Life Journal - Weekly Blog

Return to the Altar

2012-02-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 7 Reading: Genesis 12-14, Luke 5

Topic: Repentance

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 13:3-4

3 And he (Abram) went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

OBSERVATION:

Abram, later called Abraham, often built altars and "called on the name of the Lord." Here we see Abram returning to a previous altar. This altar between Bethel and Ai was first built as Abram was obediently following the Lord's leading into Canaan (Gen 12:7-8). Between these two occasions at the altar we see Abram being distracted by circumstances (famine) and getting off course (into Egypt).

APPLICATION:

Sometimes we, like Abram, get off course. Like Abram, we then need to return to the starting point; that is, to the place of calling upon the name of the Lord. We must call upon Him for our direction and we must call upon Him to stay on course. And if ever we do get off course, we must repent, turn around and return to Him.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I seek You always and only. In Jesus' name. Amen. -AP

God First

2012-02-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 6 Reading: Genesis 9-11, Luke 4

Topic: Pride

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 11:1-9 (particularly v. 4)

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

OBSERVATION:

Why did God confuse the languages at Babel? Was He afraid of man getting too advanced and strong (v.6)? God afraid? Hardly! What really seems to be the issue here is the pride, arrogance and selfishness of man— "...let us build OURSELVES a city..." "...let us make a name for OURSELVES..."

A fundamental principle of God was violated: Be humble—honor God first—let Him exalt you. It seems to me that what happened to the people at Babel was a natural consequence of violating a godly principle.

APPLICATION:

If you want to avoid confusion in your life, remember to always put God first. Don't try to exalt yourself. Remain humble, let Him exalt you.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the reminder to keep You first in every aspect of my life. I do not need to exalt myself. I need only exalt and serve You. You will take care of the rest. Amen. -AP

One Man

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 5 Reading: Genesis 6-8, Luke 3

Topic: Grace

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:6-7

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Gen 6:8 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

The verses previous to this tell how God was grieved and sorry that He had ever created man because all mankind had become corrupt and evil "continually." Then we come to verse 8 - thank God! One man, Noah, lived above the corruption. One man made a difference for all mankind. Oh true, all who were corrupt and evil were destroyed, but mankind was allowed to continue because one man found God's grace. One man can make a huge difference.

APPLICATION:

Am I the kind of man who can make a difference? It is the desire of my heart to live above corruption—to be a man of honesty and integrity. Through Christ I have been cleansed and purified. And now, with His help, strength and guidance, I want to be a man who makes a difference for many others.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I, as Noah, find grace in Your eyes. In Christ's name - Amen. -AP

Dominion Over Self

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 4 Reading: Genesis 3-5, Luke 2

Topic: Self-control

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:6-7

6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

OBSERVATION:

From the very beginning God equipped mankind with the power to resist sin—to “rule over it” (v. 7). The idea that we are helpless to live above our “animal instincts” or that that our behavior is linked entirely to our genetic make up, is just not true!

Because of the original sin of Adam, we are born in sin—that's true. It is also true that scripture makes it clear that we are unable to save ourselves from our sin nature; that is why we need the Savior, Jesus Christ. But it is also true that we are equipped to decide not to sin. We need not be ruled by sin, but indeed have been created with the ability to live above sin—to rule over it and to help each other rule over it.

APPLICATION:

Just because we need to be saved from our sin nature does not mean that we have no choice but to sin. God not only gave men and women dominion over the earth, He also gave us dominion over ourselves. Let us recognize that dominion and exercise it with His help.

PRAYER:

Father, help us to live to the utmost of the potential You have created in us. May we rightly exercise the dominion you have bestowed upon mankind over creation and over ourselves. Amen. -AP

Hear Him!

2012-01-15T00:01:00.001-08:00

Week 3 Reading: Numbers 30-31, Mark 9

Topic: Spiritual Hearing

SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:7

7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Mark 9:7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

How good is your hearing? Sometimes in the physical, people have hearing deficiencies. Especially when people get older, their hearing may become a little dulled. At the age of 62 I’ve already noticed that my hearing isn’t as good as it used to be. In a noisy restaurant for example, I find I have to really lean in and give focused concentration to the person across the table from me in order to understand what they are saying. Sometimes, however, people don’t hear because they’re just not listening. Rather than asking, “How good is your hearing?” perhaps a better question would be, “How good is your listening?”

I overheard a couple of older gentlemen talking once. One guy was worried about his wife and was telling his friend, “My wife has begun talking to herself a lot lately.” His friend just laughed and said, “My wife’s been talking to herself for years, but she doesn’t know it. She thinks I’m listening.”

The NIV version of Mark 9:7 reads like this:

7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" (Mark 9:7 NIV)

APPLICATION:

Do you ever hear someone without paying any attention to them? I guess husbands are famous for that aren’t they? One reason we may not hear Jesus is that we just aren’t listening. Another reason, however, may be because our hearing has been damaged. Just as in the physical, people may be experiencing some hearing loss without even realizing it, the same thing could have happened to some of us spiritually. Just as injury, infection, etc. can physically damage your ears; past hurts or misunderstandings, pride, arrogance, un-repented sin, etc. can damage your spiritual hearing. Sometimes we just need to make the conscious decision to listen for the Lord’s voice. Sometimes we need to be healed of a hearing blockage.

PRAYER:

Lord, I want to hear You! Forgive me for the times when I have been guilty of not listening to Your voice. And heal me of any conditions that may be blocking or dulling my spiritual hearing.

Through Christ my Savior, my Healer, and the One who directs my path. Amen. -AP

What Will Jesus Do? What Is Jesus’ Will?

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 2 Reading: Numbers 12-13, Psalm 90, Mark 2

Topic: God’s will

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:21-2:11 (a few excerpts follow):

21…immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught...

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him…

29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons.
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed…

39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed”…

2:1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

OBSERVATION:

Before moving on to Mark chapter 2 in this week’s reading, I’d like to look at the rest of chapter 1 taken together with chapter 2, verses 1-12. In reading this portion of scripture we can learn much by asking What will Jesus do? When we observe what Jesus does, it will help us answer the question, What is Jesus’ will?

Then, I must ask myself: What is my resolve to do the will of Jesus and to see the will of Jesus done in and around my life?

Note what Jesus does:

- He prays (1:35)

- He preaches and teaches (1:21, 38, 39, 2:2)

- He heals (1:30, 31, 34, 41, 2:9-11)

(Particularly notice how verses 40-45 in chapter 1 indicate Jesus’ willingness to heal. He says, “I am willing.” It IS Jesus will to heal).

- He casts out demons (1:32-34, 39)

- He forgives sins (2:5)

APPLICATION:

What is our resolve to see Jesus’ will done in and around us? The story of the four friends lowering their paralyzed buddy down to Jesus speaks to us about the matter of resolve.

What obstacles prevent us from getting to Jesus? Sin, Ignorance, Disobedience, Blockades?

How may we overcome these obstacles?

1. Repent and receive forgiveness of sins.

2. Hear and receive the truth.

3. Trust and obey.

4. Refuse to be blocked from Jesus.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for revealing so clearly Your will, and the model I am to follow. Grant to me the strength to overcome all obstacles that would prevent me from receiving every touch it is Your will that I receive. By Your Holy Spirit may I be empowered to minister to those in need, in Your name. Amen. -AP

Dominion

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 1 Reading: Genesis 1-2, Luke 1

Topic: Responsibility

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1:27-28

God said to the man and to the woman “...fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion... over every living thing...” (Gen 1:27-28)

OBSERVATION:

This verse begs the question, "What does God mean by 'dominion'?" We often define dominion as dominance— to dominate, to conquer, to use for selfish purposes. But dominion can also mean to be responsible for— to take care of. Knowing the character and nature of God, I think I know which definition He means, don't you?

Note too, that God gave this command specifically to man AND woman. Dominion is not just a male thing, it is a balance of rulership and nurture.

APPLICATION:

Yes, God has given us (men and women) the earth to serve our needs, but that must always be done responsibly, unselfishly and in proper balance.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I do my part in caring for Your creation responsibly. May I transmit the message of that responsibility to others whom I may influence. Amen. -AP

Why He Came

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day Reading: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-25, Hebrews 2:14-17
Topic: Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS! For this last week of 2010, I want to conclude our series of insights on holiday topics with a story often told and retold at Christmas by the noted Christian newscaster, Paul Harvey:

It was Christmas Eve and the family was preparing to go to church for the annual midnight service. The father declined to go with the others, saying he would feel like a hypocrite for he could not make sense of the idea that God became a man.

Settling down in his easy chair by the fire, he began to read the newspaper. It had already begun to snow heavily when suddenly he heard unusual thumps on the living room window. He thought someone must be throwing snowballs at the window. Going to the front door he discovered a flock of birds had become disoriented in the storm. They were trying to find shelter through the lighted window. He thought, “I can’t let these poor birds freeze to death out there. But what can I do to help them?”

Then he thought of the barn where his children kept their pony. Returning to the house for his heavy overcoat and galoshes, he made his way through the deepening snow. He turned on the light and threw open the door of the barn, endeavoring to shoo the birds into its shelter. But they flew everywhere other than where he wanted them to go. Then he thought, “Food will bring them in,” so he returned to the house for a supply of bread crumbs. He sprinkled a path to the barn, but the birds would have none of it. Try as he would, they refused to cooperate.

“They think I am some strange creature,” he thought. “They don’t realize I’m trying to help them. Oh, if could only become a bird for a few minutes! Then I could make them understand.”

Just then the church bells began to ring out the glorious tidings of Christmas. When the man heard this, an awareness struck him. He dropped right there to his knees in the snow. Looking up he said, “Now Father, I understand why You did it!”

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 2:14-17

Hebrews 2, verses 14 thru 17 tells us the reason for Jesus coming to earth.

14 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death 15 and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.

16 It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. 17 That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins.

(Heb 2:14-17 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Jesus was “Born To Die” and to bring salvation to all humankind, including you and me.

As you prepare for the new year, with all the New Year’s resolutions you may make, will you resolve that since Jesus died for you, you will then live for Him?

Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key some years ago wrote a song titled “The Pledge.” Look at and ponder the words of this song:

It’s a world of choices patterned to confuse. Distracting little voices whisper what to do. Searching for the pieces one step from the edge. Turn your heart toward Jesus. Make this solemn pledge, He died for me. I’ll live for Him.

Above all lords and regents, He is the King of kings. I’m pledging my allegiance through these words I sing. Take this oath of service. Write it on your wall. It’s our only purpose for living life at all. He died for me. I’ll live for Him.

PRAYER:

Lord, You came to earth to give Your life for me. You died for me, I pledge to live for You. Through Christ and by Your power. Amen. -AP

The Shepherd King

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 52 Reading: Genesis 1-2, Luke 2

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8-11

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

It is the shepherds who are summoned to the event of the King’s first coming to our world. And, I think God planned it that way. I mean, I think He planned to continue the connection between shepherd and King.

Jesus is often called the Son of David. Jesus fulfills the promises made to David that one of his seed—one of his descendants—would take the throne of Israel and that His kingdom would last forever. Remember, David was called the shepherd king.

A godly king is like that—a shepherd. His shepherd heart yearns for the safety of the people of his kingdom. He yearns for their health and that they would be fed. He protects them from marauders—from the wolves that would take advantage of their vulnerability.

The scene of the shepherds coming to pay homage to the baby Jesus is touching—but not to the baby. It may even be meaningful to Mary and Joseph. But, it is really for us that the scene unfolds. We’re the ones who are reminded from this scene that not many noble, not many mighty get to witness the things of salvation.

The rich wise men have to undertake arduous journey. Their studies have brought them to this hour. But, the shepherds are interrupted in their slumber. The heavenly host comes to them in their field of labor. I think that’s important to the simple, to the faithful, to the good in heart, to those who may not have the resources to learn of the birth of the King—God comes to them.

Most of us are not like the wise men. Most of us, honestly, are more like the shepherds. God had to interrupt our lives. God had to reveal to us the possibility of a new birth—the new birth of the King and the new birth of the King in our own lives.

Won’t you let the joy of Christmas interrupt your busy life this year. Let the angels visit you. Let them break into your schedule. And then, you visit the Christ Child. Come, see the One born King. And, as you bow and worship, let Him become your Shepherd King.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that all we like sheep have gone astray; and we thank You for being our Shepherd King. We thank You that you love us so much that You will take the time to individually seek and save us when we are lost, just like a shepherd will diligently look for a lost lamb. Lord Jesus, we consciously now in prayer give ourselves over to You and state that we accept You as our Shepherd King. We love You and we bow and worship before You in return. Amen.

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CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS - SHEPHERD’S STAFF PRODUCTIONS - 1410 13TH AVE. - EUGENE, OR 97402

Do You Have Room?

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 51 Reading: Ezekiel 47-48, Luke 2

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:7

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Almost everyone has heard the story of the little boy selected to play the part of the innkeeper in the Christmas play. He was selected at the last minute, and hadn’t really had time to practice much with the other kids. But then, he only had one line to say, “I’m sorry. There’s no room in the inn.” But something happens during the play. He gets so caught up in the story and so moved by the plight of this young mother, great with child; that when Joseph pleads for a room, he changes the line. And, with great compassion says, “Sure. Come on in. We’ll make room for you.” Of course, he brought the house down. And, I was never quite sure how they got the play back on track after that.

Well, we should concede that it was pre-arranged that the Lord should be born in the stable out back—that it was by design. So, I guess, we shouldn’t be too hard on the innkeeper. But, there is a point to be made:

We do have a choice to make in the matter of His birth. You see, it’s both pre-arranged and by choice. God moves from eternity and takes care of all the details of just how Christ will be released into your life, but it’s still your choice. You’re the one who must make room.

In Romans nine, Paul says that the potter has power over the clay and that God has mercy upon whomever He wills. And then, in Romans ten, Paul tells us that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You see, it’s both. Divinely pre-arranged, yet wonderfully up to your choice. God’s sovereignty is undeniable. But, also—and what a great Christmas thought this is—the value of your choice is equally undeniable, and eternally worthwhile.

PRAYER:

Lord, may we ever make room for you in our lives. Thank You that You have chosen us—You have chosen me—You have chosen each individual You have created. You chose to come to earth as a baby for the purpose of eventually dying in our place. You chose to die for me. May there be many who will therefore join me in declaring, “I then choose to live for You.” Through Christ. Amen.

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CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS - SHEPHERD’S STAFF PRODUCTIONS - 1410 13TH AVE. - EUGENE, OR 97402

Your Light Has Come

2011-12-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 50 Reading: Isaiah 60-62, John 1

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:6-7

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD. (Isa 60:1-6 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Isaiah’s wonderful Christmas prophecy here foretelling of the visit of the wise men, shines all the more brilliantly as he contrasts the brightly shining light, that brings to pass the glory of the Lord, with the darkness that covers the face of the earth, and deep darkness the people.

Though it is rightly translated “darkness” the real meaning of the original Hebrew word is misery and destruction and death and, oddly enough, ignorance. Then Isaiah uses a different word to describe the “deep darkness” which will come upon the people.

I don’t take issue with the translators, but I do want to point out that when this Hebrew word is used in other places, it is most often describing the deep clouds in which the Lord resides—as in the clouds so often described in Israel’s wanderings.

What could all of this mean to us? Well, as our world is covered more and more by the clouds of violence, depression, and ignorance; what touches the nations will also attempt to crush the people. But, even within that terrible darkness, Isaiah sees a light—a glimmer of God’s glory that begins to shine out of the darkness. I suspect that the glory of the Lord is actually in the “araphel” —that Hebrew word—the thick cloudy darkness. It’s that when we think all is lost—when we think all is dark—His light is actually beginning to shine. That may be true for you this Christmas.

Remember, all those Christmas prophecies speak of Jesus as a light shining in the darkness. That may be true for you this very moment. That into your darkness, the brightness of Jesus may be beginning to shine. And, with the shining of that light, the darkness will begin to scatter. And, remember, when this happens, the most natural thing in the world is, like the wise men, to give gifts to the Light that has scattered your darkness, and to say, thank You, and to proclaim the praises of the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for being the Light of the World and the Light that dispels the darkness in my own life. For any reading this blog who are living in the oppression and confusion of darkness, may the brightness of Jesus begin to shine bringing revelation and clarity to them I pray; that we may join together with heaven and nature to sing grateful praises to You. Amen.

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CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS - SHEPHERD’S STAFF PRODUCTIONS - 1410 13TH AVE. - EUGENE, OR 97402

Unto Us A Child Is Born

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 49 Reading: Isaiah 8-10, Hebrews 8

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa. 9:6-7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Isaiah’s prophecy here in the ninth chapter is the most lyrical—the most beautiful of all the Old Testament scriptures pointing to the birth of the Messiah King.

It is spoken in the midst of other prophecies which predict the judgment of Israel’s enemies. Isaiah also mentions that just preceding the coming of the glory of the Lord’s advent—the coming of this One upon whom the new government shall rest; that there will be a terrible darkness. He calls it the shadow of death. And, then suddenly, a light shines and reveals the One who is the child of God—the Son of God. (Isa. 8:22-9:2).

Of this One—God’s Son—the prophet uses language that was never spoken before of the Messiah, nor would the words be uttered again. His name is Wonderful. His name is Counselor. His name is Mighty God. His name is Everlasting Father. His name is Prince of Peace.

The language Isaiah uses is quite direct. These are not phrases describing what the Messiah King will do, it Is deeper than that. It is His Name. It is not a matter of His doing, it is a matter of His being.

When we are chilled with the shadow of death, He shines into our darkness. When He comes, He brings us wonder—He brings us counsel—He brings to bear into our lives the power of the Mighty God and the steadfastness of the Everlasting Father—He brings us peace and comfort that can come by no other.

And, as His kingdom is established in our lives, as we participate in this new order—this new kingdom—we begin to experience something of peace and order of which there will never be an end. In this kingdom there is judgment and justice for which all our hearts cry out.

