Isaiah 33-36

July 31

Isaiah 33-36

"O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." (Isaiah 33:2, NIV)

It is only a few words, but they make up a prayer with great power. “Be gracious to us.” There is nothing more we need than God’s grace. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. It is receiving God’s approval, though we do not deserve it by our actions. God’s grace accepts us in spite of who we are and what we have done. Because of God’s grace, He accepts us just as we are. Through Jesus Christ, God’s grace transforms us from sinners into children of God. In Isaiah’s day, God’s grace would protect and restore Israel, though she had rebelled against God and His covenant with them.

When we realized our in adequacy to save ourselves and our need for God’s salvation, we long for Him. We realize our need for a Savior and we can cry out to Him and know He hears us and responds to our cries. When we begin to realize Who God really is and get a glimpse of His love for us and the grace He extends to us, we cannot help but long for Him. Each day is a new day, each day we need more of Jesus. Like salt drives us to drink more water, just a glimpse of Jesus, makes us want more.

He is our strength and our salvation every day. God just wants us to turn to Him. He wants to help us. He wants to lead us. He wants to give us all we will ever need. He wants to create us into the people He created us to be. But we have to be willing to allow Him to work in us and on us. He is our strength and will empower us to live each day to its fullest. He is our salvation and will lead us through the difficult times in life. He forgives us of our sins and saves us for His glory.  

Isaiah 30-32

July 30

Isaiah 30-32

Sometimes people just do not want to hear the truth. They believe that in some way by not knowing the truth it is not true. When we think rationally, we know this is not the way the world operates. Ignorance is not bliss. Children will cover their ears and make noise so they cannot hear what they do not want to hear, but that does not remove them from accountability for the message they received.

Israel was tired of hearing God’s words of discipline. They wanted the prophets to give them good news. They wanted to hear things that pleased them, that made them feel good. But God was trying to correct them to spare them destruction. They did not want to hear the truth. "They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”" (Isaiah 30:10-11, NIV)

Because they would not listen to God’s messengers or messages, He brought judgment upon Israel. The good news is that when God brings judgment, He also brings grace. "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18, NIV)

Many people do not want to hear the truth from God’s word. They want to live the way they want to live and see God as an oppressor. But God wants what is best for us. He wants us to live full and fulfilled lives free of the consequences of sin. He warns us and encourages us to turn from our sin and to turn toward Him. Watering down the word of God or covering our ears and not listening, does not change its truth. God is calling us into a loving relationship with Him. He is not trying to oppress us, but wants to set us free.

Isaiah 27-29

July 29

Isaiah 27-29

"The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13, NIV)

God is getting fed up with Israel’s focus on the rules. They say one thing and do another, but with their lips they praise God. Many people think of the Old Testament as following a list a rules, but that was not God’s intention. God, since creation, wants a relationship with His creation. He made us for relationships.

When sin became a reality, relationships were broken; the relationship with God and with other people. But God was not satisfied with this brokenness, and from the beginning God had a plan. He would lay a precious cornerstone, Jesus is that cornerstone. He is the foundation on which true faith is built. Not a faith built on rules, but a foundation built on a relationship. God had a plan to restore and re-create through this new relationship.

When the rules are put aside and the relationship becomes the focus, the rules are obeyed not because we have to obey, but because we want to walk in obedience with our God whom we love. Then we come near to God and honor Him with our lips because He has filled our hearts with love for Him and love for other people. Worship becomes worship. 

Isaiah 24-26

July 28

Isaiah 24-26

Our lives and all we do are in the hands of Almighty God. We can rebel. We can go our own way, but in the end we will all face God’s judgment. Jesus came to give us the gift of eternal life. We all deserve death and hell, but Jesus came to give us life and heaven. God is our refuge, He is our place of safety in a world of evil. He invites us to come to Him and to find peace.

The greatest enemy we all face is the reality of death. But when Jesus came out of that grave, He conquered sin and death. Isaiah prophesied; "he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 25:8, NIV) The first part of this prophesy was fulfilled at Jesus’ resurrection the second part will be fulfilled when He comes again.

