Monthly Archives: September 2013

September 10

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Zechariah 7:1-8:23; Ezra 5:1-6:18

Here’s a question.

God asked the Jews, “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?”

Ouch.

That verse has prompted me to question myself. Church attendance, praying, reading Scripture, this blog, volunteering, tithing. What are my motives behind everything I do in Jesus’ name?

Am I looking for recognition? Do I like how I feel when I’ve been to church? 

I had a friend who had the flu on a Sunday morning and wasn’t able to participate in the Communion service. I spoke to her on that Monday and she said she hated missing Communion because then it seemed bad luck followed her all week. Really? Do we take Communion for good luck?

If I go to a worship service looking for some “feeling” of worship – my focus is on me not God. If I sing in the choir or teach Sunday School hoping to get an “attaboy” I’m in it for me.

Why am I really serving the Lord? Is it because I want him to bless me? Or have I honestly caught his zeal for lost souls?

I need to take inventory today and I’m pretty sure I have some things to confess to my Savior. I want to be able to look him in the eye and know my life was all about him. Period.

Heavenly Father, you created us with egos. You created us with feelings. And we all want to be accepted. So, God, I pray that you will help your children to set aside those things that we think we need and turn our focus on you. What is it you want us to do today? May we do it because we love you, because we want to give back to you, because we want to see souls won for eternity. And may we do it regardless of the personal outcome. Thank you for reminding us that this life is all about you. Forgive us when we try to make it about us.

September 9

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Zechariah 1:1-6:15

“Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he as roused himself from his holy dwelling”. (2:10-12)

How thrilling was that? God revealed to the people that he himself was coming to live with them right here on planet earth. He would walk on the roads in Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. It won’t be exclusively a Jewish thing, he says. Many nations will become his people. And the world will know the Lord Almighty is in it!

This is a beautiful picture of Jesus, isn’t it?

In chapter 3 God draws another picture, this one of his redemptive work. He clothed Joshua with a clean garment and forgave Joshua’s sins. Sound familiar?

It is the Branch we know as Jesus who promises to build the temple and be clothed with majesty. Jesus, ruling on his throne, doing the work of a priest from that throne.

What a privilege it is to know this One who is our king and our high priest, sitting with the Father and working on our behalf. What an awesome truth that we need not be born of Jewish parents to be included in the family of God through the blood of Jesus. We are the apple of his eye, loved, forgiven, protected, cherished. 

It must have been thrilling for the Old Testament Jews to hear about Jesus’ coming. It’s even more thrilling to live it after the cross!

I pray you know him, that you are included with us who are his people. I pray that you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, realizing your sin and asking him to forgive you. I pray that you worship the King of Kings and allow him to clothe you with his righteousness. That’s why he came. That’s why you were born in the first place.

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to our world, for walking where we walk and experiencing life like we do. Thank you for understanding our temptations and our sorrows. And thank you for dying so we can live. I pray for everyone reading this blog today. May we bow before you as King, allow you to intercede for us and be our sacrifice. And may we serve you out of grateful hearts, loving you because you first loved us.

September 8

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Psalms 97, 98, 99, 100; Ezra 4:1-5:24; Haggai 1:1-2:23

The work on the temple came to a grinding halt. The Jews, who had been so excited about rebuilding God’s House, started listening to the voices of people who were against the construction. And they must have started to question whether or not they were doing the right thing.

Satan is clever. His attacks on God’s people often come in subtle doubts, in petty jealousies, even in godly sounding points of view. They come from people pretending to want what is best for God’s people. They may even come through some wearing the name “Christian” or theologian, or Reverend. 

Satan’s attacks can look like concerned, friendly faces. But if the result of listening to them stops us from doing God’s work, we need to recognize the author as none other than our enemy, Satan.

Let’s stay close to God, reading his Word every day, praying and listening so that we can distinguish His voice from all others. Let’s ask God for discernment among our church leaders and for those of us who sit in the pews every Sunday. 

God has a job for us to do. He wants us building his Church through the winning of lost souls. Let’s not get side-tracked by listening to Satan’s lies.

Father, as your people gather today for worship, I pray that your voice will be heard and that all other voices will be drowned out. Give us discerning spirits so that we can recognize your Truth. And may we never accept anything else. Equip us today to do the work you have for us to do in our homes, our neighborhoods, our work places. And may souls be changed for eternity because we are faithful.

