Posted by Charlie on Sep 28, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Zechariah 1, 2, 3; Luke 11
And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.
Zechariah 3:6-7
Observation
Zechariah’s vision of Joshua the High Priest is amazing. Satan is standing there to accuse Joshua, who is clothed in filthy garments. God himself steps in, rebukes Satan, and commands that Joshua be clothed in holy garments. Then God gives Joshua the promise noted above in verses 6 and 7.
Application
God’s command to walk in his ways and keep his charge is a repeat theme in Scripture, not only in the Old Testament, but also in the New. Paul declares that we are to, “Walk in the manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Staying true to God’s ways opens the door to access—access to his presence, to his promises, and to his blessing.
Prayer
Father, please direct me in your ways today and keep me in your paths. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: access, blessing
Posted by Charlie on Sep 16, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Ezekiel 40, 41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
Psalm 128:1-2
Observation
I love the Psalms of Ascent. They are short Psalms intended to be recited as part of the journey to Jerusalem for the feasts of the Lord, and they celebrate the goodness of God to his people.
Application
We work very hard at our house at both business and spiritual pursuits, but it is critical to always keep a right perspective about where the source of blessing lies. God intends for us to work—it is part of the design for humanity, but he also wants me to stay focused on where my provision rests. I’m in trouble when I say, “Look at all that my hand has done!”
Prayer
Father, thank you for your blessing. Please let your hand be with us today and establish the work of our hands! In Jesus name, amen.
Tags: blessing, work
Posted by Charlie on Jul 24, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 40,41,42; 1 Peter 3
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8–9
Observation
I suppose it’s not surprising that God’s blessing to me is linked to my blessing others, even when they are not deserving. It’s the way things work in God’s kingdom. He links my forgiveness to the way I forgive others. He responds with provision when I keep an open hand and give freely. As I abide in him and allow his life to permeate mine, and I exhibit such godly qualities as relational harmony, sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, and humility, God manages to pour those things back into my soul in abundance.
Application
It’s kind of a nice trade. John Maxwell calls it the “big shovel principle.” I shovel those things into the lives of the people around me, and God shovels them back into my life. Only God has a bigger shovel than I do.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you show those wonderful qualities in the way you deal with me. Please help me abide in you today in a closer and closer way, so that my life reflects who you are. Grant that I might be a blessing to others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: abide, blessing, inheritance
Posted by Charlie on May 31, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Proverbs 16, 17, 18; Romans 12
He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 18:22
Observation
In Genesis 2 God proclaims that it is not good for man to be alone, so he made a helper corresponding to him. God was the one who gave the first wife to the first man as a gift, and, according to Proverbs 18:22, he is still the one who blesses with a life helper and partner.
Application
It’s just another opportunity to pause and be thankful for the incredible favor God has shown to me. Words cannot express how blessed I am and how thankful I am for the wonderful woman God has granted to me as a wife.
Prayer
Father, thank you. You have blessed me so mightily. Please help me be a blessing to Linda the way she is to me. Please grant that my children, in your time, will find spouses that are as much a blessing as mine is to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: blessing, helper, marriage, spouse, wife
Posted by Charlie on May 29, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Proverbs 10, 11, 12; Romans 10
The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And the desire of the righteous will be granted.
Proverbs 10:24
Observation
God plants dreams and visions in the hearts of those who love him. The exciting thing about this truth is that he funds his projects. God is far more willing to bring his desire to pass than we can imagine, and when he places a dream in the heart of one of his servants he does it with the intent to bring it to pass.
Application
I’m so grateful that this week God has helped me prune away a variety of good ideas and activities that needed to be set aside in my life so that I can focus on the main thing he is speaking to me. He is faithful, not only to place dreams and desires in my heart and mind, but he is faithful to bring the resources and help into my life to bring it to pass. Glory to his name!
Prayer
Father, thank you for the things you have birthed in my heart. Your Word says that the desire of the righteous will be granted. I believe what you have declared, and rest in the hope that the things you have entrusted to my stewardship will indeed come to pass with your empowerment.
Bonus Observation
My heart leapt as I read Romans 10 today. Romans 10:4 declares that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Since it is impossible for me to live up to the righteous requirements of the law that is incredibly good news. The amazement of God’s free gift of righteousness at Jesus Christ’s expense almost makes me giddy.
Tags: blessing, desire
Posted by Charlie on May 26, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Proverbs 1, 2, 3; Romans 7
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
Proverbs 3:33–35
Observation
Proverbs is like a long drink of cool water on a hot day. The constant reassurance in the first three chapters that God blesses the upright, and not to fret about those who practice evil is enough to make me long for a heart of wisdom. Jesus sums it up in the parable of the hidden treasure. Once you understand what is buried there it is worth giving up everything to obtain it.
Application
Today Linda learned that an offshore piracy site is making one of our copyrighted training programs available to its members as a free download. We are not the only victims of this piracy. The woman who let us know about it has had the contents of her entire site kidnapped.
It was upsetting information. Then I read Proverbs. God says, “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:29–32)
It is good to know that God blesses those who trust him, and that he will bring justice to every instance of inequity. My job is to stay on the side of blessing.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you protect and bless your children. I want to be filled with wisdom and righteousness. Please guide me in your way and teach me. Let there be an ever deeper hunger for you, and for the wisdom that comes from abiding in your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: blessing, folly, wisdom
Posted by Charlie on Apr 2, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Judges 13, 14, 15, 16; 2 Corinthians 2
“For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Judges 13:5
Observation
Samson is the poster boy for the fact that God chooses to work through imperfect vessels. One of the things I appreciate about Scripture is that it doesn’t sugar-coat the lives of people in history. Were I to write the story of Samson as fiction I would have him keep his Nazirite vow and he would be doing mighty deeds in the name of YHWH until Israel was freed from the Philistines, and he would be doting over his great grandchildren up to his death at a ripe old age.
The reality, however, is that he was a man of undisciplined passion who had a weakness for women. How might his story have read if he had managed to keep his unbridled hormones in check?
Application
This story serves up both an encouragement and a warning. The encouragement is that I don’t have to be perfect for God to work through my life. It depends more on him than it does on me, which is a good thing.
The warning, however, is that there are consequences to straying from the narrow road of God’s will. He will work his purposes in the world whether I obey him well or not, but if I desire to live a life marked by his blessing it will only come through obedience to his ways.
Prayer
Father, thank you that my imperfection doesn’t pose a problem for you. Thank you that you actually work through my weaknesses. Please help me, in my weakness, to live today in a way that is pleasing to you, that I may enjoy your blessing as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: blessing, disobedience, obedience, weakness
Posted by Charlie on Mar 15, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Deuteronomy 28, 29; Galatians 6
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:7-9
Observation
I’m always taken by the prophetic bent of Deuteronomy 28 as it announces the blessings and curses attached to obedience and disobedience. Some of the curses can seem a bit harsh on the surface, and are sobering to read. Is God still serious about blessing and cursing in the lives of his people?
Application
I’m also always taken by the straightforward nature of Galatians 6:7–9, which outlines the basic spiritual law of sowing and reaping. It’s really saying the same thing as Deuteronomy 28, isn’t it? Walking well with God results in blessing, and walking away from him results in bitter fruit (cursing). I’m wise if I make sure the seed I’m sowing today will yield a harvest I like. I’ll reap what I sow, more than I sow, and in proportion to how much I sow. I need to sow wisely!
Prayer
God, I want to be under your blessing. Please help me to sow good seeds in my life this week. Please bless my family, the work of my hands, and grant your presence to guide me in all I say and do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: blessing, curse, harvest, reaping, seed, sowing
