Posted August 14th, 2010 by Dave Madden
Scripture
For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the LORD, ‘that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.’ Jeremiah 13:11
Observation
God desires for His people to cling to Him closer than a belt that is wrapped around a man’s waist. He created us to be close to Him and dependent upon Him for our security, provision, and protection all of the days of our lives.
Application
Everyone is clinging to someone or something for security but most people are looking to the wrong source. In times of crisis and stress you will find out what you are clinging to. If you are trusting in your own strength, the economy, your 401K, or anything other than Christ you will be extremely stressed and eventually disappointed. But those who cling to Christ always and hold even tighter to Him during challenging times; will bring renown, praise, and glory to His name.
Prayer
Father, thank You for allowing us to come near to You by the blood of Christ. We cling to You today. Forgive us if we have been trusting in anything else for our security and provision. We love You and place our trust in You alone. Amen.
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Posted August 10th, 2010 by Bob Bruce
Scripture
And Jesus answered them saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.” John 12:23-25
Observation
What Jesus pictured here is an illustration of His necessary sacrifice on the cross. Unless the grain is buried in the ground, it cannot become a blade producing many more seeds. Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin, but also to show His power to defeat death. His resurrection proves He has eternal life. Because Jesus is God, Jesus can give this same eternal life to all who believe in Him and give them a life of peace and joy.
Application
We must be so committed to Christ that we “hate” our lives by comparison. This does not mean that we long to die or are careless or destructive with the life God has given us, but that we are willing to deny the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness. By laying aside our striving for advantage, security, and pleasure, we can serve God lovingly and freely. Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Christ bring eternal life and genuine joy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, take total control of my life. I accept your sacrifice for my sin and accept you as my Lord and Savior, giving you my life to use for the advance of Your kingdom in this world in what ever area You have prepared for me. Thank you that You love me so much that I can depend on You for all that is necessary to live a life of peace and joy. Amen.
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Posted August 9th, 2010 by Ben Comer
Scripture
John 11:20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him. But Mary remained seated in the house.
Observation
In another story about Jesus visiting this family, Martha is often blasted for being too busy rather than sitting at Jesus’ feet like her sister Mary. In this story Martha’s brother Lazarus is dead. Martha acts instantly once she hears that Jesus is on the way to their house. Martha waited until she knew that Jesus was on his way. The old Martha might have went out searching for Jesus as soon as Lazarus became sick. Instead Martha did not get ahead of God’s plan, but waited to follow Jesus’ lead. I have never seen this growth in Martha’s life until today.
Application
I have often been convicted of always focusing on doing rather than sitting at Jesus feet as the first story of Martha and Mary describes. Finally I get a little slack for being a doer in this story. Martha has reminded me the proper formula to acting within God’s plan. First I have to wait for Jesus to move. If I try to force God’s into acton before it is time, then it will end badly for me. Action is essential, but I can not get ahead of God’s plan and just act on my own. The second key is once you know Jesus is moving on your behalf, then run to join Him. I do not have to sit at Jesus’ feet all the time to receive His blessing, I just have to always be following His lead.
Prayer
God thank You so much for allowing me the freedom to be the person that You created me to be. I can be full of action most all the time just as long as I know I am serving right beside You. Help me to see Your hand at work all day long and work right beside You!!!
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Posted August 6th, 2010 by Gary Borgstede
Scripture
Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls — yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Observation
In this passage, the prophet Habakkuk declares his heart-filled faith in God regardless of the circumstances surrounding him. Even when the situation seems bleak and desperate: no blossoms on the fig tree or fruit on the vines; no food from the fields and no herd in the stalls, Habakkuk states that he will rejoice in the Lord and take joy in the God of his salvation.
Application
It does not matter if the circumstances surrounding me are really good or really bad, the Lord of my salvation is always good! No matter what, God is the all powerful, all sufficient, great El Shaddai and He is my loving heavenly Father. Through successes, trials, and tribulations, I know my heavenly Father is Lord of the mountaintop and Lord of the valley. Proverbs 18:10 says that, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”; therefore, whenever I am in the valley of life and the situation looks bleak, I run to the Lord and find safety in His unconditional love, grace, and mercy. Because the Lord promises in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His grace is sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in weakness, I will rejoice in the Lord and take joy in the God of my salvation – even in the midst of personal sorrows and sufferings.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are Jehovah Shammah, The Lord Is There! I thank You Lord for always being there with me and promising to never leave me nor forsake me. You are my strength when I am weak and my fortress when I am afraid. I love You Jesus! Amen!
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Posted August 5th, 2010 by Danny Mequet
Scripture
“The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” John 7:7
Observation
Being different from the world and even having people who aren’t Christ followers not understand me isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I should be different because of who Christ is in my life.
Application
I need to stand out because of my relationship with Christ. I don’t want to be weird, but I do want people to see Christ’s love in my life. It is this love that I live out that will cause Christ to be seen in my life.
Prayer
Father, please help me to live out my life for you. Let others see you and know you because of the way I live my life. I want my words and actions to speak of your amazing love and power. Help me to stand out because of who you are in my life.
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Posted August 4th, 2010 by Bob Bruce
Scripture
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem…He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or the left. 2 Kings 22:1-2
Observation
It is rare to find a king in the Bible that followed the Lord completely. Josiah was such a person and he was only eight years old when he began his reign. For 18 years he reigned obediently; then, at 26, he began the reforms based on God’s laws. Children are the future leaders of our churches and the world. No one is never to young to take God seriously and obey Him. Josiah’s early years laid the foundation for the later task of reforming Judah.
Application
How can we identify and nurture those young people that take God at His word and have determined to follow HIm? We should never assess someone’s ability to contribute to the Kingdom of God based on age. Often, those young people that are eager to follow God are the most productive early in their lives. They should be supported and allowed to fulfill all that God has for them regardless of age.
Prayer
Father God, cause me to consider a young person that I can contribute to their spiritual development and encourage them to carry out all of what God has put on their heart.
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Posted August 3rd, 2010 by Doug Armand
Scripture
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” – John 5:24
Observation
Jesus, in the context in which He makes this statement, spends a good portion of time deferring to His Father. He explains that all that He (Jesus) does is what His Father has initiated. Jesus’ entire life was spent in the pursuit of doing His Father’s will. Jesus gives two qualifications to receive eternal life – hear His words and believe in His Father.
Application
In the same way that Jesus spent His life on earth pointing people to the Father, so it is to be with us. When our lives become all about doing His will, pointing people to Him, fulfilling His purpose, we find our true purpose. This is eternal life – to trust Him, to follow Him, to obey Him. This is what we were made for.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for coming to earth and demonstrating what our life is to be about. Thank you for dying for us to reconcile us to the Father. Thank you for your example of deference and humility but also for the bold courage you demonstrated in purchasing our redemption. Let me be more like you today. Let my life and my words lead people to trust in You today. Thank you God! Amen.
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