You know what else is neat about this kingdom? It is a kingdom that is available in our lives right now. The Messiah has come, born of the virgin in the little town of Bethlehem. He was born. He lived and ministered and taught. He laid down His life as a sacrifice to atone for our sins and died when He was crucified. And, hallelujah, He was and is greater than death, hell and the grave. He arose victoriously from death and lives and rules for us and in us today if we will but ask Him into our hearts and lives. His kingdom is available to each of us right now—today.

PRAYER:

Almighty God, we thank you for loving us so much that you have provided the way for us to come to you—to escape the damnation that sin has produced. Sin in this world which we have been born into, has caused us to become separated from our Creator. And that is why you sent Jesus—to make the way for us to be reconciled to you once again—to escape eternal death and separation from you—to instead receive everlasting life with You, our loving God.

I pray for anyone reading this blog who has not yet accepted Your great Christmas gift—Your Son Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. Cause them to be aware of and experience Your presence this week. Help them to simply believe and receive Jesus—who is God with us—Emmanuel—the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS - SHEPHERD’S STAFF PRODUCTIONS - 1410 13TH AVE. - EUGENE, OR 97402

Thanks and Giving

2011-11-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 48 Reading: Leviticus 23-24, Psalm 24, Acts 21

Topic: Thanksgiving

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday this week, and enter into the Christmas season following, I would like to take the next few weeks on this blog to focus on and ponder some lessons of this season. This week let’s ponder the concept of thanksgiving. What comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving? —Huge Thanksgiving turkey dinners with your family? —Pumpkin pie? —Watching football? —Beginning to prepare for Christmas? —Maybe even taking some time to reflect on all that you have been blessed with in the past year, and telling God thank you?

Usually, if we think along these lines at all, we think of Thanksgiving as just giving our thanks—being grateful. But I’d like to challenge you this Thanksgiving to go a little deeper and consider that Thanksgiving is not just a time to give thanks, but a time to be thankful and to give.

Consider this verse from this week’s reading:

SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 23:22

22 “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.” (Lev. 23:22 NIV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

This verse speaks of a principle that is repeated often in the Bible—the principle of providing for those in need. This passage particularly admonishes us to leave some of our abundance for the use of others who may need it.

I hope the Lord has blessed you, and I hope you have much to be thankful for. But I also hope that you will lay hold of this principle that as you have been blessed, you in turn will be a blessing to others.

Let me make three quick points about this principle:

First, the principle of providing for those in need was to be a way of life for the Hebrew people. We, likewise should consider it a way of life today; not as a burdensome obligation, but as a moral and ethical responsibility that we just do.

Secondly, the giving or leaving of provisions for the use of the poor or the traveler or the foreigner, was to be done ungrudgingly and with an attitude that was not judgmental toward the recipients.

And, finally, this principle was meant to be practiced by all—the poor as well as the rich. Some of us are just so blessed that we can share in abundance. But even if you are one who is poor and terribly downtrodden, there will always be something that you yet can give or share with others.

PRAYER:

Merciful Lord, thank you for your blessings to us. We do offer you our sincere thankfulness. But Lord, help us to not only be giving our thanks to You with our words, but to show You our thankfulness by sharing with others of the fruits you have blessed us with. We love and worship You, most gracious Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen. –AP

The Voice of God Towards Me

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 47 Reading: Numbers 17-18, Psalm 29, Mark 4

Topic: God’s Power and Love

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 29

1 Give unto the LORD , O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever.
11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

The 29th Psalm is another psalm of David. One clear observation is David’s redundant use of the phrase, “The voice of the LORD.” What is interesting to note is that each mention of the Lord’s voice is a demonstration of action and power by the Lord. The expression here is the recognition that when God speaks powerful things happen. When God gives voice to something it is an expression of His will, and His will is more powerful and overcomes any other force period! Just as in the beginning when God spoke, creation happened. Genesis 1 repeatedly states, “And God said… And it was so.”

David poetically states, “God is all powerful and all authoritative (v. 4). His power can reduce the mighty cedars to mere splinters (v. 5). His power can cause the earth to quake (v. 8). He can quench the fiery eruptions right from the midst of them (v. 7). His power brings life (v. 9). And His power is eternal (v. 10). By His voice—His will—His power—He can bring peace to his own children at any time and in the midst of any situation (v. 11).

APPLICATION:

This psalm is a wonderful expression of how much we should be able to trust the Lord through anything. No matter what other powerful forces may seem to come against us, He can give us strength and bring us peace right in the midst of it (v. 11). And we can join with David in giving Him glory and worship (vv. 1-2).

PRAYER:

Almighty God, I worship You. You are so mighty and I am so small; yet Your love for me offers Your blessing and peace to me even in the midst of raging forces that shake my world and would utterly destroy me if not for Your voice of favor and protection over me. May I ever be worthy of Your voice speaking in my favor.

Through Jesus Christ and for Your glory. Amen. -AP

What Will Jesus Do? What Is Jesus’ Will?

2011-11-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 46 Reading: Numbers 12-13, Psalm 90, Mark 2

Topic: God’s will

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:21-2:11 (a few excerpts follow):

21…immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught...

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him…

29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons.

35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed…

39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed”…

2:1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

OBSERVATION:

Before moving on to Mark chapter 2 in this week’s reading, I’d like to look at the rest of chapter 1 taken together with chapter 2, verses 1-12. In reading this portion of scripture we can learn much by asking What will Jesus do? When we observe what Jesus does, it will help us answer the question, What is Jesus’ will?

Then, I must ask myself: What is my resolve to do the will of Jesus and to see the will of Jesus done in and around my life?

Note what Jesus does:

- He prays (1:35)

- He preaches and teaches (1:21, 38, 39, 2:2)

- He heals (1:30, 31, 34, 41, 2:9-11)

(Particularly notice how verses 40-45 in chapter 1 indicate Jesus’ willingness to heal. He says, “I am willing.” It IS Jesus will to heal).

- He casts out demons (1:32-34, 39)

- He forgives sins (2:5)

APPLICATION:

What is our resolve to see Jesus’ will done in and around us? The story of the four friends lowering their paralyzed buddy down to Jesus speaks to us about the matter of resolve.

What obstacles prevent us from getting to Jesus? Sin, Ignorance, Disobedience, Blockades?

How may we overcome these obstacles?

1. Repent and receive forgiveness of sins.

2. Hear and receive the truth.

3. Trust and obey.

4. Refuse to be blocked from Jesus.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for revealing so clearly Your will, and the model I am to follow. Grant to me the strength to overcome all obstacles that would prevent me from receiving every touch it is Your will that I receive. By Your Holy Spirit may I be empowered to minister to those in need in Your name. Amen. -AP

Who Needs the Holy Spirit?

2011-10-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 45 Reading: Numbers 10-11, Psalm 27, Mark 1

Topic: Power for Ministry

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:1-11 (particularly verses 9-11)

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This is an amazing scene! When Jesus came up from under the Jordan River waters of baptism, the Holy Spirit immediately descended upon Him, “like a dove.” It is important for us to recognize that while Jesus was and is the Son of God (He is God Himself come in human form, and we know that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all one God); but He came to minister and operate as a man. So, as a man Jesus needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry, and that is what is given to Him here.

The dove here not only suggests gentleness and purity, but doves were also used as sacrificial offerings. This whole magnificent scene presents a picture of the character and manner of Jesus’ redemptive ministry. And the whole thing is immediately confirmed and sealed by the supernatural utterance from the Father in heaven…

11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Note the inner bond between “the Son of God” (v.1) and the Father. The heavenly voice speaks the combined words of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. In Psalm 2:7 God addresses the anointed King as His Son…

7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (Psalm 2:7 NIV)

In Isaiah 42:1, God addresses His Servant in whom He delights and upon whom He has placed His Spirit…

1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1 NIV)

When you put all these together you can see a picture showing that the Son of God will perform the ministry of the Servant of God by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

So the earthly ministry of the Son of God who has come to live and minister as a human being is here inaugurated by the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon Him, and is confirmed by the voice of God the Father.

APPLICATION:

As a man, Jesus needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in order to minister with the power and authority He demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry. How much more then must I realize that I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to have effective ministry?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the privilege of serving You. You are the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). Thank You for baptizing me. I pray that You will fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit daily, that I may be an effective minister and servant to the building of Your Kingdom. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Amen. -AP

Fresh Directives

2011-10-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 44 Reading: 1 Samuel 15-16, 1 Chronicles 5, Matthew 1

Topic: Obedience

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 15:22

22 So Samuel said:
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This verse asks and answers a question.

Question:
What does God take more delight in, sacrifices offered to Him or obedience to what He tells us to do?

Answer:
Obedience

APPLICATION:

Why did the Israelites offer sacrifices? Because that’s what God directed them to do. But are we to live constantly in what God has directed us to do in the past, or in what He is directing us to do today?

For the Israelites it wasn’t that offering sacrifices was wrong, it was that they allowed it to take precedence over hearing the voice of the Lord now. How much of what we do in church today is done because that’s the way we’ve always done it? Yet, as good as those procedures may be, it is infinitely more important to hear from and obey God today.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for Your directives – old and new. Help Your word to always be fresh and new; and help me to obey and live in that word today.

Through Christ. Amen. -AP

How Much Wealth Does It Take?

2011-10-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 43 Reading: Judges 9-10, Psalm 49, 1 Corinthians 16

Topic: Redemption

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 49:6-8, 15

6 Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of their souls is costly… (Psa 49:6-8 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

What is the cost for redemption? How much wealth would it take to pay for it? The psalmist here observes the truth that, “the redemption of souls… is costly.” The NIV Bible states it this way, “no payment is ever enough.” All people, rich or poor, will one day die and their bodies decay. Whatever wealth one accumulates will be left behind to others. But though our bodies will perish and our wealth cannot purchase redemption for our souls, the psalmist yet sees hope for redemption:

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah (Psa 49:15 NKJV)

Our redemption is totally out of our control. No amount of human ability, or wealth, or power will redeem us or our fellow human beings. Redemption can only come from God and by His grace.

APPLICATION:

If I were a wealthy man, I can think of many worthwhile things I could do with that wealth (and yes, many selfish pursuits as well). But if I had unlimited financial resources I could become the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. I would receive the accolades of people everywhere (Psa 49:18). Yet all of that wealth, or ability, or wisdom, or knowledge, or good intentions, or sincerity, or love… (you can insert anything in the place of “wealth”) …none of that can redeem me or anyone else. My eternal redemption and everyone else’s is completely out of my hands. Only Jesus Christ is able to purchase redemption. Only He is able to deliver from death unto eternal life.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for Your love that exceeds all else—that provides what I can never provide.

In worship and thanksgiving. Amen. -AP

Culture Shift

2011-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 42 Reading: Joshua 18-20, 1 Corinthians 9

Topic: Evangelism

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:5 & 12

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Cor 9:19-22 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This is an interesting passage of scripture that describes the Apostle Paul’s philosophy of ministry. He says that when ministering among Jews he followed their Law and customs. When ministering among those of other cultures, he would follow their customs. By complying with the customs of others—by making himself “a servant to all” (v. 19)—it was his desire to win more people for Christ (v. 19). “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (v. 22).

An initial observation might be to think Paul lacked conviction. How could he be all things to all people? How could he live one way in one culture and live differently in another culture? Where’s the conviction of belief in a way of life and behavior? Aren’t some things right and some things wrong? The parenthetical note in verse 21 should put to rest any confusion as to Paul’s convictions. He explains that he is not dissing the law of God, rather embracing the law toward Christ who died to save men and women of all tribes, tongues, nations and cultures.

APPLICATION:

Christ’s Church today often struggles with these concepts. How do we balance the concept of standing up for right behavior (morality) and shunning wrong behavior (immorality), with the concept of extending Christlike love, acceptance and forgiveness to all people regardless of their behavior?

Let me pose a scenario for any Christians reading this blog to consider: Suppose God called you to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a far away culture of people. In this culture the normal courting process involves boys and girls pairing off when they come of age and engaging in sexual intercourse. When they find someone with whom they feel compatible they make a home together. Finally, after living together for a considerable period of time and discovering that they want to maintain an exclusive relationship, their marriage is solemnized by a ceremony conducted by one of the authorities of their people. In order to bring the gospel to these people how important would it be to convince them to change the ways of their culture in regard to premarital sex? Could these people be saved and become mature, convinced and convincing followers of Jesus Christ without changing this aspect of their culture? Now realize that this is not a description of a far away culture, but of today’s post modern American culture.

How do we adapt to a changing culture that we “might win the more” (v. 19), without compromising the Gospel of Christ?

I pose the question but I'm not sure I have a precise answer; however, I do have an opinion. I think it is important for us to separate what is truly the biblical gospel of Christ from the traditional mindset of culture. How a society accepts or determines the courting process is not as important as the fact that they need to accept Christ. But we also need to recognize the difference between what is culture and what is sinful behavior. In regard the scenario I gave, God's Word does have something to say about sexual relations outside of marriage, but other than that, how people court from one culture to another may be quite different. I say lead them to Christ and let the Holy Spirit deal with conviction of sin.

I invite the thoughts of others who may read this journal entry.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for loving and saving an unworthy sinner such as myself. It is my desire to help lead many others to gain a personal relationship with You too. Help me to minister in the same way as Christ, who sought fellowship with all people, yet without sin.

Through Christ and for God’s glory. Amen. -AP

Knowing by the Spirit

2011-10-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 41 Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34, 1 Corinthians 2

Topic: Teaching/Preaching

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:5 & 12

5 …your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Cor 2:5 NKJV)

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Cor 2:12 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

Some things may only be discerned and known spiritually. The Apostle Paul, in this chapter of 1 Corinthians, declares that his teaching and preaching were not derived from, “human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (v. 4). Paul was indeed an intellectual man and highly educated. However, he realized that his intellect and studies were less important than having the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit propelling his preaching and teaching. It was more important to hear and be led by the Holy Spirit than to rely upon his own humanly acquired wisdom.

APPLICATION:

The application for any who would serve the Lord as a preacher or teacher is that they certainly must study and develop the mental and speaking gifts God has given them. But woe to you if you rely only on those gifts and do not grow and learn and speak under the Holy Spirit’s anointing and direction.

PRAYER:

Lord, grant unto me the fullness of Your Spirit. As I study, may my intellect be sharpened and my knowledge increased. May my studies be guided and enlightened by Your Spirit. I realize that of greater importance than my intellectual development is my spiritual development. May spiritual discernment and wisdom from You always accompany my teaching and preaching, that those who hear may also receive more than the impartation of knowledge, but spiritually receive of Your love, power and wisdom.

Through Christ. Amen. -AP

Antithesis of Living Water

2011-09-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 40 Reading: Revelation 15-18

Topic: Judgment

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 16:3-4

3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

OBSERVATION:

When I pastored a church in West Texas, the name we gave our church was “Living Water.” The symbol of water has rich spiritual meaning, and in West Texas water takes on an additional significance. Drought is the norm for the high plains surrounding Brownfield, Texas. The people who live there understand the importance of water more than most. Water is necessary for life, which is why it is such a rich spiritual symbol. Jesus provides us with “Living Water”—that is, eternal life.

These verses in Revelation are describing the antithesis of Living Water. I learned long ago as a school boy that the closest thing in nature to blood is sea water. It contains all the minerals of life yet one cannot survive drinking it. We must have fresh water. God’s judgment is shown in these verses to not only render fresh water useless, it also takes the life out of the sea as well. It isn’t just turned to blood, it is turned to lifeless, “dead” blood (v. 3). It is the picture of existence without Christ.

APPLICATION:

The application is clear. In order to survive God’s judgment, we must partake of the Living Water—we must accept and receive Jesus Christ. To deny Christ is to cut off one’s self from the source of life. In the high plains people have learned to do with scarce water, but even West Texans could not survive with no water.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to take the Living Water to as many as I can; that, when all else is drought, they will yet have the Living Water within them.

Through Christ. Amen. -AP

Beyond My Imaginings

2011-09-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 39 Reading: Revelation 1-4

Topic: The Eternal God

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1:8, 4:11

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

11 “ You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

OBSERVATION:

The phrase, “who is and who was and who is to come,” is repeated often in the opening chapters of Revelation. It is a description applied to the triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). It is a way of saying God is eternal—He is past, present and future. He transcends time as we know it. Furthermore, He is the creator and sustainer of all things,

“For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” He is existence—without Him nothing exists.

Here’s a philosophical question for you: Is there such a thing as non-existence? The great philosopher Rene Descartes pondered long and hard over the subject of existence, finally concluding, “I think, therefore I am.” Descartes reasoned that the very fact that he was thinking about it proved his own existence. However, does that mean that if one ceases to think they cease to exist? I have had conversations with people who do not believe in God. They will argue that life as we know it is entirely biological. All that we think we are—our life, our memories, our personality—is contained within our biological brains. Therefore, they reason, when the brain dies, we cease to exist.

I find such reasoning to be very egocentric. It makes the individual the creator. It says that all that exists is only in my mind and that beyond my own ability to imagine it, is nothing. It reasons that God is merely a construct of your mind since nothing exists, including the idea of God, outside your own mind.

APPLICATION:

John had a revelation of reality beyond himself. John had encountered God in the flesh. He had walked with and known Jesus physically and personally. Now, in Revelation, he is not only encountering the broader reality and existence of God, but of his own existence beyond the confines of an earthly physical body. God is not limited to our reasoning, He is beyond our reasoning! Oh how confined we really are if we limit all reality to be within our own brain. Knowing that there is much more beyond our own ability to imagine or think it, is the essence of faith—knowing that there are some things that we cannot explain or understand that are none-the-less real—in fact even more real than my limited abilities to wrap my puny brain around.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the revelation you gave to John. Thank You Lord for the revelation You have given to me. Thank You Lord for revealing Yourself to all who will but recognize their own limitations and simply believe. You are beyond my ability to explain, yet You are more real to me than any of my imaginings. That makes me join with those before Your throne worshipping and saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Amen! -AP

Honest to God

2011-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 38 Reading: James 1-5

Topic: Honesty

SCRIPTURE: James 5:12

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. (James 5:12 NKJV).

OBSERVATION:

James here is repeating a teaching of Jesus (see Matt. 5:33-37) that addresses the fundamental core of honesty and character. The admonition to let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” is simple enough to understand. It simply means to live your life with such honesty and character that people will always be able to trust the truthfulness of the words you speak. But what is the point about not swearing oaths?

