are you ready?
July 31, 2008 READ: Hebrews 4:1-7 Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. —Hebrews 4:7 It was a wild night for our family. At 11:30 p.m., I got a call from my son Steve. “Dad, I’m going to Iraq.” “Right now?” I asked in disbelief. “Yes, I’m ready to go.” [...]
snapshots of time
July 30, 2008
READ: Psalm 90:1-12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. —Psalm 90:12
The designers of an innovative Web site call their creation a “snapshot” of our world. Every hour, computers monitor international news sources, select the most frequently occurring words and pictures, then display them as an interactive image. Over time, these hourly snapshots compose a mosaic of unfolding world events.
If a computer could track our words and actions, what would a snapshot of yesterday reveal? Over the weeks and months, what patterns would emerge? And what theme would dominate the final mosaic of our lives?
Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses the man of God, is a powerfully honest look at the brevity and significance of life. The writer compares an entire lifetime to a dream or a blade of grass, and cries out to God: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (v.12). Our days often seem so insignificant, yet they add up to so much. The Message renders verse 12: “Teach us to live wisely and well.” It is a prayer for the snapshots of life with the final image in view.
When all the pictures of our life are laid on the table, they will reveal our recurring words and actions. What story will they tell? It’s worth considering as we make our choices each day. — David C. McCasland
It’s not how long you live that counts, but how you live.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...the sign
July 29, 2008
READ: Philippians 1:9-18
Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill. —Philippians 1:15
A pastor friend told me about a sign he had seen in front of a neighborhood church. Instead of just advertising the congregation’s own time of worship, the sign also listed the schedule for two other churches that met at different times in the same small town. Interestingly, my friend didn’t think this was impractical or foolish. Instead, he imagined what it must do for a church to put such unselfishness at the heart of everything it did!
Whether it is a good idea to advertise the worship times of other churches is a matter of opinion. But one thing is certain—the Spirit of Christ is not found in a spirit of envy and self-serving competition. The generosity and goodwill that Paul expressed toward self-serving church leaders is a mark of the authentic Christian spirit (Phil. 1:14-18). This Christlike attitude lines up with the absence of spiritual competition James called for in his epistle (James 3:14-17).
Churches ought to be concerned about building their congregations. But beware of setting the bar too low by worrying about numbers. The wisdom and grace of Christ are not necessarily found in conventional wisdom. Good judgment often requires that we perform counter-intuitive acts of unselfishness that reflect Jesus’ life in us. — Mart De Haan
Nothing is more pleasing to God than self-sacrifice that grows out of obedience.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...desperate for answers
July 28, 2008
READ: Deuteronomy 18:9-14
When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. —Deuteronomy 18:9
A popular afternoon television program a few years ago was hosted by a self-proclaimed medium. He supposedly received messages from spirits of the dead to give to their family members in his studio audience. His readings prompted many people to believe in this occultic practice.
We live in a culture where people are desperate to know their future, and they’ll turn to psychics and mediums for answers—a practice expressly forbidden in the Scriptures.
The ancient Israelites were desperate to know their future, and God knew that they would be tempted to consult ungodly sources for answers. So He warned them to stay away from mediums and those who contact the dead (Lev. 19:26,31; 20:27; Deut. 18:9-14).
God knew that these practices would prevent ancient Israel from being a holy, set-apart people who would be a blessing to all nations. The future for Israel was determined by their faithfulness to God’s covenant, not the words of soothsayers and psychics. Reliance on these evil practices indicated a failure to trust the Lord with their lives.
When you are desperate for information about your future, turn to the sovereign God of heaven. He is the only One who holds the answers you seek. — Marvin Williams
The what of our future is determined by the who of eternity.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...the revisable edition
July 27, 2008
READ: Matthew 5:43-48
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . for instruction in righteousness. —2 Timothy 3:16
Randall Peterson, a retired autoworker, thinks there could be an interest for a new kind of Bible. He sarcastically says that a publisher ought to create an electronic Bible that would allow for editing from the pew. That way individuals and churches could make the Bible say what they want it to say. He says it could be called the “LAME” Bible: “Locally Adaptive Multifaith Edition” and “could be sold to any church regardless of what it believes.”
He’s making a point, of course, but we might be tempted by such a product. Jesus gives us some hard teachings! As believers, our desire is to be obedient to Him in our choices and attitudes, but at times we resist the Word of God and may wish we could soften His commands.
Some of Jesus’ hard teachings are found in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, He says: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (v.44). That’s what He tells us to do, so we know we can’t just delete it. We need to apply it to our personal situation with the Holy Spirit’s enablement.
God’s Word is to be obeyed by His people. We’re the ones who need to be “revised”—not the Scriptures. — Anne Cetas
To love God is to obey God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...bowling a googley
July 26, 2008
READ: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, . . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings. —1 Peter 4:12-13
George Bernard Shaw once said, “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.” An example from the world of sports demonstrates his point.