September 7

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Daniel 11:36-12:13; Psalms 93, 94, 95, 96

Daniel continues to share his vision about the future. And a verse I read today really frightens me.

The man clothed in linen tells Daniel in the end, some people will wake up in heaven, others in hell. Daniel asks when this is going to happen and in Daniel 12:7 the man says something that took my breath away:

“When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these thing will be completed”.

Now I totally trust God with the future and I don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out who I think the antichrist will be or if the rapture will occur before or after some great time of tribulation. But what that man told Daniel really scares me.

What is “the power of the holy people”? I believe the power we have is in the winning of lost souls, of allowing the Holy Spirit to use us to lead people to Christ. It’s in our willingness to live lives set apart so that the world can recognize Jesus in us and want him in their lives, too.

The possibility of this power being finally broken scares me. Can it really happen that one day our choices in this life will once and for all prevent the Holy Spirit from changing lives? Is it possible that our children’s children may have hearts so hard they won’t respond to God’s voice? Are we raising a generation that won’t recognize sin because we are teaching them “tolerance”?

Don’t think that can’t happen. Scripture says it will.

I know in my heart Jesus won’t come back until the last person who would be saved comes to him for forgiveness. But Daniel’s vision tells me that there will be be that last person, then the power of the holy people will be broken.

Someone said we are one generation away from godlessness. Parents, are you teaching your children to recognize sin? Are you teaching them there are consequences for disobedience? Are you showing them what a godly lifestyle looks like and that it’s better than anything the world can offer?

There are influences in our world that would take our focus away from our need of God. And those influences are targeted on our children. Will they be the generation that shuts out the Holy Spirit? They will be if we don’t step it up.

Are you talking about your Savior to your neighbors and friends? Is Jesus reflected in your daily choices? Do they see in you what they lack? They won’t if you don’t do something about it.

If we go through this life trying to fit in, to look like the world, to not offend someone by pointing out their need of a Savior, then we are taking part in binding the Holy Spirit. Every time we ignore him we add another link to the chain that will eventually render him unable to save.

Then the end will come.

And we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves because he is not willing that any should perish. Can we say the same?

Dear God, forgive your people for our lack of zeal. Forgive us for sitting back and expecting someone else to share you with that person you’ve laid on our hearts. Forgive us for expecting a Sunday School teacher to show our children their need of you. And forgive us when we ignore your prompting. God, I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit on willing hearts. May your Spirit have your way in our homes, in our churches, in our towns, in our world. May you find your children faithful and may lost souls find you through us. Hold off on returning, Lord. Because if you do come back today, that just means we haven’t done our job. I pray that you will find us willing to listen and eager to obey for Jesus’ sake.

September 6

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Ezra 3:1-13; Psalms 92,126; Daniel 10:1-11:35

I loved reading that the Israelites who went to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple “assembled as one man”. They had come from many different towns but they all were focused on the same goal. The first thing they did was to rebuild the altar so the priests could get down to business.

Church fellowships can be tricky. Imperfect people volunteer their time and resources for the day-to-day ministry of a body of believers. I’ve sat on church boards and know how much time can be spent debating the tiniest detail.

What color should we paint the bathroom? Should we hire a landscaper? Who is going to shovel snow this year?

I’ve been at meetings where opinions were so strong, arguments broke out. Of course we are going to have different opinions. We are individuals with individual tastes. But I think we can learn from Israel’s example. 

Whether we are part of the decision-making board or a volunteer in the nursery, let’s approach our ministries as one man. United in purpose. And if the bathroom ends up green instead of the beautiful blue you wanted, oh well!

The real question is, are believers being equipped to share the gospel and are souls being won for eternity? Is Christ honored from the pulpit, in the pews, in classrooms, on the ball field? Is your fellowship making a difference in your community for Jesus’ sake?

Let’s be united in our focus on the Truth of Scripture and being obedient to our Lord. Let’s put aside our differences if they don’t have a direct effect on that work. Time is too short and we have too much to do to worry about paint colors and manicured lawns.

Father, I thank you for those people who volunteer to sit on church boards, who mow church lawns and shovel snow. I thank you for choir members and nursery workers and Sunday School teachers. And, Lord I pray that where your people gather, we would do that as one man. May we set aside opinions that don’t matter in eternity and work together to accomplish your work that does matter. Bless your church today, Lord, and the dear ones who work together to make their fellowship run smoothly.

September 5

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Ezekiel 2:21-70; Nehemiah 7:26-73

Today’s portion of scripture includes a list of people who traveled to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. And we read that list two times. It was very important that all the families were represented.