How often have you heard someone emphasize the truthfulness of a statement by saying something like, “As God is my witness” or “Honest to God”? In a court of law witnesses place their hand on a Bible and swear to, “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Why does James (and Jesus) admonish us not to swear oaths? The admonition here should not be seen as an injunction against taking a required oath in court, but rather a command to keep our lives free from the need for elaborate oaths and schemes to assure others that we are indeed telling the truth. He is pointing out that, if you are a person who has an honest character, you will not need to swear or promise in order to make others believe you. Your character will be your oath.

APPLICATION:

At the heart of honesty is the matter of truthfulness, and this is a topic which is a struggle for all of us. In the motion picture Liar Liar, actor Jim Carey plays the part of an attorney who, because of a wish his son makes, is unable to tell a lie. The story takes viewers through a day in the life of this hapless lawyer who must always, and in every circumstance, tell the unequivocal truth. The results are hilarious and strikingly poignant. If we are truthful, we will admit that not lying can be a problem. Whether people describe them as little white lies, fibs or half truths, their misleading or deceptive statements are not entirely honest. How often do we find ourselves exaggerating or stretching the truth about something to make ourselves look better? It may not be that we even intend to be untruthful, but before we know it we are embellishing a story. During the last presidential campaign, then Senator Hillary Clinton and then Senator Joe Biden out on the campaign trail were criticized for embellishing stories about being shot at in war zones—stories that were proven to be less dramatic than stated. Many of us have fallen victim to some degree of dishonesty even if it was just complimenting someone when we didn’t really mean it or keeping silent when we should have told the truth.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the reminder to watch the truthfulness of the things I say. May my “yes” be “yes” and my “no” be “no” – That is, may I be known as a man of honesty and good character; that I may represent You well in the earth.

Through Christ Jesus. Amen. -AP

Sacrifice of Love or Hatred?

2011-09-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 37 Reading: Numbers 24-27, 1 Corinthians 13

Topic: Love

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 13:3

Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter in the Bible, offers the most beautiful description of the virtues of true love—God’s kind of love—the kind of love people should demonstrate toward each other; love that always seeks the best for others and never evil.

In my reading today, verse 3 particularly drew my attention. What a message to any who, under the excuse of religion, would be driven by hatred and destruction. To any terrorist who believes that the sacrifice of their own body to the fires of suicide bombing will bring them seventy virgins and eternal rewards in paradise, God gives this message: If you don’t have love, you won’t gain anything! Compare these self-sacrifices to the sacrifice of Christ driven only and entirely by love.

APPLICATION:

Love does not seek the harm or destruction of others. That is true whether the people happen to be Arab Muslims or American Christians. Does this mean that all war is wrong? This is a difficult question to ponder. Perhaps we should consider the question of whether the driving force is hatred for enemies or protection of ourselves and others from evil enemies. Are we driven by hatred or love? And that is ultimately a question to be answered by individual hearts rather than nations. Food for thought.

PRAYER:

Lord, May I ever be driven by love—Your kind of love.

Through Christ. Amen. -AP

The Deceitfulness of Sin

2011-08-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 36 Reading: Philemon; Heb. 1-4

Topic: Deceitfulness of Sin

SCRIPTURE: Heb. 3:12-15; 4:1

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

OBSERVATION:

This passage in context is drawing a comparison to the Old Testament lessons learned by the children of Israel who rebelled against God in the wilderness and consequently were denied entrance into the Promised Land. This is an admonition to remain steadfast in faith in Christ Jesus and a warning against allowing our hearts to become, “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Believers in Jesus Christ have the promise of God’s rest (v. 18). Whether this is taken to be the place of eternal rest and peace in heaven, or the ability to experience His peace and rest on earth this side of heaven, sin threatens to block our access to that place.

APPLICATION:

I am intrigued by the phrase, “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” in verse 13. Everyone, I’m sure, desires to be in a place of rest or contentment with who they are and how they are living. Likewise, no one would consciously and willfully plunge themselves into a place of discomfort or despair. It is the “deceitfulness” of sin that leads people to become rebellious to God’s truth and hardened against following His ways. The deceitfulness of sin tells people that however they want to live is okay; they don’t need to follow the teachings of an antiquated book or believe in a mythical God. Deceitfulness convinces people that sin is not really sin, therefore there is no need to repent since there is no sin. And don’t you dare try to tell them otherwise! Their hardened hearts will not hear of it. As the rebellious followers of Moses, they are actually denying themselves access to a place of true rest.

So, how are we to respond to this? We are called to, “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today.’” The day is not over, time is not up, hope is still alive… “Today, if you will hear His voice…” (3:15) “a promise remains of entering His rest” (4:1).

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the peace and rest You give me, both today and for eternity. Keep my heart pliable and soft that I not become hardened to Your paths. Give me Your heart of compassion for others. Soften hardened hearts by Your Holy Spirit and lead us according to Your benevolent will. Amen. -AP

Proclaiming the Truth to All

2011-08-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 35 Reading: Numbers 8-9, Acts 28

Topic: Evangelism

SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:23-27

23 So when they had appointed him (Paul) a day, many (Jews) came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,

‘ Go to this people and say:

“ Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”’ (Acts 28:23-27 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

At this juncture of Paul’s life and ministry he is being held as a prisoner while awaiting his day in Rome and his appeal to Caesar. The passage to Rome was a long and fateful voyage. Paul and the company of people traveling with him suffered much hardship, adventure and shipwreck before finally reaching Rome. Yet Paul, ever vigilant to his calling, never stopped teaching, preaching and persuading people to believe in Jesus. Even after realizing his primary ministry was not to the Jews but to the Gentiles, he continually found himself in situations where he was proclaiming Christ to the Jews. This was the case as we come to Acts 28:23 — Paul, now in Rome awaiting the day appointed for his hearing, is visited by many Jewish people to whom he proclaimed what he always did, the Gospel of Christ. How did they respond? Verse 24 tells us something very interesting; “some were persuaded” and “some disbelieved.” Some who heard the truth fell into the category of those spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. Hearing, they heard but did not understand. Seeing, they saw but did not perceive. They saw as with closed eyes and heard as though hard of hearing.

APPLICATION:

As Christians today with a clear calling to go and share the Gospel of Christ both near and far, we will experience the same results Paul did. Some just will not believe. But may our joy be derived and our diligence be driven by the other truth in this passage—SOME WILL BE PERSUADED!

PRAYER:

Lord, I pray for those with blocked vision and stopped up hearing. May their spiritual eyes and ears be healed. And I thank You for those who hear with understanding and who see with clear perception. May I be obedient to proclaim Your truth to all without discrimination, and trust You for the results.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. -AP

Corrupt Politicians & Slick Lawyers

2011-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 34 Reading: Numbers 1-2, Acts 24

Topic: Human Nature

SCRIPTURE: Acts 24

A full reading of Acts 24 reveals the following cast of characters in a real life courtroom drama:

Ananias – High Priest (Corrupt Politician)
Felix – Governor/Judge (Corrupt Politician)
Tertullus – Orator (Slick Lawyer)
Lysias – Military Commander (Conscientious Soldier)
Paul – The Accused (Courageous Preacher)

OBSERVATION:

In reading Acts 24, it strikes me that the character of people—of societies—has not changed much over the centuries. In Paul’s day, as in ours, they had corrupt politicians and slick lawyers. Aside from Paul, the noblest character in this chapter seems to be Lysias—a soldier trying to do his duty rightly. Ananias was a hardened religious ruler who would not have his authority or his theology challenged. Felix was in it for the money; he wanted Paul to pay him bribe money (v. 26). Tertullus was a slick lawyer who would probably argue for whoever paid him the most.

APPLICATION:

The other thing that strikes me in reading Acts 24, is that every character mentioned is loved by God. Even those who argue and resist the hardest against the Way need to be reached for Jesus.

PRAYER:

Lord, may even those who resist You somehow be changed.
Through Christ. Amen. –AP

How Will You Be Remembered?

2011-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 33 Reading: Leviticus 25, Psalm 25-26, Acts 22

Topic: God’s Mercy

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 25:7

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. (Psalm 25:7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

How do you want to be remembered? Would you like to be remembered for all of your faults? Would you like to be remembered for all of the mistakes you have made, for all your failures, for your shortcomings? King David is pleading with the Lord, “Please don’t remember my sins and transgressions. You are the all knowing God, but please do not remember me according to Your omniscience—remember me according to Your mercy.”

David recognized that if he were to be judged according to his deeds—if he were remembered by God according to his faulty and sinful humanity, he would by all means be lost. David’s hope, mankind’s hope, my hope is only in God’s mercy.

APPLICATION:

David must have been speaking prophetically because that’s exactly what God did for us through Jesus. God’s love for us found a way for us to be seen—to be remembered—according to His mercy.

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:4,5,8 NIV)

Wow! God sees you and me through Jesus. According to His mercy through Christ, He remembers me.

PRAYER:

Father God, thank You for Your great love and mercy.
In Christ. Amen. -AP

Hearing, Knowing, Obeying

2011-07-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 32 Reading: Leviticus 20-22, Acts 20

Topic: Dedication

SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:22-24

22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:22-24 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

Paul’s dedication to the mission given to him by the Lord is incredible. Knowing that the Jews in Jerusalem had sought to kill him, he did not hesitate to return there at the Lord’s leading. Knowing that the mission he was called to would lead to “prison and hardships” ahead, he did not hesitate to obey.

Equally impressive is his willing ear attuned to the Holy Spirit. There is no hint that Paul had to go to extraordinary measures or strain to hear the leading of the Spirit. There is no doubting or wondering if he heard correctly. He did not have to puzzle over what the Lord really meant.

Paul walked with the Lord so closely that he knew and heard the voice of the Lord clearly without a doubt. His dedication to the Lord was so complete that his personal well being was not a concern. His only compulsion was to complete the mission given to him to share the gospel of Christ. His allegiance to the Lord was uncluttered by anything else.

APPLICATION:

Wow, what an example for Christian leaders today to aspire to! Few people have a relationship with the Lord that close. Yet, passages like this serve to encourage us that it is possible have such a walk with the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, I struggle sometimes to hear Your voice. I often ponder and labor over trying to understand clearly Your direction for me. May my daily path draw me ever closer to You, and may I come to discern Your will with clarity and without hesitation.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. -AP

Honesty and Hope

2011-07-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 31 Reading: Leviticus 18-19, Psalm 13, Acts 19

Topic: Overcoming Despair

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 13

1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

(Psalm 13 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This Psalm of David divides into three sections.

In verses 1-2 David questions the Lord. Everything is written in the form of a question, but the questions express his lament, his doubts, his impatience, and his despair.

In verses 3-4 David appeals to the Lord, but his appeal is a continuation of his lament. David seems depressed. He feels defeated, or nearly so. His cry for enlightenment sounds like the last ditch wish of a hopeless man who is at the end of his rope.

In verses 5-6 the tone shifts so abruptly it’s like observing the mood swing of a manic depressive. Is this the same guy? David’s expressions of trust, joy and worshipful singing are a sharp change from the rest of the psalm.

APPLICATION:

In this short psalm, what seems like a dichotomy of expression, is really a picture honest human beings can relate to. How often do we come to situations in life that seem to bring us to our wits end? The pattern given to us in this psalm is one of honesty and hope. David is honest before the Lord about how he feels and what he is going through. We can learn here that it is alright—indeed it is needful and desirable—to be perfectly honest with ourselves and the Lord. He knows how you’re feeling anyway, so why not just spill out exactly and expressively what’s going on inside of you.

But anxiety and woefulness cannot be wallowed in with no hope. As healthy as it is to honestly spill your guts, living in that quagmire will not be. Thank God for verses 5-6! David’s cry for enlightenment in verse 3 is answered in verses 5 & 6. Our loving and merciful God will never leave us without hope! THERE IS NO SITUATION IN LIFE THAT YOU CAN GO THROUGH, as dark and evil and painful as it may be, THAT IS BEYOND THE REACH OF GOD to restore joy, peace and meaning. You, as David, can trust in Him through it all.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for this encouragement from Your Word. May I always and in every situation be able to say, “I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I know that You have dealt bountifully with me; therefore my heart is not deprived of my song of worship and praise to You.

Through the presence of Christ always within me. Amen. -AP

The KNOWN God

2011-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 30 Reading: Leviticus 13-14, Acts 17

Topic: Evangelism

SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:22-23

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.

(Acts 17:22-23 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This passage finds the Apostle Paul in Greece. Athens was the world center of intellectualism and philosophical thought; and here, the intellectually astute Paul demonstrates an important lesson in evangelism: Adapt the message to the culture you are trying to reach.

Paul recognized at least two important things about the Greeks in Athens. First, they were a thoughtful people who were not intimidated by new ideas. They enjoyed debating philosophy and were willing to have their minds opened to something new and different. Secondly, they were a very religious people. Greek mythology provided the means by which they could explain much of the unknown. Their culture was formed by religiously explaining things by the gods. If there was something in nature or human relations they couldn’t understand, they would make up a new god to explain it. They had a god for virtually everything; and if that wasn’t enough, they even erected an idol to the “unknown god” just in case.

Paul astutely used these aspects of their own culture to tailor his message of the gospel of Christ: “Let me tell you about this god whose name you do not know. He is not just another god, He is the God… He does not have to remain unknown, but can be known to you.”

APPLICATION:

When we set about to carry on with the commission to go into all the world and share the Gospel—to take the message of the love of God and salvation through His Son to our fellow men and women either next door or to other lands, we will be wise to frame our message in cultural terms people will understand and relate to. But the most important bit of understanding we gain from Paul’s experience in Athens is not just a tactical technique. You see, it isn’t that we learn the “tactic” of adapting the message to the culture, it is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ IS adaptable to any culture.

PRAYER:

Lord, give me the wisdom by Your Holy Spirit to proclaim Your Gospel well, that You may become “known” to all.
In Jesus’ name. Amen. -AP

Handling Contention in the Family

2011-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 29 Reading: Leviticus 7-9, Acts 15

Topic: Disputing

SCRIPTURE: Acts 15 – particularly verses 1-2, 6-11, 22-29, 36-41 – highlighting verses 2,7,39

1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. (Acts 15:1-2 NKJV emphasis mine)

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:6-11 NKJV emphasis mine)

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this, letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell. (Acts 15:22-29 NKJV)

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (Acts 15:36-41 NKJV emphasis mine)

OBSERVATION:

Acts 15 is filled with a lot of dispute and contention. Only this time the quarreling is within Christ’s Church between believers (see the emphasized verses above). After reading of the conflicts encountered by Paul in Acts 14 (last week’s reading), we can make the obvious observation that these quarrels ended much better (no one was stoned). In fact, we can see that differences of opinion, which are bound to occur among human beings even if they are saved, can be handled in a civil manner when the parties sincerely seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Jerusalem decree written out in the letter to be delivered to the Gentiles, acknowledges this: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us…”

APPLICATION:

When we see differences of opinion, it is natural to think someone is right and someone is wrong in the matter. But the lesson we should be learning has nothing to do with assigning blame or patting someone’s back. Disagreements are inevitable and the act of sincere debate is not wrong, but can indeed be helpful toward reaching greater understanding. Indeed, we see the Lord using the honest disputing in Acts 15 to bring about important advancements to the building His kingdom. Gentiles are embraced as brothers and sisters in the faith rather than disenfranchised. Even the dispute between Paul and Barnabas had a good result—two missions teams sent out instead of just one.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I not shun disputes, but rather see them as opportunities to find guidance from Your Holy Spirit.
For the sake of Christ and His Church. Amen. -AP

Getting Stoned for Jesus

2011-07-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 28 Reading: Leviticus 4-6, Acts 14

Topic: Courage Under Fire

SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:19-20

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. (Acts 14:19-20 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

I’ve known people who have been stoned, especially back in the 60’s—but that’s another story altogether. :o)
The Apostle Paul got stoned with real stones here in Acts 14. I’m always amazed when I read in God’s Word about the persecution the early Christians endured. Paul especially endured multiple attacks over his lifetime of dedication to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Verse 19 tells of another instance when the evil opposition to Christ attacked; this time with murderous vengeance. Paul was viciously attacked by an angry mob. Paul’s head and body became the strike zone at which each one pitched their hardest fast balls. Only these fastballs were likely baseball sized stones—hard and jagged. Paul was bloodied, bruised, swollen and unconscious. He looked dead. Indeed, he may very well have been dead. That’s what the mob believed as they dragged his body outside the city limits and tossed him aside without dignity like refuse not even worthy of burial.

APPLICATION:

I wonder, if I were so attacked, would I have the persistence of Paul to get back up and return to the task of standing up for Christ? Thank God Christians don’t often face that level of physical attack in America today. Most Christians, however, cannot be unaware that animosity against us has been starkly on the rise in recent years. In the face of mounting ill-will do we shrink in our convictions to share our faith with the world? Will we (will I) have the fortitude and courage to lovingly stand up for Jesus against all opposition? Will we (will I) resist the urge to strike back rather than to love our enemies? I submit that we (that I) must! I submit that it is our (my) mission to behave as Jesus would behave, with courageous determination and love.

PRAYER:

Lord, when I am weak, You are strong. By Your Spirit may I be endowed with the necessary measure of courage, persistence and love in the face of mounting opposition.

For Your sake and to the building of Your kingdom. Amen. -AP

Turning Point

2011-06-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 27 Reading: Leviticus 1-3, Acts 13

Topic: God’s Sovereignty

SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:42-46

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:42-46 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

I love these moments that signal an historical shift—a seminal moment recorded in time that ushers in a momentous change in history that actually affects who and where I am as well as millions of other people through the ages since. Verse 46 signals the beginning of the shift of the apostle Paul’s ministry from the Jews to the Gentiles. In verse 42 we see that non-Jewish people (Gentiles) were being drawn to the gospel message of Christ. In verse 43, we see Paul and Barnabas are still primarily focused on persuading Jewish people that Jesus was and is their Messiah. Verses 44 & 45 record a very sad event, certainly prompted by the forces of darkness. The evil spirit of envy rears its ugly head among some of the Jews so susceptible to its influence. But, as so often occurs, what Satan intends for evil, God turns around for good. Verse 45 is the catalyst Sovereign God uses to guide Paul and Barnabas in a new direction He had already ordained. Who knows where many a Gentile like me would be today if Paul and Barnabas had not been guided to the decision to say, “behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (v. 46).