John wrote of his vision in Revelation; "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”" (Revelation 21:3-4, NIV)

There are consequences for sin. Individuals face consequences for their sin, but all of creation is affected by and will face the consequences of sin. Isaiah speaks of God’s coming judgment. Some of that judgment has already been administered, some is yet to come. But there is also grace. Those who turn to God for their refuge, who turn to God for their help and hope, those who trust in jesus as their Lord and Savior, will be saved and will join at a great banquet at the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of eternity with God.

"On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines." (Isaiah 25:6, NIV)  You have received the invitation, will you be attending? RSVP by receiving Jesus as Lord and walking in obedience to Him. 

Isaiah 20-23

July 27

Isaiah 20-23

Trouble was near. God was bringing His discipline against Jerusalem because they had turned from God and put their trust in other nations. They did not trust God, serve Him, or obey Him. Even when their backs were against the wall, they trusted in their own abilities. Their leaders had fled and been captured by the enemy. They stored up water to provide their needs during a blockade. They strengthened their walls and built a reservoir between the walls, but they neglected their best defense. "You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth." (Isaiah 22:11-12, NIV)

God called the Israelites to repentance, but they continued to try to take care of things themselves. When they realized they had no hope, they threw a party and waited for the enemy to overtake them. No matter what the consequences, they refused to repent, to turn from their sin and to turn to God for help.

They were not much different than many people today. We do not like to admit our faults. We do not like to admit that we need help. Many people will not turn to God, even if it means death and destruction. God loves us, He provides a way out of our sentence of eternity in hell. We cannot save ourselves, so God came in the flesh to save us. But we have to be willing to turn from our sin and to turn to Him and seek His help.

When we look to Jesus as our Savior, we find life in the face of death. We find hope in the face of hopelessness. We find the way out of our slavery to sin. But we have to be willing to turn from ourselves and turn to Him.

Isaiah 15-19

July 26

Isaiah 15-19

"The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them." (Isaiah 19:22, NIV)

God has a plan. His plan does not exclude anyone. He sent His Son for all sin. Jesus did not come to die just for the righteous, for those who would turn to Him. His death was payment for all sin. God desires to reach all people with His love. He offers salvation to all who will turn from their sin and turn toward Him.

Egypt was an ancient enemy of Israel. God delivered Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In these verses, God says that He will send a Savior to save Egypt when they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors. God sent that Savior when Jesus came as the Savior and Defender for all the nations, for all who will acknowledge the Lord and will follow Him.

God says He will bring that healing to Egypt when He strikes her with a plague. “He will strike them and heal them.” Most people do not think of being struck as being a means of healing. But often through discipline, we get our eyes focused where they should be focused. God often strikes us with consequences for our actions in order to get our attention and to get us to turn to Him and seek His healing touch.

Isaiah 11-14

July 25

Isaiah 11-14

Isaiah tells of God’s judgment and destruction of Israel by the Assyrians. Outward appearances are that there is no hope left for God’s chosen people, but God has a bigger plan. God promises that after He punishes Israel, He will later deliver them from the same people He used to bring judgment upon them. From the stump of Jesse, a shoot will come up.

If you have ever looked over a section of timber that has just been cut, it looks barren. If you did not know better, you would think life in that section of land was over. But it does not take long before you can go back to that piece of land and see life springing from the cutover timber. God cut Israel down because she turned her back on God. She refused to repent. She refused to walk in obedience to God’s commands. She ran after the idols of other nations. God cut her down to size.

But God did not leave her without a promise. Out of the stump came a “messianic” ruler. A ruler anointed by God, filled with the Holy Spirit, who would judge with wisdom, power, and righteousness. This role was ultimately filled by Jesus and will be fulfilled completely when He returns to restore the Kingdom of God on earth. No matter what we may face in our lives, when we know God, when we have a relationship with Jesus, we can maintain hope because of the promises of God. He is in control and will ultimately bring peace and safety to all His people. 