As a lifelong baseball fan, I’m familiar with the term curveball. It’s a ball thrown by the pitcher in such a way that it changes direction, fooling the opponent. In cricket, the strategy is similar but the word is very different. The bowler (pitcher) tries to overcome the batsman by “bowling a googley” (pitching a curveball).
Though games and cultures differ, the concept of the curveball portrays a reality familiar in any language. Life is full of times when we are unsuspectingly “bowled a googley,” and we find ourselves overwhelmed. In those moments of fear and confusion, it’s comforting to know we have a God who is sufficient for any challenge.
Trials are to be expected (1 Peter 4:12). Yet we may well be shocked by the circumstances facing us. But God is never surprised! He permits our trials, and He can enable us to respond to them in a way that honors Him.
When we suffer, we must “commit [our] souls to Him in doing good,” wrote Peter (v.19). In God’s strength, we can face life’s most troublesome curveballs. — Bill Crowder
Nothing surprises God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...wheelchair ride
July 25, 2008
READ: Psalm 59
You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. —Psalm 59:16
Ben Carpenter has muscular dystrophy and gets around in an electric wheelchair. One day as he was crossing an intersection, the light changed and a semi-truck caught the handles of Ben’s wheelchair in its grille. Unaware, the driver started down the road, and before long Ben was being pushed along at 50 miles per hour. Soon the rubber on the wheelchair’s tires began to burn off.
Passersby saw the bizarre sight and phoned 911 to inform the police. When the truck driver pulled over, he was astonished to see what was attached to his truck’s grille. Ben had a big scare but escaped without injury.
Sometimes we may feel as if our lives have been hijacked by unexpected circumstances. When David was invited to King Saul’s court, he soothed the king’s nerves by playing on his lyre. Then, unpredictably, the jealous king threw a spear at him. David found himself caught in a dangerous drama of pursuit in which King Saul tried to take his life. Yet David looked to God for immediate protection, and he ultimately received deliverance. Because of this experience he wrote of the faithfulness of God: “You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble” (Ps. 59:16).
No matter what our trouble, God is there. — Dennis Fisher
When troubles call on you, call on God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...the power in meekness
July 24, 2008
READ: Exodus 2:11-15; 3:7-12
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. —Isaiah 30:15
Niagara Falls is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. The roar of 6 million cubic feet of water each minute makes it the most powerful waterfall in North America. Few people, however, know that more than 50 percent of the river’s water is diverted before it reaches those falls via four huge tunnels. This water passes through hydroelectric turbines that supply power to nearby areas in the US and Canada before returning to the river well past the Falls.
Some would love to have others think of their lives like Niagara Falls— wild, spectacular, and loud. But power without control dissipates into useless energy. Moses thought he could use his royal power to bring about deliverance for God’s people from slavery. He misused his power by killing an Egyptian, which only dissipated his power because he lost the respect of his own people (Ex. 2:11-15). God had to teach him meekness (Num. 12:3).
The meek prosper because they are the ones who have power under control. Our Lord said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). You may be trying to live in this world by your own power. Let God teach you meekness so that you can live in, and depend on, His strength. — C. P. Hia
Nothing is stronger than strength under God’s control.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...better with age
July 23, 2008
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. —2 Corinthians 4:16
Some people are obsessed with physical fitness—daily workouts, vitamins, organic food—in spite of the fact that our bodies keep ticking away in inevitable decline. In our twenties and thirties we think we’re invincible, but in the decades that follow, the eyesight starts to go, then the knees, then the mind. Let’s face it, trying to ensure long-lasting physical health is like trying to stem the tide with a pitchfork!
And while it is true that the older we get the worse we get physically, it doesn’t have to be that way spiritually. Believe it or not, it is possible to get better with age. It’s what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).
Many of us fear aging with all the trouble it brings. But when we are gradually stripped of everything that props us up—whether wealth, independence, health, dignity, beauty, or all of the above—we are left with more and more of God. So no matter how old you are, it’s not too late to dig deep in God’s Word and invest more and more time in your spiritual well-being. You’ll see the payoffs, now and later. The older you get, the better you can become! — Joe Stowell
To get better with age, get spiritually fit.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...love, INC
July 22, 2008
READ: Colossians 3:12-17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. —Colossians 3:17
When I heard about the service agency called Love, INC, I assumed that meant Love, Incorporated. But it actually means Love—In the Name of Christ. The organization’s goal is to mobilize churches to reach out to a hurting and needy world in the name of Christ.
Throughout history, people have said they’re acting in Jesus’ name, when in reality it was for their own advantage. During World War II, the horrors of the Holocaust were sometimes rationalized by those who labeled the Jews “Christ-killers.” Today racist groups dare to use “Christian” in their name or literature while using violence and hatred to intimidate people.
The Word of God is so saturated with the word love that it’s hard to imagine how anyone could justify doing hateful acts in the name of Christ. Love is at the core of the gospel: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was motivated by God’s love. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).
As grateful followers of Jesus, we are told to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). When we represent Him to other people in word and deed, they should see love, in the name of Christ. — Cindy Hess Kasper
Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, . . . but have not love, it profits me nothing. —1 Cor. 13:3
Source: Our Daily Bread
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