APPLICATION:

Every time evil seems to win we would do well to look for and be open to the good that God may raise up as a result. Every time evil strikes a hard blow against a believer, may he or she or they be reminded to hope rather than be swallowed by despair. Through every strike of the enemy may we trust that our Sovereign God is still in control.

PRAYER:

Lord, fill my heart and soul with unshakable trust in You and Your goodness over and above any and every situation.

In the name of Jesus the Messiah I pray. Amen. -AP

Prayer Makes a Difference

2011-06-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 26 Reading: Exodus 39-40, Psalm 15, Acts 12

Topic: Prayer

SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:1-19 (particularly v. 5)

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. (Acts 12:5 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

The most important word in this verse is the little conjunction, “but.” Peter was kept in prison, BUT the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5 NIV emphasis mine)

It says, they were “earnestly praying” in the NIV translation. In the NKJV the idea is expressed that they were in “constant prayer.” The original Greek word in this text actually carries both connotations, meaning—intently, fervently, without ceasing.

The point here is that they didn’t just have Peter added to their prayer chain—adding his name to the prayer list. (And there is nothing wrong with prayer chains and prayer lists). But the emphasis here is that the entire Jerusalem church went to prayer in earnest—praying with intensity that God would deliver Peter out of the hands of Herod, who was determined to put him to death just as he had put James to death. (See verse 2).

APPLICATION:

Prayer makes a difference! As you read this passage (Acts 12), can’t you almost feel the powers of darkness behind this? Can’t you sense the presence of evil spirits pressing and manipulating and prodding these attacks against the Christian Church and their leaders?

We are living in a day today of spiritual warfare too. Anything we’re going to try to do for God, the enemy is going to try to hinder us—going to try to discourage us—going to try to keep us from sincere prayer. But, clearly understand that when we come to God in prayer in the name of Jesus, prayer accomplishes things—prayer makes a difference!

PRAYER:

Lord, it is so easy to become distracted from communion with You it seems. Because the spiritual realm is invisible to my physical sight, it is easy to feel my prayers are impotent. Thank You that Your Word shows me that my prayers and other believers’ prayers make a difference. Renew in me and in Your Church an earnestness in prayer in these difficult days.

In the powerful, difference making name of Jesus. Amen. -AP

Bigotry Exposed

2011-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 25 Reading: Exodus 37-38, Psalm 19, Acts 11

Topic: God’s Love

SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:34-35

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Acts 11:18 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

Bigotry is such a product of ignorance and culture. I love this verse because it’s like – “Bing,” the light bulb just came on for the Jewish believers. When they were presented with the evidence that Gentiles had believed in Jesus and had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it was like, “Wow, God loves other people besides just us!” Which of course, as we pointed out in last week’s devotion, was always the case. But because of their ignorance and cultural mindset, such a concept never occurred to them. The good part of this verse is that they were willing to be enlightened and to have their thinking changed. Thank God!

APPLICATION:

The real bigots in the world are those who refuse to be changed—who wallow in their ignorance—who will close their eyes and cover their ears to any new revelation.

PRAYER:

May people see and hear YOUR heart Lord!
Through Christ. Amen. -AP

God's Chosen

2011-06-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 24 Reading: Exodus 35-36, Acts 10

Topic: Overcoming Prejudice

SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:34-35

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (Acts 10:34-35 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

Peter received a critically illuminating truth from God, “God shows no partiality… whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” Think about what must have been going on in Peter’s mind. He may have been thinking, “But God, aren’t we Hebrews Your chosen people? Doesn’t that mean we’re better? Aren’t we supposed to stay separated from other peoples because they are unclean and inferior to us? What’s going on God?” But God’s answer was clear, “What God has cleansed you must not call common” (v. 15). The profound truth revealed to Peter and to us, is that what God was revealing was not new. God was not suddenly changing the rules. This was always true of God’s heart for all mankind—it is true today.

APPLICATION:

What we discover from this passage is that God’s chosen people are “whoever fears Him and works righteousness” (v. 35)—that is, anyone and everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13).

Christians are susceptible to falling into the same error as the Jews in Peter’s day. We dare not begin to think of ourselves as better, just blessed to be saved by His grace. Yes, we are to separate ourselves in the sense that, as we fear Him, we strive to live apart from the sinful weaknesses we have now been forgiven of, and strive to live righteously before Him (v. 35). But, contrary to some theological schools of thought, I do not believe that God chooses some people and rejects others. His choice is for all mankind to accept and receive Him. He is, “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

PRAYER:

Lord, as I seek to serve You, may I not live separate from people lost in sin, but rather live separate from the sinful weaknesses that once separated me from You. By Your grace and with Your help, may I accept all people whom You love, and help them to see that you have chosen them too.

Through Christ Jesus the Savior. Amen. -AP

Resisting the Holy Spirit

2011-05-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 23 Reading: Exodus 28-29, Acts 7

Topic: Hearing God

SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:2-4

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

The problem of “resisting” the Holy Spirit is a big one. The Jewish leaders whom Stephen was addressing in this passage were so steeped in the traditions and supposed letter of the law, that they could not and would not see the meaning of the Law. The Holy Spirit was trying to bring fresh revelation, but if that meant viewing things differently than the way they had always done things before, they would not hear. They resisted.

APPLICATION:

The same thing is true today in the Church to a large degree. Why are we so hell-bent on doing things the same way as always? Why does anything new or different upset us? Why do we so resist change? It’s not that everything new is right, but our stubborn resistance often blocks fresh revelation the Holy Spirit wants to give us now.

This is a topic that can certainly spark impassioned debate and give rise to even more theological questions, but Stephen’s Holy Spirit inspired words should give us pause for honest reflection.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I and the people I lead never be guilty of resisting Your Holy Spirit.
For our own best and for Your glory, in Christ’s name. Amen. -AP

Team Building

2011-05-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 22 Reading: Exodus 25-27, Acts 6

Topic: Wisdom

SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:2-4

2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4 NKJV).

OBSERVATION:

The apostles recognized the importance of organization and order. They knew the value of team building and teamwork. The Holy Spirit was indeed moving and the Church was experiencing phenomenal growth. They needed Holy Spirit inspired wisdom to accommodate the growth and facilitate the continued move of the Holy Spirit. They had to more specifically define their own role and enlist team members to take care of other necessary responsibilities. They were learning to lead with the help of the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION:

As an organizational leader and consultant, I must replicate and teach this lesson.

PRAYER:

Lord, give me Holy Spirit inspired wisdom as You did the apostles. May the churches and organizations and developing leaders I serve seek and receive that wisdom also.

For Your glory, in Christ’s name. Amen. -AP

Teamwork

2011-05-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 21 Reading: Exodus 17-20, Acts 3

Topic: Calling

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 18:13-23 (particularly verses 19 & 20)

19 "...STAND BEFORE GOD FOR THE PEOPLE, so that you may BRING THE DIFFICULTIES TO GOD.

20 And you shall TEACH them the statutes and the laws and SHOW them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

(Ex 18:19-20 NKJV – emphasis mine)

OBSERVATION:

Three key callings to me as a pastor are given here:

1) I am to intercede in prayer for the people in my care.

2) I am to teach them the Word of God.

3) I am to mentor others to take leadership.

APPLICATION:

This whole passage in which Moses' father-in-law Jethro advises him is another place in God's Word of His calling to me:

- Teamwork in ministry

- Develop leaders

- Equip leaders

- Release leaders

Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ. (Eph 4:12)

My mission and the mission of the church is to...

- ...REACH the lost and hurting (outreach)

- ...REGARD people with love and care (nurture and charity)

- ...READY believers to do the work of the ministry (teach, mentor, coach, show)

- ...RELEASE disciples to do the work they are called to do (let them do it, teamwork)

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to fulfill this calling more effectively day by day, week by week, year by year until You come again or call me home. Amen. -AP

Opened Eyes

2011-05-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 20 Reading: Exodus 14-16, Acts 2

Topic: Faith

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 14:20

So it (the pillar of cloud) came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. (Ex 14:20 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

To the Egyptians the presence of God, manifested by the pillar of cloud, created darkness; to the Israelites, it provided light. This incident was by all means a supernatural phenomenon—darkness to one and light to the other. But I wonder if what is described here and seen in the physical realm is not also a picture of reality in the spiritual realm. God is omnipresent yet those without faith, who do not believe in Him, remain in darkness. The Light is present but they still do not see. It is as though lack of faith is a closed eyelid, like a puppy before its eyes are opened.

APPLICATION:

I must not sleep spiritually. I must not be an immature puppy spiritually. I must exercise my faith and thus keep my eyes opened.

PRAYER:

I pray that the Light will dispel the darkness which holds so many captive. May they come to believe and by faith have their eyes opened. In Jesus' name. Amen. -AP

Not a Hoof

2011-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 19 Today’s Reading: Exodus 9-11, Luke 24

Topic: Obedience

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 10:26

Our livestock shall also go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. (Exodus 10:26 a)

OBSERVATION:

As things got worse and worse for Pharaoh and Egypt during the plagues, Pharaoh employed a common political tactic - negotiate for a compromise. But when it comes to the commands of the Lord we learn an important and invaluable lesson in this verse: "Not a hoof!" God's command and will was that "all" Israel be set free - every man, woman, child and possession! Pharaoh tried to persuade Moses to compromise - first to leave the women and children behind, then to leave some of the livestock. Moses knew that to compromise God's command would lead to death and destruction. "NO! 'All' of Israel will go - every person, young or old, every possession, every beast - NOT A HOOF shall be left behind. We will not compromise!"

APPLICATION:

What was true for Moses and the Israelites is true for me today. There are many ways in which followers of Christ can and should be conciliatory. There are matters of culture and contemporary realities to which I can and, in some case, even should adapt in order to reach some. There are matters of Church tradition which I must recognize as such and not treat as dogma. However, when it comes to God’s commands, there must be no compromise.

PRAYER:

Lord, to compromise You—to dilute Your ways at all—is an abomination. Give me the wisdom to recognize the difference between Divine command and human dogma. Give me the strength and resolve to never compromise You or myself. In Jesus' name. Amen. -AP

Women – the Stronger Sex

2011-04-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 18 Reading: Exodus 6-8, Luke 23

Topic: Commitment

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:27

And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. (Luke 23:27 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

When Jesus was taken and mocked and beaten; when He was unjustly tried and crucified, it was the women who stayed close by and followed after Him. The men, with the exception of John, scattered and hid. Peter denied the Lord, but the women openly displayed their love and devotion to Him.

APPLICATION:

It strikes me that most of the men in our society today are likewise wimpy cowards. In most churches, the majority of the work, ministry and standing up for Jesus is done by women. Where are the men? Why are there not more men like John? Where is the courage? It would do many men well to learn at the feet of women.

PRAYER:

Father, may I and millions of other men gain the courage to stand up for Jesus. May we not lord it over our women, but humbly learn lessons in strength from them.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. -AP

Do Not Delay to Obey

2011-04-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 17 Reading: Exodus 3-5, Luke 22

Topic: Obedience

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 4:24-25

24 And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him (Moses) and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses' feet, and said, "Surely you are a husband of blood to me!" (Ex 4:24-25 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

Evidently, Moses had failed to follow the command of the Lord regarding circumcision with his own son. He is about to depart as God's spokesman to deliver and lead the children of Israel, yet he has not even complied with this basic requirement of God. Well, God dramatically gets the message across. I wonder why Zipporah does the circumcision rather than Moses himself? Perhaps it was Zipporah who had resisted the circumcision; it would not have been the practice of her people. Whatever the reasons, now to save her husband's life she begrudgingly complies.

APPLICATION:

The lesson to me from this passage is to never put off or delay in doing what God commands me to do.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to hear and understand Your commands to me clearly, and give me the strength and resolve to comply without delay. Through Jesus Christ. Amen. -AP

When Is It Okay To Lie?

2011-04-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 16 Reading: Exodus 1-2, Psalm 88, Luke 21

Topic: Fear of God

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 1:17-21

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?"

19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them."

20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. (Ex 1:17-21 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

Previous to these verses, Pharaoh had ordered the midwives to kill any male Hebrew babies as soon as they were born (v. 16). When we come to verses 17-19 we find that the midwives apparently lied to pharaoh. Because they feared God more than pharaoh, they lied. It was likely true that the Hebrew women were more "lively" and physically fit that the Egyptian women, but the real reason the male babies were spared was because the midwives revered God and could not kill innocent human life. Is lying okay then in certain cases?

APPLICATION:

God's commandment actually says, "Do not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Ex 20:16). But yes, the midwives were not entirely truthful to Pharaoh. The real issue here, however, is not to justify lying. The real principle to take away from this passage is to revere God above all else.

PRAYER:

My God, I declare my allegiance to You and Your principles. Help me to stand for Your righteousness even in the face of evil. Through Jesus Christ. Amen. -AP

To Live or Perish

2011-04-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 15 Reading: Genesis 31-33, Luke 13

Topic: Repentance

SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:3 & 5

Jesus said… “…unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

OBSERVATION:

In Luke 13 Jesus repeats this phrase twice (verses 3 & 5). The message is clear, repentance is undeniably necessary for salvation— “Unless you repent you will… perish.”

What are the theological ramifications of this doctrine? Does this negate the doctrine of salvation by grace? In no way! Salvation is only available to me by God’s love and grace—I don’t deserve it and I can’t earn it. But neither can I consider it my rightful entitlement just because it is free, without any acknowledgment or intention on my part to change—to turn away from sin—to turn toward God—to repent.

APPLICATION:

To say, “I believe in Jesus; I believe He died on the cross for my sins, but I have no intention what-so-ever of following Him or changing the way I live in any way,” is not to be saved, but rather to seal one’s doom. Jesus says that if you are not willing to repent, you will perish. A sobering theological truth to be reflectively balanced with the gospel of grace.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to teach the theological truths of Your Word always in proper balance.
For the sake of Christ and in His name— Amen. -AP

Peace in the Face of Opposition

2011-03-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 14 Reading: Genesis 29-30, Luke 12

Topic: Peace

SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:11-12

Jesus says…

11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

OBSERVATION:

Two things strike me about this passage:

 First, when you take a stand for Jesus Christ, it is almost a forgone conclusion that you will face opposition by some kind of “authorities.” Don’t be surprised when opposition comes, because it will!

 Secondly, Don’t worry about it— “What will I do? How should I defend myself? What should I say?” Jesus says, “do not worry about it” (v. 11).

APPLICATION:

As we are living in the Lord; as we are serving the Lord; as we are proclaiming Him, we should be experiencing His joy and resting in His peace. When opposition comes against me for His name’s sake, He will be my defender. I do not need to rehearse a pre-planned defense or occupy my mind with “what if” scenarios. I may rest assured that when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will show me what to say.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the joy I have in serving You. Help me to always put my trust in You and to rest peacefully in Your care. I thank You for the many times I have already experienced the enlightenment of Your Holy Spirit with the words to say in various situations. When opposition comes, may I continually trust in Your help, as I dedicate myself to Your service. Through Christ, Amen. -AP

Ask, Seek, Knock, Persist

2011-03-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Week 13 Reading: Genesis 27-28, Psalm 4, Luke 11

Topic: Persistence

SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:5-10

5 And He (Jesus) said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

OBSERVATION:

We seldom include verse 8 when reciting the oft quoted verses 9 and 10 of this passage in Luke. Verse 8 points out that merely relying on friendship and asking for help once when you are in need is not enough—PERSISTENCE in your asking, seeking and knocking is what gets results. The element of proper persistence must not be overlooked in our prayers of petition before the Lord. We may need to ask, seek and knock with more alacrity and tenacity.

APPLICATION:

This passage begs the question of how committed I am to seeing results and receiving answers to my prayers? How sincerely do I ask of the Lord? How earnestly do I seek Him? How urgently do I knock at the doors of heaven? Does my persistence comport with the importance of my requests, or does my lack of persistence belie my sincerity?

PRAYER:

Father, I honor and revere You above all else. May my communion with You be ever pleasing, and may I learn to express my needs before You with proper persistence in all reverence. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. -AP

Progress

2011-03-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 12 Reading: Genesis 25-26, Psalm 6, Luke 10

Topic: Perseverance

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 26:18

And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them. (Gen 26:18 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

Why did the wells have to be dug again? If the work that had already been done had been looked after, protected and cared for it seems there would have been no need to duplicate the effort. Indeed, isn't that how progress is thwarted - by having to re-do and re-discover rather than building upon what has already been established? Thank God Isaac knew where the wells had been and what they were called or they might never have been restored.

APPLICATION:

It behooves me to know the lessons of my predecessors, to protect the good that has already been established, to strip away only that which has been tainted by the enemy and to build upon the good foundation previously ordained by God.

PRAYER:

Lord, give me the wisdom to discern these things and the strength and courage to keep building and progressing. In Christ - Amen. -AP

Only Believe

2011-03-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 11 Reading: Genesis 20-22, Luke 8

Topic: Faith

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 22:6-8 & Luke 8:50

6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”

And he said, “Here I am, my son.”

Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. (Genesis 22:6-8)

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, only believe...” (Luke 8:50)

OBSERVATION:

When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac as a burnt offering, Abraham did not argue. He proceeded to obey, apparently believing that God would provide a lamb as a substitute for Isaac; but he didn't hesitate to sacrifice Isaac. What tremendous faith!

Faith is like a catalyst that activates the power of God to provide miracles. This is what Jesus taught us. When Jarius' daughter died, the facts of the matter said it was too late, she was gone, she was dead. But, Jesus said, “Believe and she will rise up and be well” (Luke 8:50).

APPLICATION:

What a challenge this is to me to have faith and believe God no matter what things may look like.

PRAYER:

Lord I believe! Please help my unbelief. Grant unto me the measure of the gift of faith when You deem it is needed; give me wisdom and discernment to recognize when that is, and give me courage to act upon that faith.