Did you notice that the list also includes over 600 people who came to Jerusalem but couldn’t prove they were descendants of Israel? These people no doubt came with good hearts and intentions. But because they couldn’t produce the right paper-work, they were kept separate. Even if they claimed to be priests, they still weren’t permitted to eat the sacred food until they had gone through the proper channels.

It reminds me that there will be people with good hearts and intentions who will go to hell. They will stand before God on that day only to hear him say -“I never knew you”. I can’t think of anything more frightening.

You might think that’s unfair. But Jesus made it clear when he said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and NO ONE goes to the Father except through me. It doesn’t say you can’t get to the Father unless you are a good person.

It would be unfair of God to make that rule and not provide a way. So Jesus died that WHOEVER believes in him will have eternal life. 

The wages of sin is death. If you sin, you pay with your life. The Bible says we all have sinned, have fallen short of God’s standards. No one is exempt. And we all deserve hell.

Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead has paid the debt in full. But it’s not a blanket provision. There are conditions to receiving it. It’s not church attendance, it’s not clean living, it’s not kindness or helpfulness.

It’s saying “yes”. It’s recognizing our sinful state and asking God to forgive us, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It’s accepting Jesus as the only way to the Father. It’s saying “yes” to his offer of grace.

Don’t think you are good enough without that personal encounter with Christ. You aren’t and you never will be.

Dear God in Heaven, may we grasp the urgency in your message today. May we realize the truth and run to you for your forgiveness. May we accept your provision of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then may we live lives that honor you and draw others to you, too. Thank you for grace, for the cross, for your dear Son, and the presence of your Holy Spirit in us when we accept you for our own.

September 4

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Ezra 1:1-4, 1:5-2:20; Daniel 6:1-28; Nehemiah 7:4-25

Cyrus, King of Persia, gave the ok for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. So eager Jews made their way to the city from all over the area. They were on a mission!

Obviously, not every Jew was led to go and help with the building. Some stayed back. But did you notice that even those who didn’t go contributed financially? They gave silver and gold, goods and livestock, valuable gifts and freewill offerings.

The building of the temple was going to require more than just man power.

Our local churches require more than just pastors and a few Sunday School teachers, too. There are bills to pay, maintenance costs, teaching materials, office supplies. And that’s just a portion of what goes on in most fellowships. And it all costs money.

I hope you give generously so that the building where you meet to worship God is in good condition and able to function.

What part do you have in supporting missions? Do you give above your tithe so that these servants have what they need to reach the lost in other countries? God called them to go. I think he’s called those of us who stay to give. 

Not everyone is called to be a preacher or a missionary. But we need to be giving our silver and our gold, goods and livestock, valuable gifts and freewill offerings so God’s work can be accomplished and souls saved for eternity.

Father, thank you for recording this example of giving. May you find us eager to support our local churches. And may we give sacrificially so that your work can be accomplished all over the world. I pray that we would not hold on to what you have given us, but that we would give back with joyful hearts. Thank you for those dear ones who have answered your call to serve as pastors and teachers here in our country and on foreign soil. May those who sharing your truth be strengthened and may souls be saved for eternity because we were faithful to give.

September 3

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Daniel 8:1-27, 5:1-31, 99:1-27; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

What stood out to me today as I read these verses was the fact that Daniel prayed for the nation of Israel. Really prayed.

He didn’t just say, “God bless America”. I mean “Israel”. He didn’t slide over a quick, “Be with the President”. I mean “King”. Daniel went to God with a broken heart and confessed the sins of the nation that was built on God’s laws.

Most of you who read this blog live in the USA. We are a nation that was built on Biblical principles by men who acknowledged the Creator God. How the mighty have fallen.

I might be preaching to the choir, but I’m thinking Christians might need to spend more time praying for our great nation. I know I do.

I hate politics, avoid reading world news, and turn the TV station if people begin spouting opinions about what needs to happen to solve our problems. But if I hide my head in the sand I can’t pray specifically for our country or the world.

The threat of chemical warfare in Syria is frightening. But what about the chemical warfare we have in our own country against unborn children? Thousands of innocent American babies are slaughtered every day with chemicals that tear them from their mother’s wombs. I don’t see the media or the president up in arms about that.

“God bless the USA” just doesn’t get to the heart of things, does it?

Daniel knew the sins that needed to be confessed. He went to God with specific requests based on what he knew to be true. I think God would welcome the same kind of prayers from us – no matter where we live.