Isaiah 8-10

July 24

Isaiah 8-10

Many people want to know what is going to happen in the future. Newspapers include horoscopes so people can see how the stars line up for them each day. Palm readers put signs in front of their houses enticing people to come and find out what lies ahead in their lives. Isaiah wrote: "When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" (Isaiah 8:19, NIV)

Many of the palm readers or mediums and spiritists are scammers. They give general information so people feel like the person knows them and can tell their future. Those who are not scammers consult demonic forces. They pull people away from God. God gave instructions to the Israelites; "“‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:31, NIV)  "“‘I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." (Leviticus 20:6, NIV)

Why do people turn to demons and scammers when God invites us to come boldly before His throne of grace? God wants to talk to us. He wants to lead us. He wants to give us what we need. He will guide us step by step in our lives. He may not tell us what is going to happen a year from now, or two, or ten, but He will give us what we need for the next step and the one after that. Our trust in God is trusting that He will take care of our tomorrows. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34, NIV)

God will let us know what we need to know when we need to know it. We do not need to worry about what tomorrow holds because we know who holds tomorrow. When you have a concern, go to God, He will invite you to come and stay as long as you would like. 

Isaiah 4-7

July 23

Isaiah 4-7

When farmers invest in the best land, fertilizer, and plant stock, they expect to get a good crop. A good environment, the right amount of sun and water, good soil should produce a good crop. God compares Israel to a vineyard. God prepared the soil; He cleared out the rocks and planted good vines. When the time came for the harvest the grapes were bad. God had brought Israel into the land He had chosen for them. He had prepared them and the land. He drove out the nations who were occupying the land. He expected Israel to live for Him and to produce good fruit. Instead they rebelled against Him and worshiped false gods. God decided He would destroy the vineyard; He would bring judgment on Israel.

God needed someone to proclaim His judgment so the people would know God was the source of the calamity that was coming upon the nation. Isaiah the prophet was in the temple when he had a close encounter with God. The seraph took a coal from the altar where the sacrifices were burnt and touched his lips to cleanse him. Then Isaiah heard the voice of God; “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”" (Isaiah 6:8, NIV) Isaiah volunteered to go and do whatever God wanted him to do without even asking what God wanted done.

God gave Isaiah the task of warning the people of Israel of God’s impending judgment. But God told Isaiah the people would not respond to him. They would not hear. They would not repent. They would not respond.

How do we measure success? Was Isaiah successful in his task? Our obedience to God does not guarantee we will accomplish our goals, but it does guarantee we will accomplish God’s goals. God desires obedience; the results are up to Him. True faith leads to obedience no matter the task God gives us. Will you pray today; “Here am I. Send me!” then watch what God does in your life?

Isaiah 1-3

July 22

Isaiah 1-3

The default setting of people is to turn away from God and to do our own thing. But God wants so much more for us. He loves us and pursues us with His love, but He also punishes us for our actions. Isaiah speaks of a day of great judgment instituted by God. He instructs the readers in Isaiah 2:10 "Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!" Three times in this chapter Isaiah speaks of this dread of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty.

Many people think of God’s love, but they forget about “dread of the Lord.” God does not wink at sin and say; “that’s ok.” The worship of idols, whether it is a little statue, wealth, power, status, a home, or whatever else we may put ahead of God is not a minor issues. Most people in North America do not worship idols of silver or gold that they made to worship, but they worship a lot of things ahead of God. But when Jesus comes back, it will be a day of dread for many. It will be a Day of Judgment and punishment. When we see the splendor of His majesty, we will not be able to stay on our feet.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, NIV) The return of Jesus and the Day of Judgment are not to be taken lightly. We should examine our lives and purge the impurities that have entered our lives. We are created and called to worship and serve God alone. There are many forces pulling us in various directions, but there is only one true God and He is a jealous God desiring all of our worship.

Song of Songs 5-8

July 21

Song of Songs 5-8

What does true love look like? John wrote; "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16, NIV) In the Song of Songs a lover pursues his beloved, they marry and consummate the marriage and commit to a life of devotion to one another. They laid down their lives for one another as their relationship moved from romantic love to a commitment in marriage until death overtook one or both of them.

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame." (Song of Solomon 8:6, NIV) This is the love between a man and a woman committed in marriage, but it is also a picture of God’s intense love for His people. He desires for us to place Him like a seal over our hearts where we will serve Him all our lives. He is a jealous God and will bring discipline to those who reject Him or run after idols, but He is also a loving God desiring what is best for us.

Sin turns our hearts against God, the one who loves us and pursues us, but He pursues us with prevenient grace. He extends His love to us while we are still His enemy. He wants to give us a heart transplant, if we will only allow Him to work in our lives. Jeremiah wrote;  "I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." (Jeremiah 24:7, NIV)

God is the lover who pursues us for a lifelong relationship with Him. He desires for us to place Him as a seal over our hearts, guarding our thoughts and actions to live the lives He created us to live. Those who are married should be dedicated to that relationship, but God wants us to be dedicated to Him over all other relationships. If we commit to Him, He will guard our hearts and protect us from disaster. God is the lover of our souls. 