By Your Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ - Amen. -AP

He Lifts My Head

2011-02-27T18:48:00.000-08:00

Week 10 Reading: Genesis 18-19, Psalm 3, Luke 7

Topic: Faith

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 3:1-8

A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.

2 Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

OBSERVATION:

On first reading this psalm it may seem to be a dichotomy. David laments his troubles, “My enemies have increased” (v.1). Yet he rejoices in the Lord’s protection and salvation (vv.7-8). Both seem to be written in the present tense. Is it that the latter is a statement of fact and the former a statement of faith? David was able to see the solution to his troubles while still in the midst of them.

At the time King David wrote Psalm 3, he was being pursued by enemies within his own kingdom and household. Yet his faith in the Lord remained great. He recognized the protection of the Lord, “…a shield for me” (v.3). Though he was king, he remained humble. Whatever honor he received, he recognized was due to the Lord, “You Lord are my glory, and the One who lifts my head” (v.3). Verse 3 also seems to be saying that, even when you are despised by men, if you remain faithful to the Lord, you can hold your head up high.

APPLICATION:

As I write this, I am personally facing a number of trials. I need to see, as David did, my help and salvation from God. I must only be obedient and faithful to the Lord, and He will bring whatever honor is due me—He will lift my head.

PRAYER:

Lord, You are MY shield too. In You I see advancement, not defeat! I love You Lord and resolve to serve You with complete abandon. You will take care of me—of this I am assured. Thank You Lord. Amen. -AP

Return to the Altar

2011-02-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 9 Reading: Genesis 12-14, Luke 5

Topic: Repentance

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 13:3-4

3 And he (Abram) went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

OBSERVATION:

Abram, later called Abraham, often built altars and "called on the name of the Lord." Here we see Abram returning to a previous altar. This altar between Bethel and Ai was first built as Abram was obediently following the Lord's leading into Canaan (Gen 12:7-8). Between these two occasions at the altar we see Abram being distracted by circumstances (famine) and getting off course (into Egypt).

APPLICATION:

Sometimes we, like Abram, get off course. Like Abram, we then need to return to the starting point; that is, to the place of calling upon the name of the Lord. We must call upon Him for our direction and we must call upon Him to stay on course. And if ever we do get off course, we must repent, turn around and return to Him.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I seek You always and only. In Jesus' name. Amen. -AP

God First

2011-02-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 8 Reading: Genesis 9-11, Luke 4

Topic: Pride

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 11:1-9 (particularly v. 4)

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

OBSERVATION:

Why did God confuse the languages at Babel? Was He afraid of man getting too advanced and strong (v.6)? God afraid? Hardly! What really seems to be the issue here is the pride, arrogance and selfishness of man— "...let us build OURSELVES a city..." "...let us make a name for OURSELVES..." (emphasis mine).

A fundamental principle of God was violated: Be humble—honor God first—let Him exalt you. It seems to me that what happened to the people at Babel was a natural consequence of violating a godly principle.

APPLICATION:

If you want to avoid confusion in your life, remember to always put God first. Don't try to exalt yourself. Remain humble, let Him exalt you.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the reminder to keep You first in every aspect of my life. I do not need to exalt myself. I need only exalt and serve You. You will take care of the rest. Amen. -AP

One Man

2011-02-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 7 Reading: Genesis 6-8, Luke 3

Topic: Grace

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:6-7

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Gen 6:8 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

The verses previous to this tell how God was grieved and sorry that He had ever created man because all mankind had become corrupt and evil "continually." Then we come to verse 8 - thank God! One man, Noah, lived above the corruption. One man made a difference for all mankind. Oh true, all who were corrupt and evil were destroyed, but mankind was allowed to continue because one man found God's grace. One man can make a huge difference.

APPLICATION:

Am I the kind of man who can make a difference? It is the desire of my heart to live above corruption—to be a man of honesty and integrity. Through Christ I have been cleansed and purified. And now, with His help, strength and guidance, I want to be a man who makes a difference for many others.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I, as Noah, find grace in Your eyes. In Christ's name - Amen. -AP

Domimion Over Self

2011-01-30T00:01:00.001-08:00

Week 6 Reading: Genesis 3-5, Luke 2

Topic: Self-control

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:6-7

6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

OBSERVATION:

From the very beginning God equipped mankind with the power to resist sin—to “rule over it” (v. 7). The idea that we are helpless to live above our “animal instincts” or that that our behavior is linked entirely to our genetic make up, is just not true!

Because of the original sin of Adam, we are born in sin—that's true. It is also true that scripture makes it clear that we are unable to save ourselves from our sin nature; that is why we need the Savior, Jesus Christ. But it is also true that we are equipped to decide not to sin. We need not be ruled by sin, but indeed have been created with the ability to live above sin—to rule over it and to help each other rule over it.

APPLICATION:

Just because we need to be saved from our sin nature does not mean that we have no choice but to sin. God not only gave men and women dominion over the earth, He also gave us dominion over ourselves. Let us recognize that dominion and exercise it with His help.

PRAYER:

Father, help us to live to the utmost of the potential You have created in us. May we rightly exercise the dominion you have bestowed upon mankind over creation and over ourselves. Amen. -AP

The Voice of God Towards Me

2011-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 3 Reading: Numbers 17-18, Psalm 29, Mark 4

Topic: God’s Power and Love

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 29

1 Give unto the LORD , O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength.

2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.

8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"

10 The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever.

11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
(Psalm 29 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

The 29th Psalm is another psalm of David. One clear observation is David’s redundant use of the phrase, “The voice of the LORD.” What is interesting to note is that each mention of the Lord’s voice is a demonstration of action and power by the Lord. The expression here is the recognition that when God speaks powerful things happen. When God gives voice to something it is an expression of His will, and His will is more powerful and overcomes any other force period! Just as in the beginning when God spoke, creation happened. Genesis 1 repeatedly states, “And God said… And it was so.”

David poetically states, God is all powerful and all authoritative (v. 4). His power can reduce the mighty cedars to mere splinters (v. 5). His power can cause the earth to quake (v. 8). He can quench the fiery eruptions right from the midst of them (v. 7). His power brings life (v. 9). And His power is eternal (v. 10). By His voice—His will—His power—He can bring peace to his own children at any time and in the midst of any situation (v. 11).

APPLICATION:

This psalm is a wonderful expression of how much we should be able to trust the Lord through anything. No matter what other powerful forces may seem to come against us, He can give us strength and bring us peace right in the midst of it (v. 11). And we can join with David in giving Him glory and worship (vv. 1-2).

PRAYER:

Almighty God, I worship You. You are so mighty and I am so small; yet Your love for me offers Your blessing and peace to me even in the midst of raging forces that shake my world and would utterly destroy me if not for Your voice of favor and protection over me. May I ever be worthy of Your voice speaking in my favor.
Through Jesus Christ and for Your glory. Amen. -AP

Dominion

2011-01-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 5 Reading: Genesis 1-2, Luke 1

Topic: Responsibility

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1:27-28

God said to the man and to the woman “...fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion... over every living thing...” (Gen 1:27-28)

OBSERVATION:

This verse begs the question, "What does God mean by 'dominion'?" We often define dominion as dominance— to dominate, to conquer, to use for selfish purposes. But dominion can also mean to be responsible for— to take care of. Knowing the character and nature of God, I think I know which definition He means, don't you?

Note too, that God gave this command specifically to man AND woman. Dominion is not just a male thing, it is a balance of rulership and nurture.

APPLICATION:

Yes, God has given us (men and women) the earth to serve our needs, but that must always be done responsibly, unselfishly and in proper balance.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I do my part in caring for Your creation responsibly. May I transmit the message of that responsibility to others whom I may influence. Amen. -AP

Why He Came

2010-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 1 Reading: Genesis 3-5, Luke 2

Topic: Christmas

I hope you enjoyed a very Merry Christmas last week. For this last week of 2010, I want to conclude our series of insights on holiday topics with a story often told and retold at Christmas by the noted Christian newscaster, Paul Harvey:

It was Christmas Eve and the family was preparing to go to church for the annual midnight service. The father declined to go with the others, saying he would feel like a hypocrite for he could not make sense of the idea that God became a man.

Settling down in his easy chair by the fire, he began to read the newspaper. It had already begun to snow heavily when suddenly he heard unusual thumps on the living room window. He thought someone must be throwing snowballs at the window. Going to the front door he discovered a flock of birds had become disoriented in the storm. They were trying to find shelter through the lighted window. He thought, “I can’t let these poor birds freeze to death out there. But what can I do to help them?”

Then he thought of the barn where his children kept their pony. Returning to the house for his heavy overcoat and galoshes, he made his way through the deepening snow. He turned on the light and threw open the door of the barn, endeavoring to shoo the birds into its shelter. But they flew everywhere other than where he wanted them to go. Then he thought, “Food will bring them in,” so he returned to the house for a supply of bread crumbs. He sprinkled a path to the barn, but the birds would have none of it. Try as he would, they refused to cooperate.

“They think I am some strange creature,” he thought. “They don’t realize I’m trying to help them. Oh, if could only become a bird for a few minutes! Then I could make them understand.”

Just then the church bells began to ring out the glorious tidings of Christmas. When the man heard this, an awareness struck him. He dropped right there to his knees in the snow. Looking up he said, “Now Father, I understand why You did it!”

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 2:14-17

Hebrews 2, verses 14 thru 17 tells us the reason for Jesus coming to earth.

14 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death 15 and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.

16 It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. 17 That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins.

(Heb 2:14-17 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Jesus was “Born To Die” and to bring salvation to all humankind, including you and me.

As you prepare for the new year, with all the New Year’s resolutions you may make, will you resolve that since Jesus died for you, you will then live for Him?

Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key some years ago wrote a song titled “The Pledge.” Look at and ponder the words of this song:

It’s a world of choices patterned to confuse. Distracting little voices whisper what to do. Searching for the pieces one step from the edge. Turn your heart toward Jesus. Make this solemn pledge, He died for me. I’ll live for Him.

Above all lords and regents, He is the King of kings. I’m pledging my allegiance through these words I sing. Take this oath of service. Write it on your wall. It’s our only purpose for living life at all. He died for me. I’ll live for Him.

PRAYER:

Lord, You came to earth to give Your life for me. You died for me, I pledge to live for You. Through Christ and by Your power. Amen. -AP

The Shepherd King

2010-12-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 52 Reading: Genesis 3-5, Luke 2

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8-11

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

It is the shepherds who are summoned to the event of the King’s first coming to our world. And, I think God planned it that way. I mean, I think He planned to continue the connection between shepherd and King.

Jesus is often called the Son of David. Jesus fulfills the promises made to David that one of his seed—one of his descendants—would take the throne of Israel and that His kingdom would last forever. Remember, David was called the shepherd king.

A godly king is like that—a shepherd. His shepherd heart yearns for the safety of the people of his kingdom. He yearns for their health and that they would be fed. He protects them from marauders—from the wolves that would take advantage of their vulnerability.

The scene of the shepherds coming to pay homage to the baby Jesus is touching—but not to the baby. It may even be meaningful to Mary and Joseph. But, it is really for us that the scene unfolds. We’re the ones who are reminded from this scene that not many noble, not many mighty get to witness the things of salvation.

The rich wise men have to undertake arduous journey. Their studies have brought them to this hour. But, the shepherds are interrupted in their slumber. The heavenly host comes to them in their field of labor. I think that’s important to the simple, to the faithful, to the good in heart, to those who may not have the resources to learn of the birth of the King—God comes to them.

Most of us are not like the wise men. Most of us, honestly, are more like the shepherds. God had to interrupt our lives. God had to reveal to us the possibility of a new birth—the new birth of the King and the new birth of the King in our own lives.

Won’t you let the joy of Christmas interrupt your busy life this year. Let the angels visit you. Let them break into your schedule. And then, you visit the Christ Child. Come, see the One born King. And, as you bow and worship, let Him become your Shepherd King.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that all we like sheep have gone astray; and we thank You for being our Shepherd King. We thank You that you love us so much that You will take the time to individually seek and save us when we are lost, just like a shepherd will diligently look for a lost lamb. Lord Jesus, we consciously now in prayer give ourselves over to You and state that we accept You as our Shepherd King. We love You and we bow and worship before You in return. Amen.

CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS
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Do You Have Room?

2010-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 51 Reading: Ezekiel 47-48, Luke 2

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:7

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Almost everyone has heard the story of the little boy selected to play the part of the innkeeper in the Christmas play. He was selected at the last minute, and hadn’t really had time to practice much with the other kids. But then, he only had one line to say, “I’m sorry. There’s no room in the inn.” But something happens during the play. He gets so caught up in the story and so moved by the plight of this young mother, great with child; that when Joseph pleads for a room, he changes the line. And, with great compassion says, “Sure. Come on in. We’ll make room for you.” Of course, he brought the house down. And, I was never quite sure how they got the play back on track after that.

Well, we should concede that it was pre-arranged that the Lord should be born in the stable out back—that it was by design. So, I guess, we shouldn’t be too hard on the innkeeper. But, there is a point to be made.

We do have a choice to make in the matter of His birth. You see, it’s both pre-arranged and by choice. God moves from eternity and takes care of all the details of just how Christ will be released into your life, but it’s still your choice. You’re the one who must make room.

In Romans nine, Paul says that the potter has power over the clay and that God has mercy upon whomever He wills. And then, in Romans ten, Paul tells us that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You see, it’s both. Divinely pre-arranged, yet wonderfully up to your choice. God’s sovereignty is undeniable. But, also—and what a great Christmas thought this is—the value of your choice is equally undeniable, and eternally worthwhile.

PRAYER:

Lord, may we ever make room for you in the inn of our lives. Thank You that You have chosen us—You have chosen me—You have chosen each individual You have created. You chose to come to earth as a baby for the purpose of eventually dying in our place. You chose to die for me. May there be many who will therefore join me in declaring, “I then choose to live for You.” Through Christ. Amen.

CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS
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Your Light Has Come

2010-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 50 Reading: Isaiah 60-62, John 1

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:6-7

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.

5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.
(Isa 60:1-6 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Isaiah’s wonderful Christmas prophecy here foretelling of the visit of the wise men, shines all the more brilliant as he contrasts the brightly shining light, that brings to pass the glory of the Lord, with the darkness that covers the face of the earth, and deep darkness the people.

Though it is rightly translated “darkness” the real meaning of the original Hebrew word is misery and destruction and death and, oddly enough, ignorance. Then Isaiah uses a different word to describe the “deep darkness” which will come upon the people.

I don’t take issue with the translators, but I do want to point out that when this Hebrew word is used in other places, it is most often describing the deep clouds in which the Lord resides—as in the clouds so often described in Israel’s wanderings.

What could all of this mean to us? Well, as our world is covered more and more by the clouds of violence, depression, and ignorance; what touches the nations will also attempt to crush the people. But, even within that terrible darkness, Isaiah sees a light—a glimmer of God’s glory that begins to shine out of the darkness. I suspect that the glory of the Lord is actually in the “araphel” —that Hebrew word—the thick cloudy darkness. It’s that when we think all is lost—when we think all is dark—His light is actually beginning to shine. That may be true for you this Christmas.

Remember, all those Christmas prophecies speak of Jesus as a light shining in the darkness. That may be true for you this very moment. That into your darkness, the brightness of Jesus may be beginning to shine. And, with the shining of that light, the darkness will begin to scatter. And, remember, when this happens, the most natural thing in the world is, like the wise men, to give gifts to the Light that has scattered your darkness, and to say, thank You, and to proclaim the praises of the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for being the Light of the World and the Light that dispels the darkness in my own life. For any reading this blog who are living in the oppression and confusion of darkness, may the brightness of Jesus begin to shine bringing revelation and clarity to them I pray. That we may join together with heaven and nature to sing grateful praises to You. Amen.

CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY IS TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS
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Unto Us A Child Is Born

2010-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 49 Reading: Isaiah 8-10, Hebrews 8

Topic: Christmas

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa. 9:6-7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

Isaiah’s prophecy here in the ninth chapter is the most lyrical—the most beautiful of all the Old Testament scriptures pointing to the birth of the Messiah King.

It is spoken in the midst of other prophecies which predict the judgment of Israel’s enemies. Isaiah also mentions that just preceding the coming of the glory of the Lord’s advent—the coming of this One upon whom the new government shall rest; that there will be a terrible darkness. He calls it the shadow of death. And, then suddenly, a light shines and reveals the One who is the child of God—the Son of God. (Isa. 8:22-9:2).

Of this One—God’s Son—the prophet uses language that was never spoken before of the Messiah, nor would the words be uttered again. His name is Wonderful. His name is Counselor. His name is Mighty God. His name is Everlasting Father. His name is Prince of Peace.

The language Isaiah uses is quite direct. These are not phrases describing what the Messiah King will do, it Is deeper than that. It is His Name. It is not a matter of His doing, it is a matter of His being.

When we are chilled with the shadow of death, He shines into our darkness. When He comes, He brings us wonder—He brings us counsel—He brings to bear into our lives the power of the Mighty God and the steadfastness of the Everlasting Father—He brings us peace and comfort that can come by no other.

And, as His kingdom is established in our lives, as we participate in this new order—this new kingdom—we begin to experience something of peace and order of which there will never be an end. In this kingdom there is judgment and justice for which all our hearts cry out.

You know what else is neat about this kingdom? It is a kingdom that is available in our lives right now. The Messiah has come, born of the virgin in the little town of Bethlehem. He was born. He lived and ministered and taught. He laid down His life as a sacrifice to atone for our sins and died when He was crucified. And, hallelujah, He was and is greater than death, hell and the grave. He arose victoriously from death and lives and rules for us and in us today if we will but ask Him into our hearts and lives. His kingdom is available to each of us right now—today.

PRAYER:

Almighty God, we thank you for loving us so much that you have provided the way for us to come to you—to escape the damnation that sin has produced. Sin in this world which we have been born into, has caused us to become separated from our Creator. And that is why you sent Jesus—to make the way for us to be reconciled to you once again—to escape eternal death and separation from you—to instead receive everlasting life with You, our loving God.

