- Tuesday, 4/9/19 1
Samuel 13:14, ...the Lord hath sought him
a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain...
If God disqualified someone and was looking for a replacement, would He look at
you or I? Are we hot after God’s heart? Do we need to “up our game”? (Ouch!)
Psalm 38:1, O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Modern day Christianity, oftentimes, has a warped view of God. The Old Testament is said to have stories, but the God of the OT is “not the same as in the New Testament: the OT God was stern and almost mean, while the NT God is loving and accepting.” NOOOOO!!! He’s the same God. Malachi 3:6, For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. His character doesn’t, hasn’t changed and never will. The God Who destroyed the entire world with a flood is my God. The One Who sent serpents to kill people for complaining in Numbers is my God. Think: you have a sweet side right? But you also would go berserk if someone tried to harm your children wouldn’t you? You have the potential in you for tender compassion and ruthless wrath, don’t you? If all anyone sees is the “mean” you, would they have the complete picture of you? Likewise, we need to have the full view of God: His complete character, nature takes 66 books to unveil. Don’t stop learning of Him. Adjust your thinking to fit His Bible; quit disregarding His Book to fit your preconceived notions. Read the judgments meted out in Revelation and tell me if THAT God “seems” very sweet and kind. The “Good Shepherd” is also the One who will say, “Depart from me into everlasting fire.” We’re to fear Him: YES, be afraid of Him, at times. He is very willing and able to get our TOTAL attention if we spurn His sweet advances.
- Wednesday, 4/10/19 Psalm 38:3, There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. Health problems could be because of a dying, decaying body; or they could be the result of sin; or they could be a sign of chastisement. Figure it out: you may be going to the wrong doctor. Psalm 111:3b, ...his righteousness endureth for ever. If we’ve trusted Christ, we’re clothed in His righteousness. It can endure our stupidities, our rebellion, our weakness, our doubts. So, dust yourself off: you’re still His child; He still loves you; He still is including you in His plan. Get up; get right; and get busy. Go encourage someone. Go strengthen yourself. Go be a blessing.
- Thursday, 4/11/19 Proverbs 6:23a, For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light. Are you in the dark, scary midnight of a storm or lost in the confusion? Don’t know which way to go? Obey, obey, obey. The law is light...turn it on; light the commandments. Psalm 116:5, Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. What a wonderful God we are privileged to know!! Take some time today, and just chat with Him: like a friend talks to a friend. And simply list and compliment and extol His wonderful-ness. Tell Him why you love Him; tell Him of the aspects of His character of which you’re aware and for which you’re grateful. The following verses here in Psalm 116 are good to read and use to prompt you...
- Friday, 4/12/19 Psalm 79:5, How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? ‘Tis far better to endure the troubles that’ll make us holy rather than to endure the troubles that come from chastisement or the calamities that come from the complications that sin brings. Psalm 112:1, Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. The sentence structure makes the two halves of the sentence equal. We’re commanded to fear the Lord (that includes elements of respect, reverence, and flat out fear), but it’s often hard to conceptualize. So, instead of talking about “how much you fear God,” look at your attitude toward His book. Honestly, can you “take it or leave it”? Or, like Job, do you esteem as more important than your “necessary food”? For over 30 years, I’ve lived by the promise, “No Bible? No breakfast.” I challenge you to vow to read at least a chapter each day before you put one bite of food into your mouth. Make it a public decision at church. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you. Try it. Promise God you’ll do it for 30 days.
- Saturday, 4/13/19 Matthew 24:6ab, And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled... Regardless of our outer circumstances (which we cannot control), we CAN control our reactions to them. Our anger, our worrying, our joy ARE under our control. Problems oftentimes come, and we can do something to solve them. Sometimes, they cannot be solved. If you can’t stop/solve the problem, do what you CAN do. Romans 12:12-13, Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Do what you CAN do. The cancer may be terminal...but you can still go soul winning. The reconciling of the marriage takes two...but YOU can still be faithful to church. The job has been filled by another...but you can still give to missions. The child has turned their back on you...but you can still teach your SS class.
- Sunday, 4/14/19 1 Samuel 18:8, And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? Envy and jealousy destroyed Saul; greatly complicated David’s life; and is what crucified the Lord. I’m guessing it would mess up yours and my lives. Watch it: this is a sneaky one... Problems often come to break us...but then we are filled with grace to handle them...and then, we are to leak grace wherever we go. 2 Corinthians 1:4, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Where are you in the “Trouble continuum? None now? They’re coming. Getting blasted? Hang on and keep breathing. Seek God. Starting to revive? Be a blessing to others. Starting to look back and dusting off? Learn whatever lessons you need, critique your response, and strengthen yourself for the next blast.
- Monday, 4/15/19 1 Samuel 22:2, And every one that was in distress...in debt...discontented, gathered themselves unto [David]; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about 400 men. He who ministers to broken hearts will never want for an audience. Do the “bad people” feel accepted by you? Or do people feel they have to “get better” before you’ll give out your medicine? Stay sweet in your struggles. They will pass. 1 Peter 1:6, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. How do joy and heaviness (depression) coexist? A person can be in overall good health, and yet have the flu for a week. One can deeply love their spouse, but have had arguments and even do the “silent treatment” for a few days. A dependable car still needs a tune-up. Lesson: Don’t go to pieces because you react a little poorly when life caves in around you. Romans 12:12, Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
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