Posted by Charlie on May 16, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1Th. 5:16–18
Observation
How can I know God’s will for my life? Paul removes a part of the mystery in 1 Thessalonians 5 16–18 where he tells me outright—rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.
Application
Wow, this is such a matter of perspective, isn’t it? Life has a way of presenting pressures and problems, but if I keep my perspective centered on my relationship with Jesus Christ it puts an entirely different spin on everything. It goes back to the concept of pressing through the crowd and getting to Jesus, no matter what else is going on around me. Without that I’m a wandering soul, but if I can touch the hem of his garment every day and stay close to him I have ample reason to rejoice, regardless of what ever else is going on. Even on days when my physical pain is high I can hold onto an eternal perspective, thank God for his redemption in the midst of my circumstances, and keep him in the forefront of my thoughts.
Prayer
Father, I’m under a lot of pressure today. Please walk with me, grant me wisdom, and be near to me. Thank you for your goodness that leads me to repentance, and for your unending love and mercy. I love you!
Tags: God's will
Posted by Charlie on Apr 10, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 8, 9, 10; 2 Corinthians 10
So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This is one shall reign over my people.”
1 Samuel 9:17
Observation
For me, one of the great mysteries of biblical history is that God, who knows the end from the beginning, more than once chooses people who wind up taking a nose dive. Saul starts out with a sense of humility, but as he gets into his rule as king he makes increasingly abysmal decisions and ends up in the last ten years of his life focusing all his energy on a psychotic illusion that David is a threat to him. Other examples of similar disasters who are specifically chosen by God are Jeroboam and Judas Iscariot. In the case of Judas there is even prophecy in the Hebrew scriptures that predicts he will betray Jesus.
Application
I guess this means there is good news and bad news. The good news is that God doesn’t call perfect people because there aren’t any. God chooses to work with ordinary people who have the choice and potential to follow him or not. In other words, God can use me, which is really good news.
The bad news is that every one of us has the potential to go sideways if we aren’t paying attention to the right things. What right things? It’s about God, and not about me. It’s about his strength, so my weakness is okay as long as I submit it to him. I’ve got a daily responsibility to put him first. I’ve got to pursue godliness, and be proactive in seeking his healing, deliverance, and fellowship. Set my hope fully on the grace that will be given me when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:13).
Prayer
God, I recognize that history is the story of the collective choices of the people who live on this planet. I know that I have choices before me today as my history is being written. Please help me to make wise decisions today. Please lead me in your wisdom and grant that I would grow in the grace and knowledge of God today so that I might know you better and live in a way that pleases you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: choices, God's will, growth
Posted by Charlie on Mar 31, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Judges 9, 10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16
Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Judg. 9:56–57
Observation
Judges 9 tells a rather convoluted tale about Abimelech, one of the sons of Gideon, who presumes to become king of Shechem. Following a prophecy by his younger brother, Jotham, God brings justice to the world by the death of both Abimelech and the men of Shechem. It is a repeat theme in scripture that God is sovereign over the affairs of men, and Judges 9 demonstrates it. While all the people in the story are doing their own respective thing, God is sovereignly at work, orchestrating his own will and purpose.
Application
God promises that all things work together for good for those who love God and are the called according to his purpose. That’s good news, considering that I’m less powerful than the circumstances around me. I can have confidence that God is still sovereign and will work out his own will and purpose as it relates to my life, family, and church.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you are on the throne, and that no purpose of yours will ever fail. I trust you today, and thank you for your work in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: God's will, sovereignty
Posted by Charlie on Mar 23, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Joshua 15, 16, 17; 1 Corinthians 8
Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, but the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. And it happened, when the children of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.
Joshua 17:12-13
Observation
Regardless of my modern struggle with the idea of genocide, the clear command to the Israelites was to utterly destroy the former inhabitants of the land in order to eradicate the evils of their horrible idolatrous practices, which included human sacrifice. God knew that if the Canaanites were allowed to remain, the influence of their idols would corrupt Israel and cause their downfall.
Even after the children of Israel grew strong enough they made the decision to allow the Canaanites to remain rather than complete the cleansing God had commanded. The result for Israel was a gradual slide into idolatry that ended in captivity to Assyria and Babylon.
Application
Accomplishing God’s will takes work. It often looks like daily disciplines of saying, “Yes,” to the things I need to do in order to grow, and, “No,” to the areas of my life that need to be changed so I will not stay the same. Sometimes it’s easier to allow the Canaanites of my life to hang around and justify the idea that they might still serve a purpose when in reality they will only drag me down into complacency or sin. I think this is especially a danger living in a culture that is saturated with vice and various other subtle idolatries. To be a disciple means, among other things, having the discipline to understand and live out the will of God for my life.
Bonus Thought
If my Canaanites are hanging around in the name of Christian liberty (1 Cor 8 ) I end up dragging my brother or sister down. God really isn’t into that.
Prayer
Father, I give you my life, and the day that is before me. Please reveal any areas where I have allowed the Canaanites to remain. Help me to live out this day in a way that pleases you, and grant me the understanding to know your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: compromise, God's will, sin