I pray for anyone reading this blog who has not yet accepted Your great Christmas gift—Your Son Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. Cause them to be aware of and experience Your presence this week. Help them to simply believe and receive Jesus—who is God with us—Emmanuel—the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

CONTENT FOR THIS BLOG ENTRY HAS BEEN TAKEN LARGELY FROM A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS ON “JESUS” BY ROY AND KAY HICKS
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Thanks and Giving

2010-11-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 48 Reading: Leviticus 23-24, Psalm 24, Acts 21

Topic: Thanksgiving

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday this week, and enter into the Christmas season following, I would like to take the next few weeks on this blog to focus on and ponder some lessons of this season. This week let’s ponder the concept of thanksgiving. What comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving? —Huge Thanksgiving turkey dinners with your family? —Pumpkin pie? —Watching football? —Beginning to prepare for Christmas? —Maybe even taking some time to reflect on all that you have been blessed with in the past year, and telling God thank you?

Usually, if we think along these lines at all, we think of Thanksgiving as just giving our thanks—being grateful. But I’d like to challenge you this Thanksgiving to go a little deeper and consider that Thanksgiving is not just a time to give thanks, but a time to be thankful and to give.

Consider this verse from this week’s reading:

SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 23:22

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.” (Lev. 23:22 NIV)

OBSERVATION / APPLICATION:

This verse speaks of a principle that is repeated often in the Bible—the principle of providing for those in need. This passage particularly admonishes us to leave some of our abundance for the use of others who may need it.

I hope the Lord has blessed you, and I hope you have much to be thankful for. But I also hope that you will lay hold of this principle that as you have been blessed, you in turn will be a blessing to others.

Let me make three quick points about this principle:

First, the principle of providing for those in need was to be a way of life for the Hebrew people. We, likewise should consider it a way of life today; not as a burdensome obligation, but as a moral and ethical responsibility that we just do.

Secondly, the giving or leaving of provisions for the use of the poor or the traveler or the foreigner, was to be done ungrudgingly and with an attitude that was not judgmental toward the recipients.

And, finally, this principle was meant to be practiced by all—the poor as well as the rich. Some of us are just so blessed that we can share in abundance. But even if you are one who is poor and terribly downtrodden, there will always be something that you yet can give or share with others.

PRAYER:

Merciful Lord, thank you for your blessings to us. We do offer you our sincere thankfulness. But Lord, help us to not only be giving our thanks to You with our words, but to show You our thankfulness by sharing with others of the fruits you have blessed us with. We love and worship You, most gracious Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen. –AP

Liberation!

2010-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Week 47 Reading: Numbers 19-20, Psalm 28, Mark 5

Topic: Deliverance

SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:1-20 (particularly verses 18-20)

18 And when He (Jesus) got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5:18-20 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

I love this story of Jesus delivering the demoniac. In my book, The Power and Promises of THE NAME Jesus* I devote one chapter to the subject of deliverance. This story from the Gospel of Mark (also recorded in Luke 8) provides the backdrop for my discourse on deliverance. There is so much in this narrative that it is difficult to choose just one aspect to write about in this short devotion; so let us notice one interesting insight we may derive from verses 18-20.

It is interesting to note that this man, whom Jesus delivered from a heinous and long term bondage to probably thousands of evil spirits, wanted to go with Jesus. But Jesus told him, “No.” Instead Jesus commissioned him to stay and share the testimony of what the Lord had done for him to those in his home region (v. 19). The Bible doesn’t tell us what became of this man, but we do know that some years later the apostle Paul traveled through this region on one of his missionary journeys. Could this man’s ministry have been a significant factor in preparing the way for the spreading of the gospel later?

APPLICATION:

Let us consider for a moment what essentially characterizes deliverance. When the postman delivers your mail, is he delivering mail to you, or from those who sent it? When the obstetrician delivers a baby, is he delivering the child from the womb, or to the arms of his mother? Is deliverance from bondage, or to liberty? The obvious answer to all of these questions is that it is both. Deliverance is never just from something. It is a transition from one place, state or condition to another. The demon-possessed man in this passage of scripture was miraculously delivered from a legion of demons, but what and where was he delivered to? Jesus said, “No, you can’t come with me. You are to stay here and share your testimony with the people of your own country” (v. 19). Jesus delivered him FROM demon possession and TO an evangelistic ministry.

Let us not make the mistake of only looking to the Lord for what we wish to be delivered from, but also be willing to go where He chooses to deliver us to.

PRAYER:

Lord I thank and praise You for the liberation You bring. You have liberated me from the bondage of sin and death and given me eternal life through my simple act of faith and belief in You. My salvation is a deliverance from death to life! In return, I declare my willingness to go wherever You choose to deliver me.
In Jesus’ name. Amen. –AP

* NOTE: The Power and Promises of THE NAME Jesus is available for purchase at andypruitt.com

Who Needs the Holy Spirit?

2010-11-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Week 45 Reading: Numbers 10-11, Psalm 27, Mark 1

Topic: Power for Ministry

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:1-11 (particularly verses 9-11)

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This is an amazing scene! When Jesus came up from under the Jordan River waters of baptism, the Holy Spirit immediately descended upon Him, “like a dove.” It is important for us to recognize that while Jesus was and is the Son of God (He is God Himself come in human form, and we know that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all one God); but He came to minister and operate as a man. So, as a man Jesus needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry, and that is what is given to Him here.

The dove here not only suggests gentleness and purity, but doves were also used as sacrificial offerings. This whole magnificent scene presents a picture of the character and manner of Jesus’ redemptive ministry. And the whole thing is immediately confirmed and sealed by the supernatural utterance from the Father in heaven…

11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Note the inner bond between “the Son of God” (v.1) and the Father. The heavenly voice speaks the combined words of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. In Psalm 2:7 God addresses the anointed King as His Son…

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (Psalm 2:7 NIV)

In Isaiah 42:1, God addresses His Servant in whom He delights and upon whom He has placed His Spirit…

1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1 NIV)

When you put all these together you can see a picture showing that the Son of God will perform the ministry of the Servant of God by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

So the earthly ministry of the Son of God who has come to live and minister as a human being is here inaugurated by the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon Him, and is confirmed by the voice of God the Father.

APPLICATION:

As a man, Jesus needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in order to minister with the power and authority He demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry. How much more then must I realize that I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to have effective ministry?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the privilege of serving You. You are the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). Thank You for baptizing me. I pray that You will fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit daily, that I may be an effective minister and servant to the building of Your Kingdom. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Amen. -AP

Fresh Directives

2010-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

How Much Wealth Does It Take?

2010-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 43 Reading: Judges 9-10, Psalm 49, 1 Corinthians 16

Topic: Redemption

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 49:6-8

6 Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
8 For the redemption of their souls is costly… (Psa 49:6-8 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

What is the cost for redemption? How much wealth would it take to pay for it? The psalmist here observes the truth that, “the redemption of souls… is costly.” The NIV Bible states it this way, “no payment is ever enough.” All people, rich or poor, will one day die and their bodies decay. Whatever wealth one accumulates will be left behind to others. But though our bodies will perish and our wealth cannot purchase redemption for our souls, the psalmist yet sees hope for redemption:

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah (Psa 49:15 NKJV)

Our redemption is totally out of our control. No amount of human ability, or wealth, or power will redeem us or our fellow human beings. Redemption can only come from God and by His grace.

APPLICATION:

If I were a wealthy man, I can think of many worthwhile things I could do with that wealth (and yes, many selfish pursuits as well). But if I had unlimited financial resources I could become the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. I would receive the accolades of people everywhere (Psa 49:18). Yet all of that wealth, or ability, or wisdom, or knowledge, or good intentions, or sincerity, or love… (you can insert anything in the place of “wealth”) …none of that can redeem me or anyone else. My eternal redemption and everyone else’s is completely out of my hands. Only Jesus Christ is able to purchase redemption. Only He is able to deliver from death unto eternal life.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for Your love that exceeds all else—that provides what I can never provide.
In worship and thanksgiving. Amen. -AP

Culture Shift

2010-10-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 42 Reading: Joshua 18-20, 1 Corinthians 9

Topic: Evangelism

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:5 & 12

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Cor 9:19-22 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This is an interesting passage of scripture that describes the Apostle Paul’s philosophy of ministry. He says that when ministering among Jews he followed their Law and customs. When ministering among those of other cultures, he would follow their customs. By complying with the customs of others—by making himself “a servant to all” (v. 19)—it was his desire to win more people for Christ (v. 19). “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (v. 22).

An initial observation might be to think Paul lacked conviction. How could he be all things to all people? How could he live one way in one culture and live differently in another culture? Where’s the conviction of belief in a way of life and behavior? Aren’t some things right and some things wrong? The parenthetical note in verse 21 should put to rest any confusion as to Paul’s convictions. He explains that he is not dissing the law of God, rather embracing the law toward Christ who died to save men and women of all tribes, tongues, nations and cultures.

APPLICATION:

Christ’s Church today often struggles with these concepts. How do we balance the concept of standing up for right behavior (morality) and shunning wrong behavior (immorality), with the concept of extending Christlike love, acceptance and forgiveness to all people regardless of their behavior?

Let me pose a scenario for any Christians reading this blog to consider: Suppose God called you to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a far away culture of people. In this culture the normal courting process involves boys and girls pairing off when they come of age and engaging in sexual intercourse. When they find someone with whom they feel compatible they make a home together. Finally, after living together for a considerable period of time and discovering that they want to maintain an exclusive relationship, their marriage is solemnized by a ceremony conducted by one of the authorities of their people. In order to bring the gospel to these people how important would it be to convince them to change the ways of their culture in regard to premarital sex? Could these people be saved and become mature, convinced and convincing followers of Jesus Christ without changing this aspect of their culture? Now realize that this is not a description of a far away culture, but of today’s post modern American culture.

How do we adapt to a changing culture that we “might win the more” (v. 19), without compromising the Gospel of Christ?

I pose the question but I'm not sure I have a precise answer; however, I do have an opinion. I think it is important for us to separate what is truly the biblical gospel of Christ from the traditional mindset of culture. How a society accepts or determines the courting process is not as important as the fact that they need to accept Christ. But we also need to recognize the difference between what is culture and what is sinful behavior. In regard the scenario I gave, God's Word does have something to say about sexual relations outside of marriage, but other than that, how people court from one culture to another may be quite different. I say lead them to Christ and let the Holy Spirit deal with conviction of sin.

I invite the thoughts of others who may read this blog journal entry.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for loving and saving an unworthy sinner such as myself. It is my desire to help lead many others to gain a personal relationship with You too. Help me to minister in the same way as Christ, who sought fellowship with all people, yet without sin.
Through Christ and for God’s glory. Amen. -AP

Knowing by the Spirit

2010-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Antithesis of Living Water

2010-10-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 40 Reading: Revelation 15-18

Topic: Judgment

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 16:3-4

3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

OBSERVATION:

When I pastored a church in West Texas, the name we gave our church was “Living Water.” The symbol of water has rich spiritual meaning, and in West Texas water takes on an additional significance. Drought is the norm for the high plains surrounding Brownfield, Texas. The people who live there understand the importance of water more than most. Water is necessary for life, which is why it is such a rich spiritual symbol. Jesus provides us with “Living Water”—that is, eternal life.

These verses in Revelation are describing the antithesis of Living Water. I learned long ago as a school boy that the closest thing in nature to blood is sea water. It contains all the minerals of life yet one cannot survive drinking it. We must have fresh water. God’s judgment is shown in these verses to not only render fresh water useless, it also takes the life out of the sea as well. It isn’t just turned to blood, it is turned to lifeless, “dead” blood (v. 3). It is the picture of existence without Christ.

APPLICATION:

The application is clear. In order to survive God’s judgment, we must partake of the Living Water—we must accept and receive Jesus Christ. To deny Christ is to cut off one’s self from the source of life. In the high plains people have learned to do with scarce water, but even West Texans could not survive with no water.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to take the Living Water to as many as I can; that, when all else is drought, they will yet have the Living Water within them.
Through Christ. Amen. -AP

Beyond My Imaginings

2010-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 39 Reading: Revelation 1-4

Topic: The Eternal God

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1:8, 4:11

1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

4:11 “ You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

OBSERVATION:

The phrase, “who is and who was and who is to come,” is repeated often in the opening chapters of Revelation. It is a description applied to the triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). It is a way of saying God is eternal—He is past, present and future. He transcends time as we know it. Furthermore, He is the creator and sustainer of all things,

“For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” He is existence—without Him nothing exists.

Here’s a philosophical question for you: Is there such a thing as non-existence? The great philosopher Rene Descartes pondered long and hard over the subject of existence, finally concluding, “I think, therefore I am.” Descartes reasoned that the very fact that he was thinking about it proved his own existence. However, does that mean that if one ceases to think they cease to exist? I have had conversations with people who do not believe in God. They will argue that life as we know it is entirely biological. All that we think we are—our life, our memories, our personality—is contained within our biological brains. Therefore, they reason, when the brain dies, we cease to exist.

I find such reasoning to be very egocentric. It makes the individual the creator. It says that all that exists is only in my mind and that beyond my own ability to imagine it, is nothing. It reasons that God is merely a construct of your mind since nothing exists, including the idea of God, outside your own mind.

APPLICATION:

John had a revelation of reality beyond himself. John had encountered God in the flesh. He had walked with and known Jesus physically and personally. Now, in Revelation, he is not only encountering the broader reality and existence of God, but of his own existence beyond the confines of an earthly physical body. God is not limited to our reasoning, He is beyond our reasoning! Oh how confined we really are if we limit all reality to be within our own brain. Knowing that there is much more beyond our own ability to imagine or think it, is the essence of faith—knowing that there are some things that we cannot explain or understand that are none-the-less real—in fact even more real than my limited abilities to wrap my puny brain around.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the revelation you gave to John. Thank You Lord for the revelation You have given to me. Thank You Lord for revealing Yourself to all who will but recognize their own limitations and simply believe. You are beyond my ability to explain, yet You are more real to me than any of my imaginings. That makes me join with those before Your throne worshipping and saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Amen! -AP

Honest to God

2010-09-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 38 Reading: James 1-5

Topic: Honesty

SCRIPTURE: James 5:12

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. (James 5:12 NKJV).

OBSERVATION:

James here is repeating a teaching of Jesus (see Matt. 5:33-37) that addresses the fundamental core of honesty and character. The admonition to let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” is simple enough to understand. It simply means to live your life with such honesty and character that people will always be able to trust the truthfulness of the words you speak. But what is the point about not swearing oaths?

How often have you heard someone emphasize the truthfulness of a statement by saying something like, “As God is my witness” or “Honest to God”? In a court of law witnesses place their hand on a Bible and swear to, “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Why does James (and Jesus) admonish us not to swear oaths? The admonition here should not be seen as an injunction against taking a required oath in court, but rather a command to keep our lives free from the need for elaborate oaths and schemes to assure others that we are indeed telling the truth. He is pointing out that, if you are a person who has an honest character, you will not need to swear or promise in order to make others believe you. Your character will be your oath.

APPLICATION:

At the heart of honesty is the matter of truthfulness, and this is a topic which is a struggle for all of us. In the motion picture Liar Liar, actor Jim Carey plays the part of an attorney who, because of a wish his son makes, is unable to tell a lie. The story takes viewers through a day in the life of this hapless lawyer who must always, and in every circumstance, tell the unequivocal truth. The results are hilarious and strikingly poignant. If we are truthful, we will admit that not lying can be a problem. Whether people describe them as little white lies, fibs or half truths, their misleading or deceptive statements are not entirely honest. How often do we find ourselves exaggerating or stretching the truth about something to make ourselves look better? It may not be that we even intend to be untruthful, but before we know it we are embellishing a story. During the last presidential campaign, then Senator Hillary Clinton and then Senator Joe Biden out on the campaign trail were criticized for embellishing stories about being shot at in war zones—stories that were proven to be less dramatic than stated. Many of us have fallen victim to some degree of dishonesty even if it was just complimenting someone when we didn’t really mean it or keeping silent when we should have told the truth.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the reminder to watch the truthfulness of the things I say. May my “yes” be “yes” and my “no” be “no” – That is, may I be known as a man of honesty and good character; that I may represent You well in the earth.
Through Christ Jesus. Amen. -AP

Sacrifice of Love or Hatred?

2010-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Deceitfulness of Sin

2010-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 36 Reading: Philemon; Heb. 1-4

Topic: Deceitfulness of Sin

SCRIPTURE: Heb. 3:12-15; 4:1

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

OBSERVATION:

This passage in context is drawing a comparison to the Old Testament lessons learned by the children of Israel who rebelled against God in the wilderness and consequently were denied entrance into the Promised Land. This is an admonition to remain steadfast in faith in Christ Jesus and a warning against allowing our hearts to become, “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Believers in Jesus Christ have the promise of God’s rest (v. 18). Whether this is taken to be the place of eternal rest and peace in heaven, or the ability to experience His peace and rest on earth this side of heaven, sin threatens to block our access to that place.

APPLICATION:

I am intrigued by the phrase, “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” in verse 13. Everyone, I’m sure, desires to be in a place of rest or contentment with who they are and how they are living. Likewise, no one would consciously and willfully plunge themselves into a place of discomfort or despair. It is the “deceitfulness” of sin that leads people to become rebellious to God’s truth and hardened against following His ways. The deceitfulness of sin tells people that however they want to live is okay; they don’t need to follow the teachings of an antiquated book or believe in a mythical God. Deceitfulness convinces people that sin is not really sin, therefore there is no need to repent since there is no sin. And don’t you dare try to tell them otherwise! Their hardened hearts will not hear of it. As the rebellious followers of Moses, they are actually denying themselves access to a place of true rest.

So, how are we to respond to this? We are called to, “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today.’” The day is not over, time is not up, hope is still alive… “Today, if you will hear His voice…” (3:15) “a promise remains of entering His rest” (4:1).

