search and rescue
June 30, 2009 READ: Luke 19:1-10 The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10 Almost every week we see news about a search-and-rescue mission. It may involve a child who wandered away from a family picnic and is lost, or a hiker stranded on a mountain, [...]
marvelous
He does great things too marvelous to understand (v.10).
READ: Job 9:9-11
Last year, the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympics were spectacular. The 17 days of competition, full of world-record-shattering performances, were sensational. But were the 2008 Summer Games marvelous?
Before answering, first consider what the word marvelous means. The American Heritage Dictionary defines marvelous as: (1) Causing wonder or astonishment. (2) Miraculous; supernatural. Webster’s Dictionary says marvelous means: (1) Exciting wonder or surprise; astonishing; wonderful. (2) Partaking of the character of miracle, or supernatural, incredible. (3) That which exceeds natural power, or is preternatural, that which is wonderful—opposed to the probable.
Of the 12 times the word marvelous is used in Scripture (NLT version), not once does it describe a quality or accomplishment of man. In every instance, the adjective describes attributes and works of God:
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His deeds (2 Chronicles 26:15; Job 5:9, 9:10;
Psalm 9:1; Revelation 15:1, 3).
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His grace (Galatians 1:15; Jude 1:4).
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His glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3).
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His wisdom (Ezekiel 28:7).
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His workmanship (Psalm 139:14).
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His kindness (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Perhaps one of the most beautiful testimonies of this deeply descriptive word was when Job said, “He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles” (Job 5:9, 9:10).
When he made these statements, Job was covered in excruciatingly painful sores and had lost his family and his worldly possessions. Yet, nothing could stop him from marveling at God’s deeds and miracles.
Meditate on the marvelous things that God is doing today. —Roxanne Robbins
What do you think is the most marvelous thing about God? How are we changed when we marvel at God and His works?
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Loading ...macauley
June 29, 2009
READ: Isaiah 6:1-8
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” —Isaiah 6:8
Macauley Rivera, one of my dearest friends in Bible college, had a passion for the Savior. His heart’s desire was to graduate, marry his fiancée Sharon, return to the inner city of Washington, DC, and plant a church to reach his friends and family for Christ.
That dream ended, however, when Mac and Sharon were tragically killed in an accident, leaving the student body stunned at the loss. At Mac’s memorial service, the challenge was issued: “Mac is gone. Who will serve in his place?” As evidence of the impact of Mac’s example, more than 200 students stood to take up the mantle of Christ’s fallen servant.
The response of those students echoes the commitment of Isaiah. In a time of fear and insecurity, the prophet was summoned into the throne room of God, where he heard Him say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Isaiah responded, “Here am I! Send me” (Isa. 6:8).
God still calls men and women to be His ambassadors today. He challenges us to serve Him—sometimes close to home, sometimes in distant lands. The question for us is, How will we respond to His call? May God give us the courage to say, “Here am I! Send me.” — Bill Crowder
Whom God calls, He qualifies; whom He qualifies, He sends.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities (v.10).
READ: Luke 16:1-13
Back in the day when I played high school sports, I wanted a new baseball glove. I found the glove I wanted in a local sporting goods store and diligently saved up my money. But when the day came for the purchase, I was 15 cents short. I hadn’t accounted for the sales tax.
The store owner told me I could take the glove. But he wanted me to bring him the 15 cents when I got it. It was just 15 cents! But his request was teaching me the importance of little things.
Flash forward a dozen years. As I waited to purchase a newspaper from a coin-operated machine, the man buying a paper in front of me caught the spring-released door and held it open. He turned to look at me, offering me a “free” newspaper. I declined. It was “only” 50 cents. But it was much more than that.
In Luke 16, Jesus used a parable about a man who was more shrewd than honest to make a point about integrity. The man used his master’s finances to ensure his own financial security. But Jesus said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (v.10).
God warned His people Israel about integrity in business dealings. “Do not use dishonest standards,” He told them. “Your scales and weights must be accurate”
(Leviticus 19:35-36).
Dishonesty in even the smallest of business transactions permits others to despise the name of the God we serve. And as the wise man said, “A good name is more desirable than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1 NIV).
If you don’t have integrity in the little temptations, you won’t have a chance when the big ones come along. —Tim Gustafson
As Zacchaeus repented of having cheated people (Luke 19:8), what did he tell Jesus he would do? If you’ve been dishonest, how can you make it right?
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are you ready?
June 28, 2009
READ: Acts 13:1-5
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work.” —Acts 13:2
Three months before a planned missions trip, a friend and I were talking about the upcoming event. He said to me, “If anyone can’t go, I’d be willing to step in and join you.” This was not going to be an easy 8 days, for we would be painting, repairing, and fixing stuff in the July heat of Jamaica. Yet my friend seemed eager to go.
About 6 weeks before we were scheduled to leave, there was an opening. I e-mailed my friend—whom I hadn’t seen in the interim—and asked if he was still interested. He immediately responded, “Sure! And I got a passport just in case you asked.” He had made sure he was ready—just in case he got the call to go.