Song of Songs 1-4

July 20

Song of Songs 1-4

Three times in this book describing the love of a man for a woman and a woman for a man, Solomon writes; "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." (Song of Solomon 2:7b 3:5b, 8:4, NIV) God has a plan even for our love lives. Romantic love is a powerful emotion. It can occupy our every thought. It affects our studies, our work, our other relationships. Love is overpowering. God created it that way. He created us to be attracted to the opposite sex. To have a desire to spend our lives raising a family and spending time with a person. That desire begins with romantic love, though romantic love will not maintain that relationship.

Three times in this writing, the woman receiving the love warns the girls of Jerusalem not to awaken love before it is time. We live in such a sex saturated society that children seek to awaken love before it should be awakened. Adults seeking a relationship do the same. Like the song said; “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Remember God has a plan for our lives. He wants us to find someone to love and to love us, but a lifelong relationship is not something to rush into. A good wife or a good husband is a great asset in our lives, but a bad one can be like dragging an anchor through life.

Building a godly relationship requires time. It requires getting to know the other person. We have a lifetime ahead of us. We do not have to rush the process. Love will awaken soon enough, we do not have to force it or arouse it before it is time. Trust God and watch where He is leading in your relationships and He will bless your life relationships. 

Ecclesiastes 9-12

July 19

Ecclesiastes 9-12

Ecclesiastes can be a depressing book. Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the world shares his observations as he nears the end of his life. He has tried everything he could imagine and came up empty. Everything was meaningless. Everyone lives then dies. Everyone faces the same fate in the end. We leave all we work for to the next generation and we die.

After his observations, Solomon wrote; "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV) Solomon observed that no matter the lot of people, we all have the same basic purpose; “to fear God and keep His commandments.” Fulfilling this purpose leads to variety and adventure in life. But it also leads to contentment.

We cannot find true contentment in life, especially as death approaches unless we fulfill the purpose God has laid out for us. God created us and called us to walk in obedience to Him. He has given us His commandments not to enslave us but to set us free to live the lives He created us to live. God wants more for us than we could ever begin to imagine, but He will not pour out his blessings on us if we are not walking in obedience to Him. 

Ecclesiastes 5-8

July 18

Ecclesiastes 5-8

It is better to listen than to speak. We have two ears and one mouth, therefore we should spend twice as much time listening as speaking. These words of advice apply in our relationship with God just as they apply to our relationship with people. We tend to spend our prayer time rambling on to God about our wants and desires, but spend little time listening to His response. Prayer is a time of communicating with God, not a time to just talk “at” God. "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." (Ecclesiastes 5:2, NIV)

God wants to hear from us. He invites us to come before Him with our prayers, but He also tells us to be still and wait for Him. "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7, NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10, NIV) We get in a hurry. We want answers now. But God is not on our time, but He is always on time. Sometimes we have to slow down so we can hear what God is trying to tell us.

Elijah went up on the mountain in 1 Kings 19 to hear from God. God did not come to Elijah in the wind, earthquake or fire, but he came in a “gentle whisper.” He would not have heard it if he had been rambling about how unfair the turn of events were to Elijah after he had given his life to serving God. He would not have heard it if he had not gone out to meet with God and waited for God to show up. Sometimes we just have to be quiet and wait. When His timing is right, He will speak to us, often in a gentle whisper that we will only hear if we are listening quietly.

Ecclesiastes 1-4

July 17

Ecclesiastes 1-4

How do we find meaning in our lives? As people age, they tend to look back over the years that have gone by and do an inventory of their lives. What achievements have they made? What difference have they made through the life they have lived? Solomon looked over his life. He was the richest man to have lived and also the wisest. But as he looked back over his many successes. He had denied himself nothing. He had the finest horses, the best chariots, seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. He had ships that sailed the known world bringing back everything imaginable including apes and baboons. Solomon had it all.