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the peace and rest You give me, both today and for eternity. Keep my heart pliable and soft that I not become hardened to Your paths. Give me Your heart of compassion for others. Soften hardened hearts by Your Holy Spirit and lead us according to Your benevolent will. Amen. -AP

Proclaiming the Truth to All

2010-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 35 Reading: Numbers 8-9, Acts 28

Topic: Evangelism

SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:23-27

23 So when they had appointed him (Paul) a day, many (Jews) came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,

‘ Go to this people and say:
“ Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”’ (Acts 28:23-27 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

At this juncture of Paul’s life and ministry he is being held as a prisoner while awaiting his day in Rome and his appeal to Caesar. The passage to Rome was a long and fateful voyage. Paul and the company of people traveling with him suffered much hardship, adventure and shipwreck before finally reaching Rome. Yet Paul, ever vigilant to his calling, never stopped teaching, preaching and persuading people to believe in Jesus. Even after realizing his primary ministry was not to the Jews but to the Gentiles, he continually found himself in situations where he was proclaiming Christ to the Jews. This was the case as we come to Acts 28:23 — Paul, now in Rome awaiting the day appointed for his hearing, is visited by many Jewish people to whom he proclaimed what he always did, the Gospel of Christ. How did they respond? Verse 24 tells us something very interesting; “some were persuaded” and “some disbelieved.” Some who heard the truth fell into the category of those spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. Hearing, they heard but did not understand. Seeing, they saw but did not perceive. They saw as with closed eyes and heard as though hard of hearing.

APPLICATION:

As Christians today with a clear calling to go and share the Gospel of Christ both near and far, we will experience the same results Paul did. Some just will not believe. But may our joy be derived and our diligence be driven by the other truth in this passage—SOME WILL BE PERSUADED!

PRAYER:

Lord, I pray for those with blocked vision and stopped up hearing. May their spiritual eyes and ears be healed. And I thank You for those who hear with understanding and who see with clear perception. May I be obedient to proclaim Your truth to all without discrimination, and trust You for the results.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. -AP

Corrupt Politicians & Slick Lawyers

2010-08-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

How Will You Be Remembered?

2010-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 33 Reading: Leviticus 25, Psalm 25-26, Acts 22

Topic: God’s Mercy

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 25:7

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. (Psalm 25:7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

How do you want to be remembered? Would you like to be remembered for all of your faults? Would you like to be remembered for all of the mistakes you have made, for all your failures, for your shortcomings? King David is pleading with the Lord, “Please don’t remember my sins and transgressions. You are the all knowing God, but please do not remember me according to Your omniscience—remember me according to Your mercy.”

David recognized that if he were to be judged according to his deeds—if he were remembered by God according to his faulty and sinful humanity, he would by all means be lost. David’s hope, mankind’s hope, my hope is only in God’s mercy.

APPLICATION:

David must have been speaking prophetically because that’s exactly what God did for us through Jesus. God’s love for us found a way for us to be seen—to be remembered according to His mercy.

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:4,5,8 NIV)

Wow! God sees you and me through Jesus. According to His mercy through Christ, He remembers me.

PRAYER:

Father God, thank You for Your great love and mercy.
In Christ. Amen. -AP

Hearing, Knowing, Obeying

2010-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 32 Reading: Leviticus 20-22, Acts 20

Topic: Dedication

SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:22-24

22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
(Acts 20:22-24 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

Paul’s dedication to the mission given to him by the Lord is incredible. Knowing that the Jews in Jerusalem had sought to kill him, he did not hesitate to return there at the Lord’s leading. Knowing that the mission he was called to would lead to “prison and hardships” ahead, he did not hesitate to obey.

Equally impressive is his willing ear attuned to the Holy Spirit. There is no hint that Paul had to go to extraordinary measures or strain to hear the leading of the Spirit. There is no doubting or wondering if he heard correctly. He did not have to puzzle over what the Lord really meant.

Paul walked with the Lord so closely that he knew and heard the voice of the Lord clearly without a doubt. His dedication to the Lord was so complete that his personal well being was not a concern. His only compulsion was to complete the mission given to him to share the gospel of Christ. His allegiance to the Lord was uncluttered by anything else.

APPLICATION:

Wow, what an example for Christian leaders today to aspire to! Few people have a relationship with the Lord that close. Yet, passages like this serve to encourage us that it is possible have such a walk with the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, I struggle sometimes to hear Your voice. I often ponder and labor over trying to understand clearly Your direction for me. May my daily path draw me ever closer to You, and may I come to discern Your will with clarity and without hesitation.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. -AP

Honesty and Hope

2010-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Week 31 Reading: Leviticus 18-19, Psalm 13, Acts 19

Topic: Overcoming Despair

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 13

1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.(Psalm 13 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This Psalm of David divides into three sections.

In verses 1-2 David questions the Lord. Everything is written in the form of a question, but the questions express his lament, his doubts, his impatience, and his despair.

In verses 3-4 David appeals to the Lord, but his appeal is a continuation of his lament. David seems depressed. He feels defeated, or nearly so. His cry for enlightenment sounds like the last ditch wish of a hopeless man who is at the end of his rope.

In verses 5-6 the tone shifts so abruptly it’s like observing the mood swing of a manic depressive. Is this the same guy? David’s expressions of trust, joy and worshipful singing are a sharp change from the rest of the psalm.

APPLICATION:

In this short psalm, what seems like a dichotomy of expression, is really a picture honest human beings can relate to. How often do we come to situations in life that seem to bring us to our wits end? The pattern given to us in this psalm is one of honesty and hope. David is honest before the Lord about how he feels and what he is going through. We can learn here that it is alright—indeed it is needful and desirable—to be perfectly honest with ourselves and the Lord. He knows how you’re feeling anyway, so why not just spill out exactly and expressively what’s going on inside of you.

But anxiety and woefulness cannot be wallowed in with no hope. As healthy as it is to honestly spill your guts, living in that quagmire will not be. Thank God for verses 5-6! David’s cry for enlightenment in verse 3 is answered in verses 5 & 6. Our loving and merciful God will never leave us without hope! THERE IS NO SITUATION IN LIFE THAT YOU CAN GO THROUGH, as dark and evil and painful as it may be, THAT IS BEYOND THE REACH OF GOD to restore joy, peace and meaning. You, as David, can trust in Him through it all.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for this encouragement from Your Word. May I always and in every situation be able to say, “I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I know that You have dealt bountifully with me; therefore my heart is not deprived of my song of worship and praise to You."

Through the presence of Christ always within me. Amen. -AP

Our Offensive Weapons

2010-06-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

This Week's Reading: Eph. 5-6; Ps. 119:1-80

Title: “Our Offensive Weapons”
Topic: Spiritual Warfare

Scripture: Eph. 6:17-18

17 Take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…
NKJV

Observation:
When the apostle Paul admonishes Christian believers to, “Put on the whole armor of God” (v. 11), I have often noted that all of the pieces of armor listed are protective gear. It is only after the defensive articles of armor are listed that the offensive weapons are listed. For a long time I said there was only one offensive weapon given: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). However, I note that “praying… in the Spirit” (v. 18) is also an offensive weapon.

Application:
We have been given two offensive weapons—two means of advancing against the enemy: The sword of the Spirit and praying in the Spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is key—Holy Spirit enlightenment and Holy Spirit enablement.

Prayer:
Father, may I ever function in Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. -AP

Wanted: Harvesters

2010-06-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

This Week's Reading: Mt. 8-10

Title: “Wanted: Harvesters”
Topic: Evangelism

Scripture: Mt. 9:37-38

Jesus said…
37 "…The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
NKJV

Observation:
One of the members of Living Water Foursquare Church in Brownfield, Texas is a farmer named Billy Jones. I recall when I was pastoring the church in Brownfield, I visited Billy in his cotton fields. He had hired workers who were busily harvesting his cotton crop. In this domain Billy was lord of the harvest. It occurred to me that if Billy had no workers, the crop would be mostly lost. He would be unable to bring it all in by himself.

In this passage Jesus is talking about a harvest of the souls of men and women.

Application:
As I looked out over the acres and acres of Billy’s cotton—truly “white” for harvest—I inwardly saw all the souls of Brownfield and West Texas; the fields in which the Lord had placed me. He was the Lord of the harvest and I was one of His foremen. The task was daunting, for I realized that I did not have enough willing workers.

Today I look over another field in which the Lord has placed me and I pray today as I prayed in that West Texas cotton field:

Prayer:
Lord of the harvest, send me workers that I may prepare and send into Your fields. Amen.

Validation on God's Team

2010-06-13T00:01:00.001-07:00

This Week's Reading: 1 Tim. 1-4

Title: “Validation on God’s Team”
Topic: Service

SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim. 4:14-15

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
NKJV

OBSERVATION:
Paul admonishes young Timothy to be mindful of the gift within him—a gift confirmed earlier by a word of prophecy over him as elder church leaders laid hands on him and prayed over him. According to Ephesians 4, Jesus gives gifts of office to certain individuals to serve in leadership roles in His Church:

Eph 4:11-12
11 And He (Christ Jesus) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…
NKJV

Paul’s repeated references to studying and heeding doctrine (vv. 13 & 16), clearly indicate Timothy’s call to the office of pastor, teacher. Timothy had accepted the gift of the Lord to serve in this office and it was confirmed by a word of prophecy as the elders laid on hands and prayed over him. Now Paul is urging Timothy not only to not neglect his gift, but to give himself entirely to this calling; so that his progress in his God-given profession will “be evident to all” (v. 15).

APPLICATION:
In today’s reading this passage struck me in a highly personal way, since I too am one whom the Lord has called to ministry. I too have had words of prophecy spoken to me by church leaders who have laid their hands on me and prayed over me. Timothy was young and perhaps a bit unsure of himself. Perhaps he felt that people didn’t recognize or accept him for the gift bestowed upon him. Thus, verse 15 is both an admonishment and an encouragement. Unlike Timothy, I am not young at this juncture of my ministry. Yet I’ll have to admit that since moving to Portland, I identify with feeling unrecognized and unaccepted. While Portland has been a place for me to meditate and give myself to further study (I completed my BA and MS degrees), I have been sidelined from direct active ministry. I feel like an old third string quarterback who never gets any playing time; few people even know I’m on the team. Therefore, as I continue to press on toward the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus in my life (Ph 3:14), I have to trust the He will cause my progress to become “evident to all.”

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the encouragement of Your Word. I humbly ask for Your guidance, provision and favor as I pursue future service as a member of Your team. Amen. -AP

Who Will Occupy the House?

2010-06-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Mt. 11-13

Title: “Who Will Occupy the House?”
Topic: Evangelism

Scripture: Mt. 12:43-45

Mt 12:43-45
43 "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
NIV

Observation:
In today’s reading I was struck by these words of Jesus as He exposed the unfaithfulness to God of some scribes and Pharisees. More than just a condemnation of their “wicked generation,” I find the analogy of an unoccupied house compelling from a missional standpoint. What is our mission as Christ’s Church? Is our mission to combat evil? Or, is our mission to proclaim God’s love?

Application:
We must remember that our mission is not to defeat Satan; Christ has done that. Our mission is to proclaim Christ. If we merely combat evil, the best we can accomplish is to see evil cast out of people’s hearts. That may seem like a good thing, but if that evil is not replaced by Christ in their hearts they may ultimately end up “worse than the first.”

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the reminder that hearts are either filled with You or with evil; they don’t remain empty. Help me to lead people to You. Amen.

Eye See

2010-05-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

This Week's Reading: Mt. 5-7

Title: “Eye See”
Topic: Attitude

Scripture: Mt. 6:22-23

22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
NKJV

Observation:
Jesus says, "The lamp of the body is the eye.” What does this allegory of the eye represent? What we see comes into our consciousness. If we think of the “eye” in this way, we could surmise that what we see (what we take in) affects us for either good or bad. Using that premise, we must be careful what we look at lest it defile us. However, it is often true that we “see” some pretty horrible, dark things in this world through no choice of our own. Does the sight of these things necessarily mean that we are now bad or dark? Note also that Jesus says, “If your eye is good, you will be full of light. If your eye is bad, you will be full of darkness.” This is talking about the condition of the eye rather than what is seen through it.

Application:
I don’t think Jesus is talking about “what” I see but rather “how” I see things. If my perception of things is always toward darkness I will be full of darkness, but if I dwell on the Light in the midst of darkness my being will be “full of light.”

Prayer:
Lord, help me to always see in the Light. Amen -AP

Authentic Friendship

2009-04-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

2009-4-18 Today's reading: 1 Samuel 20-21, Psalm 34, Matt 5

Title: "Authentic Friendship"
Topic: Relationship

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20: 4 & 16
4 So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.”
16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David,

Observation:
Have you every had a friend that you: exchanged a gift with--like a piece of jewelry--to show that you would be bound together as friends forever; or cut your finger and mingled your blood to become blood brothers or sisters; or created some secret sign of your friendship? Well, then, you made a covenant of friendship with that person. This story about Jonathan strikes me as the ultimate, authentic covenant friendship. If David had not been anointed and protected by God (see yesterday's post) as the next king, then Jonathan would have looked forward to being the King. To be friends with David, covenant friends, cost him the throne. It raised his father's ire as he raised his hand to hurl a sword at him! That is quite an authentic friendship!

Application:
It occurs to me that this friendship is quite selfless on the part of both men. Each is focused on the other's best interest. Each understands the position that needs to be held; one's station is a king's son, the other the future king. If we could only see our friends with all the potential that God has given them individually and respect it, we would treat our colleagues a little differently, not worrying so much about our own status and constantly trying to put ourselves out in front. David's words to Jonathan did nothing to belittle his station. Jonathan's actions toward David showed belief in David's future and God given potential. Jonathan's utter belief in David's future caused him to seek a promise from David for future protection of his heirs! (see I Sam. 21:42)

Prayer:
Lord, help me to seek the very best for my friends! Help me to see the potential that you have placed in them. Help me to be an authentic friend. --lp

Invincible?

2009-04-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

2009-4-17 Today's reading: 1 Samuel 19, I Chronicles 7, Psalm 59, Matt 4

Title: "Invincible"
Topic: Anointing

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19: 10; 20-21 and Psalm 59:16

10 Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul’s presence; and he drove the spear into the wall. So David fled and escaped that night.
20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
21 And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. (1 Sam. 19: 10 & 20-21 NKJV)

16 But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble. (Psalm 59:16 NKJV)

Observation:
It has been said that the man of God is invincible until God is through with him. David was anointed by God and God supernaturally protected him. When Saul tried to run him through with a spear, he was unsuccessful. Then Saul sent soldiers to watch David's house to try to kill him. David wrote about this. (Psalm 59, also in today's reading.) If you read the subscript to the psalm, you will read: "To the Chief Musician. Set to 'Do Not Destroy.' A Michtam of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him." David recorded this incident with new words to an existing song. It was to be sung to a tune called "Al Tashcheth" here translated 'Do Not Destroy' which literally means "Set me on high." It is referring to David's safe keeping! At the end of the Psalm, in verse 16 he sings of God's power, mercy, defense, and refuge! And in verse 17, David purposes to sing to God, of his strength, his defense and mercy!!!!

Later, a few verses down in 1 Samuel 19, we see the Spirit of the Lord was so present over David that three different groups of men sent by Saul to take David from Samuel's house (after he fled there), were so overcome by the Spirit, that instead of seizing David they themselves were seized by the Holy Spirit, just as was Saul himself when he finally came to see what was going on!

Application:
As long as I have the Lord's anointing to lead and I am obedient to my calling, I can depend upon God's full protection just as in the case of David!

Prayer:
May I always have your anointing, Lord, and fearlessly obey your will. Amen. -AP w/LP

Fresh Directives

2009-04-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

2009-04-14 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15-16, 1 Chronicles 5, Matthew 1

Title: “Fresh Directives”
Topic: Obedience

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 15:22

22 So Samuel said:
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
This verse asks and answers a question.

Question:
What does God take more delight in, sacrifices offered to Him or obedience to what He tells us to do?

Answer:
Obedience

APPLICATION:
Why did the Israelites offer sacrifices? Because that’s what God directed them to do. But are we to live constantly in what God has directed us to do in the past, or in what He is directing us to do today?

For the Israelites it wasn’t that offering sacrifices was wrong, it was that they allowed it to take precedence over hearing the voice of the Lord now. How much of what we do in church today is done because that’s the way we’ve always done it? Yet, as good as those procedures may be, it is infinitely more important to hear from and obey God today.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your directives – old and new. Help Your word to always be fresh and new; and help me to obey and live in that word today.
Through Christ. Amen. -AP

How Much Wealth Does It Take?

2009-03-31T00:19:00.000-07:00

2009-03-31 Today’s Reading: Judges 9-10, Psalm 49, 1 Corinthians 16

Title: “How Much Wealth Does It Take?”
Topic: Redemption

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 49:6-8

6 Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
8 For the redemption of their souls is costly… (Psa 49:6-8 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
What is the cost for redemption? How much wealth would it take to pay for it? The psalmist here observes the truth that, “the redemption of souls… is costly.” The NIV Bible states it this way, “no payment is ever enough.” All people, rich or poor, will one day die and their bodies decay. Whatever wealth one accumulates will be left behind to others. But though our bodies will perish and our wealth cannot purchase redemption for our souls, the psalmist yet sees hope for redemption:

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah (Psa 49:15 NKJV)

Our redemption is totally out of our control. No amount of human ability, or wealth, or power will redeem us or our fellow human beings. Redemption can only come from God and by His grace.

APPLICATION:
If I were a wealthy man, I can think of many worthwhile things I could do with that wealth (and yes, many selfish pursuits as well). But if I had unlimited financial resources I could become the greatest philanthropist the world has ever known. I would receive the accolades of people everywhere (Psa 49:18). Yet all of that wealth, or ability, or wisdom, or knowledge, or good intentions, or sincerity, or love… (you can insert anything in the place of “wealth”) …none of that can redeem me or anyone else. My eternal redemption and everyone else’s is completely out of my hands. Only Jesus Christ is able to purchase redemption. Only He is able to deliver from death unto eternal life.

PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for Your love that exceeds all else—that provides what I can never provide.
In worship and thanksgiving. Amen. -AP

Culture Shift

2009-03-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

2009-03-24 Today’s Reading: Joshua 18-20, 1 Corinthians 9

Title: “Culture Shift”
Topic: Evangelism

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:5 & 12

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Cor 9:19-22 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
This is an interesting passage of scripture that describes the Apostle Paul’s philosophy of ministry. He says that when ministering among Jews he followed their Law and customs. When ministering among those of other cultures, he would follow their customs. By complying with the customs of others—by making himself “a servant to all” (v. 19)—it was his desire to win more people for Christ (v. 19). “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (v. 22).