Pray, America. Really pray. We are a nation that was once blessed by God because our leaders honored him. Let’s determine to be informed citizens who take to God our specific requests for our nation and our world. It really is up to us, dear Christian friends. 

Dear God, we are a sinful nation. From our entertainment, to our greed, to our indifference, to our legislators who would force you out of our country, we have turned our back on you and deserve your wrath. I pray that your Holy Spirit would melt the hearts of men and women who today are hardened. I pray for the salvation of our President, his advisors, national, state, local governments. I pray for an outpouring of your Spirit on the media, in the classrooms, in our homes. May we return to the foundation on which this nation was built. Like Daniel I would pray, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because (this country and your people once honored you)”. May we honor you once more.

September 2

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Daniel 4:1-37, 7:1-28; 2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34

Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind. Literally. He found himself living in the wilds like an animal. He was a king who had it all according to the world’s standards. But all that didn’t prevent him from suffering.

Later, after the king regained his sanity and his throne he wrote a letter to the people about his experience. And do you know what he said about those dark days? Daniel 4:2&3 says:

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed FOR me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.”

Do you believe that even your darkest hours, your hardest challenges, your toughest circumstances are opportunities for God to do something FOR you? I have shared that in 2012 we lost two very dear men in our family. It’s been almost a year since my dad went to live with the Lord. At 87 and in poor health he was ready to go and that helped us to let him go a little easier. But the hole he left in our family is still there and I miss him.

But I’ve also shared that we lost my 22 year old nephew in an auto accident. One minute he was with us, loving us, making us laugh. The next he was gone. His death has been and continues to be a source of great sadness for me and my family.

There have been many dark days since that June Sunday. And in many ways Geoff’s loss is still fresh. Can I honestly say that it’s a pleasure to tell you about it? Can I look at our situation and share what God has done FOR us through this?

I’m getting there.

I have seen God’s hand obviously working in our lives this past year. I’ve seen my sister, a grieving mother, reach out to help others in Jesus’ name. We have praised God for the privilege of knowing Geoff for 22 amazing years and look forward to seeing him again one day because he knew the Lord as his Savior. That confidence helps us get out of bed every day.

I’ve learned things about myself this past year. I’ve learned my faith is as strong as I had hoped it would be. I’ve learned that God is true to his Word and provides strength when we have none of our own. I know first hand that, although it takes time, joy returns to those who mourn and it’s ok.

Now I can honestly say that as grateful as I am for the lessons I’ve learned through Dad and Geoff’s deaths, I wish I could have learned them and still held on to those two. I wish Geoff would walk through that door and tell me I passed the test so we could get back to life. I mean, Nebuchadnezzar got his kingdom back, didn’t he?

I don’t know what valley you are going through. And I don’t know the extent of your pain. But I know mine. And I can tell you that God is able to carry you through the worst situations because he’s carrying me through mine. 

I may not be quite at the point where I can say it’s a pleasure to tell you about Geoff. But I can say without hesitation that it is a pleasure to tell you about my Savior, my source of strength, my joy. It’s Jesus. Simply put. It’s Jesus.

Nebuchadnezzar reminds us that God’s kingdom is eternal, his dominion endures. This life is so short compared to eternity. My prayer for you is that, if you are going through a difficult situation you won’t waste time blaming God or being angry at him because things aren’t fair. My prayer is that you will trust him. That you will allow him to do something FOR you in the midst of the pain. 

He will, you know. Draw close to God and he promises to draw close to you. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

 

September 1

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Ezekiel 47:1-48:35, 29:17-30:19

You remember the story of Moses and the Israelites who, when dying of thirst in the desert, were saved when water came rushing out of a rock. When Jesus met the woman at the well he told her that if she drank the Living Water she would never thirst again.

Here in Ezekiel’s vision we see water again as an example of God’s provision. The man who took Ezekiel through this vision told about the water that flows into the sea and makes the salt water fresh.

How has God’s Presence in your life – in mine- changed us? Do we still thirst for worldly pleasure and gain? Or have we allowed Jesus to fill and satisfy every longing?

Do we still hold on to the behaviors of our past or have we allowed God to transform us into something sweet and useful for the kingdom? God has the power to change even the saltiest among us.

As you go to church today, I pray you will go knowing you are worshiping the Living Water. May he fill you to overflowing and cause you to bear fruit. 

And may you never thirst again for anything other than more of him!