When we read Ecclesiastes, we get a glimpse of Solomon’s heart later in life. He is talking an inventory of his life. "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, NIV)

All the riches, all the stuff, none of it matters when you look back over your life. When you near the end the material goods are not what make a difference. All the goods stay when you die. What you work so hard to accumulate goes into someone else’s treasury after you die. They either take it as their own, or sell it at a yard sale, or throw it in the dump.

Why do we accumulate so much stuff? We are trying to fill a desire. Each time we get something else, each time we accomplish a goal we get a rush for a little while, but it is not enough to bring true satisfaction. We each have a God shaped hole in our hearts and the only way to fill that hole is to have a loving, living relationship with Jesus. 

Proverbs 30-31

July 16

Proverbs 30-31

"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9, NIV)

The story is John d Rockefeller was the richest man in the country when he was asked; “how much is enough?” Rockefeller responded; “just a little bit more.” No matter how much we have when it comes to riches, we always feel like we do not have quite enough. We feel like we need just a little bit more.

When we focus our life on getting that “little bit more;” we take our eyes off what really matters; our relationship with Jesus. When we are comfortable, it is easy to forget about God and our dependence on Him. We believe we can do all things for ourselves and do not need God. When the Israelites were comfortable, is when they turned from God, did their own thing and ended up in trouble.

On the other hand, when we have too little, we are tempted to take what is not ours to meet our basic needs. Most people would not blame someone for stealing a loaf of bread to keep from starving, but stealing is stealing. It is wrong and the one who steals has taken their eyes off of God their provider.

The writer of this proverb asks God to give them what they need. Not too much, not too little, but just what they need to survive each day. Give us this day our daily bread and help us be satisfied with what we have. No more, no less. 

Proverbs 27-29

July 15

Proverbs 27-29

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17, NIV) 

We need each other. No person is an island. For iron to sharpen iron there has to be friction. We are not good at holding one another accountable. Often we do not want others holding us accountable. It is difficult to be open and honest. To be vulnerable is difficult. We know that once we reveal who we really are, people can hurt us. We give them the weapons that could destroy us emotionally. But we also open up the way for us to become fully the people God created us to become. We need to surround ourselves with people who will lift us up when we are down, will bring us down when we get too high on ourselves and will hold us accountable for our words and actions.

We cannot open ourselves to everyone in this manner, but we need a circle of friends we can trust; people who have our best interest in mind. We need people who will sharpen us spiritually. We need people who can ask us about our devotions, our bible reading, our actions, and our witness to others. When we know we are going to be asked tough questions each week, we check our actions before we move.

We may have to lick our wounds when people speak to us honestly but as the writer of proverbs shares; "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (Proverbs 27:6, NIV) Just because someone tells us what we want to hear, does not mean they are our friend and just because someone does not tell us what we want to hear, does not mean they are our enemy. We need friends who can tell us the truth about what they see in our lives. Such friends are more valuable than silver or gold.

Proverbs 24-26

July 14

Proverbs 24-26

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." (Proverbs 25:21-22, NIV)

These are difficult words to understand, let alone live out in our daily lives. But Jesus said; “love your enemies.” We do not love because someone deserves our love. Love is a choice. Love is action not a feeling. When someone comes against us and we respond with anger or resistance, we perpetuate the hate. If we respond with love, our enemy may become our ally.

Paul quoted this proverb in his letter to the Romans; "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21, NIV) Many of us respond to evil by seeking revenge. God wants us to trust Him. Allow Him to bring judgment. He will judge rightly. Often we do not have all the facts. We respond in the moment and we are overcome with evil. But if we stop before we react and counter intuitively respond with love, we can turn the tide.

God can change hearts when we reflect His love to those who do not deserve it. After all Jesus loved us though we have turned away from him and rejected Him. He died on the cross and instead of seeking revenge, He cried out “Father forgive them.” What better way to imitate Jesus than to love our enemies. 

Proverbs 21-23

July 13

Proverbs 21-23

The writer of proverbs give several words of wisdom that remind the reader of what is really important in our lives. We get easily distracted. We focus on the material parts of life that we cannot hold onto instead of grabbing the things that really matter. Paul wrote;  "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)  The material world, what we can see is all temporary. It is the unseen that is eternal. So we live by faith. But faith is not just thoughts of the future, faith involves action. Our actions reveal what we really believe. Our actions reveal our faith.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1, NIV)  People can attempt to discredit us, they can attempt to ruin our name, but if we continue to walk in obedience to God. If we continue to love God and love people, when they speak against us, it will only make them look foolish. "He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor." (Proverbs 21:21, NIV)  

If we walk in obedience to God, He will protect us, He will reveal our true character to those around us. We can plan and scheme, but God ultimately will guide our steps. He can bring blessing or curses. He will either work with us or against us depending on whether we are pursuing His plans or our own desires. "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." (Proverbs 21:30, NIV)

God wants more for us than we can even begin to imagine. He strengthens and empowers us when we walk with Him and follow His paths. He will bring discipline against those who resist His leading.  