An initial observation might be to think Paul lacked conviction. How could he be all things to all people? How could he live one way in one culture and live differently in another culture? Where’s the conviction of belief in a way of life and behavior? Aren’t some things right and some things wrong? The parenthetical note in verse 21 should put to rest any confusion as to Paul’s convictions. He explains that he is not dissing the law of God, rather embracing the law toward Christ who died to save men and women of all tribes, tongues, nations and cultures.

APPLICATION:
Christ’s Church today often struggles with these concepts. How do we balance the concept of standing up for right behavior (morality) and shunning wrong behavior (immorality), with the concept of extending Christlike love, acceptance and forgiveness to all people regardless of their behavior?

Let me pose a scenario for any Christians reading this blog to consider: Suppose God called you to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a far away culture of people. In this culture the normal courting process involves boys and girls pairing off when they come of age and engaging in sexual intercourse. When they find someone with whom they feel compatible they make a home together. Finally, after living together for a considerable period of time and discovering that they want to maintain an exclusive relationship, their marriage is solemnized by a ceremony conducted by one of the authorities of their people. In order to bring the gospel to these people how important would it be to convince them to change the ways of their culture in regard to premarital sex? Could these people be saved and become mature, convinced and convincing followers of Jesus Christ without changing this aspect of their culture? Now realize that this is not a description of a far away culture, but of today’s post modern American culture.

How do we adapt to a changing culture that we “might win the more” (v. 19), without compromising the Gospel of Christ?

I pose the question but I'm not sure I have a precise answer; however, I do have an opinion. I think it is important for us to separate what is truly the biblical gospel of Christ from the traditional mindset of culture. How a society accepts or determines the courting process is not as important as the fact that they need to accept Christ. But we also need to recognize the difference between what is culture and what is sinful behavior. In regard the scenario given above, God's Word does have something to say about sexual relations outside of marriage, but other than that, how people court from one culture to another may be quite different. I say lead them to Christ and let the Holy Spirit deal with conviction of sin.

I invite the thoughts of others who may read this journal entry.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for loving and saving an unworthy sinner such as myself. It is my desire to help lead many others to gain a personal relationship with You too. Help me to minister in the same way as Christ, who sought fellowship with all people, yet without sin.
Through Christ and for God’s glory. Amen. -AP

Knowing by the Spirit

2009-03-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

2009-03-17 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34, 1 Corinthians 2

Title: “Knowing by the Spirit”
Topic: Teaching/Preaching

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:5 & 12

5 …your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Cor 2:5 NKJV)

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Cor 2:12 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
Some things may only be discerned and known spiritually. The Apostle Paul, in this chapter of 1 Corinthians, declares that his teaching and preaching were not derived from, “human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (v. 4). Paul was indeed an intellectual man and highly educated. However, he realized that his intellect and studies were less important than having the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit propelling his preaching and teaching. It was more important to hear and be led by the Holy Spirit than to rely upon his own humanly acquired wisdom.

APPLICATION:
The application for any who would serve the Lord as a preacher or teacher is that they certainly must study and develop the mental and speaking gifts God has given them. But woe to you if you rely only on those gifts and do not grow and learn and speak under the Holy Spirit’s anointing and direction.

PRAYER:
Lord, grant unto me the fullness of Your Spirit. As I study, may my intellect be sharpened and my knowledge increased. May my studies be guided and enlightened by Your Spirit. I realize that of greater importance than my intellectual development is my spiritual development. May spiritual discernment and wisdom from You always accompany my teaching and preaching, that those who hear may also receive more than the impartation of knowledge, but spiritually receive of Your love, power and wisdom.
Through Christ. Amen. -AP

Responsibility of Prosperity

2009-03-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

2009-03-10 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 13-15, Galatians 1

Title: “Responsibility of Prosperity”
Topic: Fear of God

SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 15:6

6 …you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you. (Deuteronomy 15:6 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
This is a lesson in the responsibility of prosperity. God does not bless us just so we alone may enjoy the blessing, He blesses us that we may be a blessing to others. I believe this is one of the reasons God’s blessings have been upon the USA for so long. We are still the most prosperous nation on earth today. We, as a nation, give generous aid to many other nations, many of whom seem ungrateful, but we still help them. We take the responsibility to lead the world without dominating, and we will not allow other nations to dictate to us.

APPLICATION:
The USA must ever continue to be good as a nation—perpetuating good godly principles. If the majority of our plurality arrives to the place of denying God and His ways, the government of the people (the majority of which do not believe in God) will become a government that expels God and therefore willfully does not seek His blessing. Some think we’re already at that point, or perilously close to it. The cynical eye can see our nation slipping from the place of responsible prosperity in many ways. We do still “lend to many nations,” but with a national debt that is being increased by the trillions of dollars, we are becoming hugely over-indebted to other nations from whom we “borrow” (especially Communist China).

I do not personally believe all is lost for America. I personally still believe in the primary goodness of our country. But in the face of the trends we are witnessing, it behooves Christians everywhere to share the truth of Jesus Christ with our neighbors in effective and convincing ways. That does not mean pushy heavy-handed ways; but rather, fresh bold Holy Spirit inspired ways). If believers become the minority, our nation will likely go the way of the majority. Very sobering food for thought and prayer.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to lead people to You. Help me to help raise up leaders who will lead people to You and who will raise up even more leaders who will lead people to You. Give us a fresh wind of Your Holy Spirit in these perilous days, that the United States of America will continue to prosper, generously give, wisely lead in the fear of God, and engender Your continued blessings for generations to come.
In Jesus’ name. Amen. -AP

Provide for the Pastor

2009-03-09T01:50:00.000-07:00

2009-03-09 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 10-12, Mark 16

Title: “Provide for the Pastor”
Topic: Tithing

SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 12:19

19 Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite… (Deuteronomy 12:19 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
The Levites were the priests. They were the ministers—the pastors. Because of God’s calling to the positions they held, they did not have land of their own. They served full-time as ministers to the people and had no means to provide for themselves. Their sustenance was to be provided by the people they served. The people were admonished to make sure their ministers were well provided for. There were twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of the Levites was set aside to serve in the priesthood. That means that there was roughly one minister for every eleven people. If the people faithfully gave a tithe of their income, that would be just enough to provide for the Levites and care for the tabernacle or temple.

APPLICATION:
The same principle holds true today. It is the people’s responsibility before God to make sure their pastors maintain a good standard of living. Under these provisions it is absolutely necessary that everyone, without exception, bring their tithes (10%) to present to the Lord. If they do not, their ministers will necessarily have to live below the average standard of living of the people they serve.

PRAYER:
Lord, even though I am called to serve as a minister, albeit currently without a parish, I know this principle applies to me too. I joyfully bring my tithes to You. Yet, as a minister, help me to teach this truth to others without seeming to be self-serving.
For Your sake and for the blessing of Your people. Amen. -AP

Stay Awake

2009-03-07T22:42:00.000-08:00

2009-03-07 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 5-6, Psalm 43, Mark 14

Title: “Stay Awake”
Topic: Spiritual Awareness

SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:38

38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
Previous to Jesus speaking these words, He had informed His disciples that one of them would betray Him. Their first response was for each of them to wonder if they could possibly be the one (vv. 18-19). A little later that evening Jesus told them that they all would stumble and flee Him. Their response to this was that they would all stand by Him and die with Him (vv. 27-31). He then went to the Garden of Gethsemane and asked them to watch and pray, but they all fell asleep (vv. 32-41).

APPLICATION:
I say I love the Lord and will serve Him no matter what. I say I will stand up for and even die for my faith in Him. Yet, deep inside, I wonder, like the disciples, could I possibly betray or deny Him to save my own flesh? My spirit is indeed willing, but my flesh is weak. How can I combat the weakness of my flesh? Jesus says the way to do that—to keep the spirit stronger than the flesh—is to “watch and pray” (v. 38). I must not be oblivious to what is going on around me (sleeping); I must be alert (awake) and pray.

PRAYER:
Lord, I am willing. Help me in my weakness.
In the strength and power of Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. -AP

Hosanna!

2009-03-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

2009-03-04 Today’s Reading: Numbers 34-36, Mark 11

Title: “Hosanna!”
Topic: Worship

SCRIPTURE: Mark 11:7-10

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“ Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 10:29-30 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
In our previous readings from the book of Mark in past few days (Mark 1-10) we may have noted that as Jesus went about ministering to people, performing healings and miracles and signs and wonders, His popularity among the general population had grown while, at the same time, the scribes and Pharisees had grown to despise Him all the more. Because of their jealousy, pride, arrogance and hate-filled hearts, the Jewish religious leaders and teachers of the Law had grown increasingly antagonistic toward Jesus. As we come to Mark 11, this is where we find the historical Jesus—loved and adored by the people—hated and despised by the established religious leaders.

When we read and visualize this scene (vv. 7-10) of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy), it is hard to imagine that in less than a week’s time He would be crucified and buried in the tomb. This is the event we celebrate on Palm Sunday as we recount the incident of the adoring crowds worshipping and honoring Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” and the waving of palm branches. “Hosanna” is a word of exaltation and adoration. It was shouted by the multitudes in worship and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and King. One week later, on what we celebrate today as Easter Sunday, Jesus would rise victoriously from death, hell and the grave.

APPLICATION:
May we always be on the side of those worshipping and adoring our Lord and Savior, and never slip into the error of making religion replace relationship with Him.

PRAYER:
My Lord and Savior, the Christ, the Messiah, I join in worship, praise and thanksgiving to You. Hosanna in the highest! Amen. -AP

Blessing and Persecution

2009-03-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

2009-03-03 Today’s Reading: Numbers 32-33, Mark 10

Title: “Blessing and Persecution”
Topic: Service

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:29-30

29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
I am struck in this passage by the inclusion of two words in v. 30, “with persecutions.” This is a wonderful promise by Jesus that in return for whatever we give up for Him and the Gospel, we will receive multiplied blessings in this lifetime. However, in this lifetime will also come “persecutions.” Then, “in the age to come,” when this earthly life is over, will come the blessing of “eternal life.”

APPLICATION:
I’m certainly grateful for the gift of eternal life in the age to come, and the promise of blessings this side of heaven is certainly appealing. If the Lord could have just left out the part about persecutions, most Christians would probably make this one of the memory verses they quote often.

The truth is that with increased dedication to the Lord will come multiplied blessings and multiplied persecutions. This begs us to ask the self-reflective question: Am I serving the Lord to receive the blessings or because I am whole-heartedly sold out for Him regardless of the consequences?

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your unmatched love and Your gracious blessings. May I serve You with a pure and sold out heart. May persecutions never dampen my resolve to serve You, but rather strengthen my determination.
For Your glory and Your kingdom. Amen. -AP

Hear Him!

2009-03-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

2009-03-02 Today’s Reading: Numbers 30-31, Mark 9

Title: “Hear Him!”
Topic: Spiritual Hearing

SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:7

7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Mark 9:7 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
How good is your hearing? Sometimes in the physical, people have hearing deficiencies. Especially when people get older, their hearing may become a little dulled. At the age of 59 I’ve already noticed that my hearing isn’t as good as it used to be. In a noisy restaurant for example, I find I have to really lean in and give focused concentration to the person across the table from me in order to understand what they are saying. Sometimes, however, people don’t hear because they’re just not listening. Rather than asking, “How good is your hearing?” perhaps a better question would be, “How good is your listening?”

I overheard a couple of older gentlemen talking once. One guy was worried about his wife and was telling his friend, “My wife has begun talking to herself a lot lately.” His friend just laughed and said, “My wife’s been talking to herself for years, but she doesn’t know it. She thinks I’m listening.”

The NIV version of Mark 9:7 reads like this:

7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" (Mark 9:7 NIV)

APPLICATION:
Do you ever hear someone without paying any attention to them? I guess husbands are famous for that aren’t they? One reason we may not hear Jesus is that we just aren’t listening. Another reason, however, may be because our hearing has been damaged. Just as in the physical, people may be experiencing some hearing loss without even realizing it, the same thing could have happened to some of us spiritually. Just as injury, infection, etc. can physically damage your ears; past hurts or misunderstandings, pride, arrogance, un-repented sin, etc. can damage your spiritual hearing. Sometimes we just need to make the conscious decision to listen for the Lord’s voice. Sometimes we need to be healed of a hearing blockage.

PRAYER:
Lord, I want to hear You! Forgive me for the times when I have been guilty of not listening to Your voice. And heal me of any conditions that may be blocking or dulling my spiritual hearing.
Through Christ my Savior, my Healer, and the One who directs my path. Amen. -AP

Sacrifice of Love or Hatred?

2009-02-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

2009-02-28 Today’s Reading: Numbers 24-27, 1 Corinthians 13

Title: “Sacrifice of Love or Hatred?”
Topic: Love

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 13:3

Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter in the Bible, offers the most beautiful description of the virtues of true love—God’s kind of love—the kind of love people should demonstrate toward each other; love that always seeks the best for others and never evil.

In my reading today, verse 3 particularly drew my attention. What a message to any who, under the excuse of religion, would be driven by hatred and destruction. To any terrorist who believes that the sacrifice of their own body to the fires of suicide bombing will bring them seventy virgins and eternal rewards in paradise, God gives this message: If you don’t have love, you won’t gain anything! Compare these self-sacrifices to the sacrifice of Christ driven only and entirely by love.

APPLICATION:
Love does not seek the harm or destruction of others. That is true whether the people happen to be Arab Muslims or American Christians. Does this mean that all war is wrong? This is a difficult question to ponder. Perhaps we should consider the question of whether the driving force is hatred for enemies or protection of ourselves and others from evil enemies. Are we driven by hatred or love? And that is ultimately a question to be answered by individual hearts rather than nations. Food for thought.

PRAYER:
Lord, May I ever be driven by love—Your kind of love.
Through Christ. Amen. -AP

Liberation!

2009-02-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

2009-02-26 Today’s Reading: Numbers 19-20, Psalm 28, Mark 5

Title: “Liberation!”
Topic: Deliverance

SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:1-20 (particularly verses 18-20)

18 And when He (Jesus) got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5:18-20 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
I love this story of Jesus delivering the demoniac. In my book, The Power and Promises of THE NAME Jesus* I devote one chapter to the subject of deliverance. This story from the Gospel of Mark (also recorded in Luke 8) provides the backdrop for my discourse on deliverance. There is so much in this narrative that it is difficult to choose just one aspect to write about in this short devotion; so let us notice one interesting insight we may derive from verses 18-20.

It is interesting to note that this man, whom Jesus delivered from a heinous and long term bondage to probably thousands of evil spirits, wanted to go with Jesus. But Jesus told him, “No.” Instead Jesus commissioned him to stay and share the testimony of what the Lord had done for him to those in his home region (v. 19). The Bible doesn’t tell us what became of this man, but we do know that some years later the apostle Paul traveled through this region on one of his missionary journeys. Could this man’s ministry have been a significant factor in preparing the way for the spreading of the gospel later?

APPLICATION:
Let us consider for a moment what essentially characterizes deliverance. When the postman delivers your mail, is he delivering mail to you, or from those who sent it? When the obstetrician delivers a baby, is he delivering the child from the womb, or to the arms of his mother? Is deliverance from bondage, or to liberty? The obvious answer to all of these questions is that it is both. Deliverance is never just from something. It is a transition from one place, state or condition to another. The demon-possessed man in this passage of scripture was miraculously delivered from a legion of demons, but what and where was he delivered to? Jesus said, “No, you can’t come with me. You are to stay here and share your testimony with the people of your own country” (v. 19). Jesus delivered him FROM demon possession and TO an evangelistic ministry.

Let us not make the mistake of only looking to the Lord for what we wish to be delivered from, but also be willing to go where He chooses to deliver us to.

PRAYER:
Lord I thank and praise You for the liberation You bring. You have liberated me from the bondage of sin and death and given me eternal life through my simple act of faith and belief in You. My salvation is a deliverance from death to life! In return, I declare my willingness to go wherever You choose to deliver me.
In Jesus’ name. Amen. –AP

* NOTE: The Power and Promises of THE NAME Jesus is undergoing final preparations with the publisher at this moment. It should be released very soon for general distribution to booksellers. Watch for announcements at www.andypruitt.com

The Voice of God Towards Me

2009-02-25T23:56:00.000-08:00

2009-02-25 Today’s Reading: Numbers 17-18, Psalm 29, Mark 4

Title: “The Voice of God Towards Me”
Topic: God’s Power and Love

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 29

1 Give unto the Lord , O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:
The 29th Psalm is another psalm of David. One clear observation is David’s redundant use of the phrase, “The voice of the Lord.” What is interesting to note is that each mention of the Lord’s voice is a demonstration of action and power by the Lord. The expression here is the recognition that when God speaks powerful things happen. When God gives voice to something it is an expression of His will, and His will is more powerful and overcomes any other force period! Just as in the beginning when God spoke, creation happened. Genesis 1 repeatedly states, “And God said… And it was so.”

David poetically states, “God is all powerful and all authoritative (v. 4). His power can reduce the mighty cedars to mere splinters (v. 5). His power can cause the earth to quake (v. 8). He can quench the fiery eruptions right from the midst of them (v. 7). His power brings life (v. 9). And His power is eternal (v. 10). By His voice—His will—His power—He can bring peace to his own children at any time and in the midst of any situation (v. 11).

APPLICATION:
This psalm is a wonderful expression of how much we should be able to trust the Lord through anything. No matter what other powerful forces may seem to come against us, He can give us strength and bring us peace right in the midst of it (v. 11). And we can join with David in giving Him glory and worship (vv. 1-2).

PRAYER:
Almighty God, I worship You. You are so mighty and I am so small; yet Your love for me offers Your blessing and peace to me even in the midst of raging forces that shake my world and would utterly destroy me if not for Your voice of favor and protection over me. May I ever be worthy of Your voice speaking in my favor.
Through Jesus Christ and for Your glory. Amen. -AP