My friend’s preparation reminds me of what happened back in the first century at Antioch. Paul and Barnabas were among a number of people getting themselves ready spiritually for whatever God might ask them to do, or wherever He might send them. They didn’t prepare by getting a passport, but they “ministered to the Lord and fasted” (Acts 13:2). And when the Holy Spirit said, “Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work” (v.2), they were all set for the journey.
Are you preparing for what God might want you to do? When the Spirit says, “Go,” will you be ready? — Dave Branon
Keep your tools ready—God will find work for you.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...the God who sees
Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me” (v.13).
READ: Genesis 16:1-16
Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) are distress devices built for people involved in land-based outdoor activities. They transmit radio signals that are detected by 12 Earth-orbiting satellites. The satellites relay signals to ground stations that process and determine the beacon location and to whom it belongs. The information is then relayed to search and rescue (SAR).
As useful as this device is, it wouldn’t have helped Hagar much. For no one seemed to care enough about her and her unborn child to monitor their location and progress in the desert. No one except El Roi, that is.
Genesis 16 opens up with Sarai scheming and piecing together a plan to help God fulfill His promise to make Abram’s descendants as numerous as the stars. But there was one problem—Sarai couldn’t get pregnant (v.1). She probably saw herself as the weak link in the chain of God’s plan, so she offered her maidservant, Hagar, to her husband. When Hagar became pregnant with Abram’s child and began to flaunt her “procreational” superiority in front of Sarai, Sarai became upset and began mistreating Hagar (v.6).
Hagar ran away to the desert, feeling hopeless and desperate. The angel of the Lord found her, asked her a couple of questions, and commanded her to give the child the name Ishmael (which means “God has heard your misery”). He then sent her back to Sarai. Before leaving that place, however, Hagar gave the name El Roi to the Lord which means, “You are the God who sees me.” It implied that God saw her situation with perfect clarity and that she was the object of His gracious attention.
In the desert of affliction and misery, trust that God sees your situation with perfect clarity and gives you His active presence (v.28:15), provision (v.20), and protection (Deuteronomy 2:7). —Marvin Williams
When have you doubted that God saw your situation with perfect clarity and provided His gracious attention? How did God remove those doubts?
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One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover (v.1).
READ: Song of Songs 3:1-4
A Japanese man living alone in the city of Fukoka noticed that food was disappearing from his fridge. So he installed a security camera which showed someone moving around inside his house while he was away. When the police investigated, they found a 58-year-old woman that had been living in a tiny storage space in the house for almost a year!
It’s hard to believe that two people could share an address for that long without ever connecting. Sadly, many marriages fall into the same pattern. It takes effort to stay close so that “the two are united into one” (Ephesians 5:31).
Solomon’s wife has some pointers for connected living. She says, “One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover” (Song of Songs 3:1). Generating tender thoughts about our spouses can keep our hearts open to connecting when we have time to be together.
And speaking of togetherness, his wife decided, “I will search for the one I love” (v.2). She got out of bed, threw on her trusted tunic, and charged out the door to find her husband! Just like her, husbands and wives need to seek each other out despite the deterrents of long hours at work, dirty dishes, and soccer games.
Finally, Solomon’s wife catches up with him. She says, “I caught and held him tightly” (v.4). She is so happy to find her guy that she takes him to bed! Staying physically involved is a part of God’s plan for the “oneness” that makes the marriage relationship so special.
Marriage should be much more than two people sharing an address. At its best, it involves warm thoughts, time together, and physical intimacy. At its worst, it may leave you wondering, “What happened to the salami sandwich I left in the fridge?” —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Why is “oneness” so crucial when it comes to marriage? What could you do this week to draw closer to God?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...advice for the groom
June 27, 2009
READ: Proverbs 1:1-9
My son, hear the instruction of your father. —Proverbs 1:8
The custom of a bachelor party before a wedding is often characterized by drunkenness and carousing. The party-hearty attitude seems driven by the belief that the groom will soon be married and have to settle down to a life of domestic boredom.
Not long ago, one of my nephews got married. The best man planned a get-together for Joel, but with a refreshing difference. Those invited were asked to bring some thoughts to share that would help him in this new chapter of life.
When I arrived at the informal breakfast, I found a cheerful spirit of camaraderie. Fathers, uncles, brothers, and friends were animated in lively discussion. The father of the bride and the father of the groom were asked to share their advice on what they had learned in their own Christian marriage. Their thoughts were personal, realistic, and biblical.
The book of Proverbs mirrors this kind of mentoring in facing life’s challenges and rewards. “My son, hear the instruction of your father . . . for [it] will be a graceful ornament on your head” (Prov. 1:8-9).
How God-honoring it would be if more couples began their marriage with an attitude that heeded the wisdom of those who walked the path before them. — Dennis Fisher
He is truly wise who gains his wisdom from the experience of others.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Movie Review! By Bill Crowder This big-budget sequel to the previous Transformers movie has all the ingredients of a summer blockbuster. It has fast-paced action, lots of special effects, and a couple of kids trying to save the world. It also has the influence of Steven Spielberg all over it. It has everything you would [...]
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