Proverbs 18-20

July 12

Proverbs 18-20

"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts." (Proverbs 18:8, NIV)

We try to play it off as sharing our concerns about another person, but gossip continues to live in and out of the church. There are television shows and newspapers whose primary objective is to spread the gossip about television and movie stars. In church, we are more discrete, we couch the gossip in prayer concerns. Webster’s defines a gossip as; “a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others.”

Our curiosity makes us want more when we hear about another person. We are not content with our own lives, we want to know about the lives of others. Perhaps we are trying to experience their lives through the stories. Gossip is like a choice morsel, but it brings out evil.

The apostle Paul put gossip with a list of pretty strong sins in his letter to the church in Rome.

"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless." (Romans 1:29-31, NIV)

Paul realized gossip was a destroyer of the Church. Gossip is like a wildfire. It may begin with a spark, just a few words, but it spreads and destroys much territory. Once we hear gossip, it is hard to kill it. We want to share what we heard with someone else. But the best policy is to keep our mouths shut so the gossip can die.

"A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul." (Proverbs 18:7, NIV) 

Proverbs 15-17

July 11

Proverbs 15-17

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

This proverb is not saying we can do whatever we want, then commit it to the Lord and He will make sure we succeed. But if we commit to the Lord, if we seek wise counsel, pray, and follow where the Lord leads us, He will also give us success. Henry Blackaby, in his book “Experiencing God,” advised Christians to look where God was moving and to join Him. Instead of asking God to bless what I am doing, a better prayer is; “God use me in what You want to do.”

My idea of success may not be the same as God’s idea of success. Our ministry may look like a total failure from our perspective, but if we are walking in obedience to God, and are committed to God in all we do, He will bring success. He will fulfill His purpose in our lives, not our purpose.

We may have our plans, but God’s plans will bring us true contentment. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, NIV)

Proverbs 12-14

July 10

Proverbs 12-14

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." (Proverbs 13:20, NIV)  There is a lot of truth to the old proverb that “birds of a feather flock together.” We tend to act like the people with whom we spend time. If we always surround ourselves with people who make foolish decisions, we will probably also make foolish decisions. If we spend time with people who are strong in their faith, it will strengthen our faith.

Paul wrote; "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”" (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV) There is nothing wrong with going into the world to share Christ, but we need to also spend time with people who will challenge us to live godly lives. Peer pressure affects all of  us no matter how old or young. We often hear of negative peer pressure; the “bad company” that pulls us away from God. But there is also positive peer pressure. People who hold us accountable for our words and actions, people who lift us up when we are down, and pull us down when we begin to think to highly of ourselves.

Look around; who are the people you are spending your time with? Whether you believe it or not, these are the people you are becoming more like. Wise or foolish, you decide. 

Proverbs 8-11

July 9

Proverbs 8-11

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment." (Proverbs 10:19-21, NIV)

The tongue is a powerful tool for good and for evil. With the words spoken by men and women, hearts have been changed, lives transformed as God took those words and opened the eyes of lost and broken people and brought them hope through a relationship with Jesus. But with the tongue of other men and women, great evil has come to power and wickedness spread through the world. With the tongue people are lifted up and encouraged, but with the tongue others are torn down and humiliated.

The tongue has great power to change the world in which we live for good or evil. Often words are spoken that as they come out of the mouth the person speaking regrets. We cannot put those words back in our mouth. Once they are spoken, they continue to affect those who hear. When we do not know what to say, we mistakenly talk until we figure out what to say. How much better to be quiet, than to speak the words of a fool. Sometimes we say more in what we don’t say than in what we say.

James wrote; "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" (James 3:7-11, NIV)

Some people break horses, some train dogs, but great is the person who can learn to control their tongue so that it is used to bring life instead of destruction.

