like you Jesus.

You CAN Talk to God Directly!

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chps 16-18

Here in the Old Testament, Moses reminds the Israelites of their fear of direct contact with God - this is from God appearing to the Israelites through a great fire and cloud on Mt Sinai.

"Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die." (Deuteronomy 18: 16)

So, instead God provides prophets through whom we can hear God's words.

¹⁷ The LORD said to me: "What they say is good. ¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. (verse 17-18)

In the New Testament of course we have a new covenant with the Son of God. I found this link here which is useful. One of the scriptural references provided discusses how we have direct access to Jesus and there is no need for a high priest or prophet that is among us on earth. Instead we have direct access to Jesus as the Highest of All. With Jesus, we have someone that was among us and is now above us! How great is that! He can sympathize and rule over us as God - without the need for any king or prophet.

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4: 14-16)

My Prayer: Lord, I know you that you know all of the struggles I experience and you can not only sympathize with where I am but you died for me so that I can not only be cleansed of any sin but also look forward to heaven! You are so awesome and I love you. Forgive me for my weakness and protect me as I continue to seek to do your will and draw nearer to you. Thank you for how you love me and for how you talk to me through scripture, brothers and sisters and through all of the ways you speak to me. Help me love you more and be you more.

I pray for our world
- protection of our troops in battle against terrorism and in battle throughout the world
- protection of people all over the world from terrorism
- protection of those spreading the good news all over the world
- provision for those who are hungry and in need shelter
- that missionaries we know and do not know can save the unsaved

I pray for our city
- that Southbridge and other churches can reach and save the unsaved in RDU
- that our community group can be a light with how we serve

I pray for our community group
- that those seeking other groups can be connected to people for life change
- that our community group can be led re: whether to continue or to branch out into other groups
- for PD and MD to have wisdom, discernment re: financial situation and for you to provide and encourage and strengthen, and to provide peace
- for MM for nephew's protection and for sister/brother in law and baby on way
- for MM and JM for new CG and for father's new church
- for MD/MD for connection and glory with new CG
- for SD for relief/comfort/healing
- for men's ministry and that we can reach men and glorify God

I pray my family
- that those not saved in my family can be saved; that I can be a witness to them
- that my children are saved
- that I raise my children in the ways of the Lord and not raise them harshly; give me guidance
- that I glorify you in how I treat my wife and encourage her
- protection for Dustin and success with his surgery

Am I Compassionate Enough?

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 15

While I am clear that God calls us to tithe, and to be good stewards of the blessings God provides for us, I am constantly challenged to consider whether my current lifestyle (which I believe is not high on the hog but is certainly very comfortable) should change to allow for a greater degree of giving.

⁷ If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. ⁸ Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. ⁹ Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. ¹⁰ Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. ¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

I am particularly struck by how God considers it sinful if I have any ill will toward my needy brother.

My Prayer: Lord I know you have blessed me beyond my needs - I am thankful for your provision and I seek your wisdom for how best to be a good steward of these blessings. Forgive me if I have any ill will toward my needy brother and help me reach out and love my needy brother.