Proverbs 4-7

July 8

Proverbs 4-7

Wisdom and understanding are the key to a prosperous life. The writer of Proverbs reminds the reader that wisdom protects from foolish acts. Wisdom protects from following after pipedreams. Wisdom protects from temptations that lead us astray. James writes; "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5, NIV)

But God’s wisdom is not the same as the world’s wisdom. Paul wrote; "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;" (1 Corinthians 3:19, NIV)  True wisdom comes from God. It may not make you rich or help you get to the top of the corporate ladder. God’s wisdom may not set well with the faculty at the university, but God’s wisdom will lead us to full and fulfilled lives.

God’s plans do not look like the world’s plans. " For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV) The shiny things of the world pull people away from pursuing godly wisdom, but for those who persevere, for those who realize that God’s wisdom is supreme, those who grasp the instructions of Proverb 4, will find ultimate fulfillment in eternal life.

"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7, NIV) 

Proverbs 1-3

July 7

Proverbs 1-3

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)

The book of proverbs is filled with short quips that give words of instruction and wisdom for life as a follower of God in a world filled with evil and the temptation to get off the road of righteousness. No matter how much knowledge we gain in math or science, or other disciplines, true knowledge begins with our relationship with the Lord. The world will tell us that we can do it all on our own, that God has no impact on our daily lives, the writer of Proverbs disagrees.

We not only need wisdom, we need discipline. "My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." (Proverbs 3:11-12, NIV) Discipline is not pleasant, but it is useful in shaping us into the people God created us to be.

Godly wisdom puts God and His instruction and desires above our  own desires. We are to honor Him with all aspects of our lives, with our wealth, with our words, with our time, and with our efforts. "The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame." (Proverbs 3:35, NIV)

Psalm 145-150

July 6

Psalm 145-150

The normal attitude of those who know and love God is to praise Him. When we begin to understand that He our Creator, our God, our Savior, our Protector, our Healer, our Helper, that He holds all of creation in His hands, we cannot help but praise Him. When we begin to understand God’s goodness we cannot help but tell what He has done for us through the years.

God provides for the poor, He is the Father to the fatherless, He is compassionate toward his creation, He upholds those who fall and lifts those who are bowed down. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Our proper response to God’s goodness and grace is to praise Him.

We cannot praise God enough, but we probably don’t even begin to give Him the praise we should and could give. When we see the sunrise, we should praise Him. When we see the sunset, we should praise Him. When we sit down to eat a meal, we should praise Him. When we lay down at the end of the day we should praise Him.

Whatever we face, whatever each day may bring through the trials and through the triumphs, we should praise God. When we praise Him, it not only shows our appreciation for God’s goodness, it also lifts our spirits and empowers us to see the goodness in the midst of the trials.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." (Psalm 150:6, NIV)

Psalm 137-144

July 5

Psalm 137-144

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knew us from the moment we were conceived. He know our hearts and minds. He knows what we are going to say before we say it. We cannot hide from Him. He knows where we have gone and where we are going. In spite of all this, He loves us. He answers our prayers, He never leaves us. No matter where we go, no matter what we face, God is with us.

If we pray as the psalmist prayed; "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV) God will search our hearts, He will reveal to us our anxious thoughts and our thoughts that are not pleasing to Him. He will reveal our offensive ways and will help us to change to be the people God created us to be.

But the only way He will change us is if we allow him to break us. Like a potter working on a piece of pottery on a wheel, He has to break us to reshape us. It may be painful a times, but God is gracious and will extend grace as we travel through the refiners fire to be made new. As He walks with us and shapes us and breaks us, he will lead us on the road to everlasting life, if we will follow Him.

Psalm 128-136

July 4

Psalm 128-136

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared." (Psalm 130:3-4, NIV)

If God kept a record of our sins, we would all be doomed for hell. But when we confess our sin and turn from them, He purifies us, He wipes them out. He moves them as far as the east is from the west and the two never meet. He is not like our friends and family members who forgive, but in their humanness do not forget.

We may not be able to forgive ourselves, but God forgives us completely. When we come to God and bring up something for which we have already been forgiven, He says; “what sin are you talking about.” It is gone. We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget. The only sin God will not forgive is the sin we will not confess.

Corrie ten Boom put it well when she said, "God has taken our sin. He has thrown it into the sea of forgetfulness, and He has posted a sign that says, 'No fishing allowed.' " There is true forgiveness in God. We may not be able to forgive ourselves, but God forgives and if we can conceive how much He has forgiven us, we are empowered to forgive others.

God’s goal is not to condemn us, it is not to strike us dead, God’s desire is for us to turn to Him, to seek and receive forgiveness and live eternally with Him. God said through the prophet Ezekiel; "Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’" (Ezekiel 33:11, NIV)

Psalm 120-127

July 3

Psalm 120-127

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:1-2, NIV)

We struggle and strive to move up the corporate ladder. We make plans for our future. We work long hours so we can buy more, build bigger, travel more. But no matter what we plan, no matter what we build, no matter how hard we work, unless we are following God’s will, we labor in vain. All the houses, no matter how many or how big, all the toys no matter how expensive, do not matter unless we are first and foremost walking in obedience to our Lord.

If God calls us to do something different than we planned. If He calls us to move, or change jobs, or live on less, and we do not respond to Him with obedience, we will never find true happiness. We will always wonder what He would have done if we had only obeyed. If God has to bring us down to bring us to obedience, He will. Our souls are more important to Him than our material goods. If they become our focus, He will remove them so that we will reach up to Him instead of out for more stuff.

God loves us and when we walk in obedience to Him, we receive a peace that transcends all understanding and we will sleep well knowing we are in the presence of our God who loves us.

Psalm 119

July 2

Psalm 119

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws." (Psalm 119:105-106, NIV)

The Psalmist realizes the power and importance in knowing and obeying God’s law. He speaks of God’s words, His precepts, His decrees, His laws, His commands, and His promises. He does not speak of them as burdens to carry, but as a means of a life of joy. He is overwhelmed by the lawlessness, the sin of the world around him and cries out for God’s protection in a lost and broken world. God’s word will guide our steps in the midst of the darkness. His word will protect us from the evil we live around. But we have to make a decision. We have to decide that we want to follow God’s direction.

When we decide and confirm that we want to be children of God. When we confess our sin, our rebellion, and turn to God to follow Him, when we ask Him to change our hearts and minds and to fill us with His Spirit, He empowers us to live in obedience to His words. He is faithful to cleanse us of our sin and to fill us with His Spirit. The Spirit teaches, corrects, encourages, and guides our steps if we will listen to Him.

God does not give us laws just to watch us suffer, to take all the fun out of life. He gives us laws to guide us in lives of righteousness. He gives us law to keep us safe and to empower us to live full and fulfilled lives. We do not follow the law to follow the law. We have a great gift. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we receive the Holy Spirit we walk in a relationship with God and He empowers us to live in obedience not because of the Law, but because of His love for us and our love for Him. It all comes down to having a vital living relationship with God.

Psalm 111-118

July 1

Psalm 111-118

"Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them." (Psalm 111:2, NIV)

Those who have eyes to see can see the fingerprints of God all around. Those who do not have their eyes opened are blind to the works of God. Do you ever take time to ponder the great works of God? Looking out over creation; the mountains, the plains, the ocean, all different, all special, all created by God, we can delight in His creation. Have you ever pondered the diversity in the animal kingdom? From the elephant to the ant; each created uniquely to fulfill a niche in God’s creation. Each created to withstand its individual environment and nutritional needs; great are the works of the Lord.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise." (Psalm 111:10, NIV)

The same God who created all things, the visible and the invisible has given us precepts to follow. The same God who created us wants a relationship with us. He is above all we can imagine and invites us to come to Him and to present are cares and concerns to Him, but we come in holy fear. Not afraid of God but in awe inspired respect and humbleness. He deserves our eternal praise. Our fear of Him, our respect for Him, our understanding of Him is the beginning of wisdom. Through our fear of Him, He opens our eyes to see Him in all His majesty. From our understanding of Him come true wisdom.

"Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!”" (Psalm 116:4, NIV)

"For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalm 116:8-9, NIV)

When our eyes are opened and we see God for who He is, we also realize our true nature and we humbly cry out in desperation; “O Lord Save Me!” God hears from heaven and responds to our cry. He opens our eyes, He delivers us from eternal death and heal and empowers us to walk before Him while we live on this earth and for eternity with Him in heaven.