january 08
| Make Some Noise Matthew 20:29-34 29>As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30>Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 31>The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32>Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 33>"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." 34>Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Sometimes you have to make some noise! .......................................................................................................Thursday, January 31, 2008 Gotta Be A Servant Matthew 20:26-28 26>Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27>and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. If your desire is to be the leader God has designed you to be, then you must first be a servant. There is no other way! If your desire is to be great, then you must first be a servant. Christ Himself did not come to be served, but to serve. How much more, we as His servants, must be servants to all those who are before us. Despite your desire in the life God has allowed you, you gotta be a servant! ....................................................................................................Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Waiting For Tomorrow? Exodus 8:9-10 9>Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile." 10>"Tomorrow," Pharaoh said. Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God. Why wait for tomorrow! Why would anyone want to live one more day with the frogs? If I were given the opportunity to choose when the ‘plague of frogs’ was to be alleviated, it would obviously be right now. James explains (4:13-14)…Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. We have no promise of tomorrow. Why are we waiting for what tomorrow offers, when we can seize what God has for us today! ........................................................................................................Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Sometimes God says, “Take A Break” Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. When God says take a break, it’s time to take a break. There are times in our lives when we need to pull back (for a couple hours, a day off, two weeks vacation or even a sabbatical) and take some time off. This kind of time is ordained of God and enables us to maximize the lives He has given us. If we are not careful (sensitive to Him – seeking Him) He may step in and make us take a break. At times, He will do just that anyways! It’s OK to slow down, stop and rest for a while. Sometimes God says, “take a break!” .........................................................................................................Monday, January 28, 2008 Repetition Is A Great Teacher Matthew 18:19 Again, I (Jesus) tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Obviously Christ had spoken this truth at another time (or other times). This was something the Son of God certainly thought was worth mentioning again. If you could simply find one other person to align your faith with, then ask what you will (as long as it is His will you seek). The promise is that it will be done for you by your Father in heaven. If Christ thought it was worth repeating, then we ought to keep putting His Word to work. ..........................................................................................................Sunday, January 27, 2008 An Obscure Answer The Bible, namely translations like the NIV, footnotes certain passages that seem (to me) to have incredible ramifications. One such is Matthew 17:21…when Christ is responding to His disciples concerning a demon possessed boy…” However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” What Christ was saying is we will face situations in our lives and seek answers that can only be solved by prayer and fasting. I am ever reminded that 2008 is a year of new beginnings; for seven embodies completion and eight signifies a fresh start. So I encourage you to fast and pray as this New Year unfolds. God has a newness He is expressing and accomplishing this year and I refuse to miss it! ........................................................................................................Saturday, January 26, 2008 Turn It Around Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Romans 8:28 explains that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God says in all things, both the good and the bad, He is at work accomplishing His purposes. No weapon formed against you shall prosper…it is your heritage to be more than a conqueror. The enemy may come in like a flood, but God always raises a standard…His name is Jesus and He will always turn it around! ............................................................................................................Friday, January 25, 2008 The Blessing At The Cross Genesis 48:13-14 13>And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him. 14> But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. God has His own way of accomplishing His purposes. Typically it does not line up with our idea of what needs to be done. Christ had to go the cross and give His life so that we might have access to eternal life. Jacob (Israel) should have given the blessing to Manasseh the firstborn. However, he crossed his arms and gave the blessing to Ephraim. The cross symbolizes God’s actions and purposes at work in our lives. Though it may not make any natural sense, it is the eternal value we must consider. If you desire the blessing, go to the cross! .......................................................................................................Thursday, January 24, 2008 Ask And It Will Be Given Matthew 15:22-28 22>A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 23>Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24>He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 25>The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26>He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27>"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28>Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Jesus said ask and it will be given to you (Matthew 7:7). When digging a little deeper, we can easily find that ask would be better interpreted as asking. The best understanding would then be to keep asking and it will be given unto you. This Canaanite woman was persistent. Christ delayed the promise three times! Yet her determination, her faith combined with action, enabled Christ to act on her behalf. When all else fails, keep asking! ....................................................................................................Wednesday, January 23, 2008 You Feed Them Matthew 14:13-21 13>When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14>When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15>As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16>Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17>"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. 18>"Bring them here to me," he said. 19>And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20>They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21>The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. So often, as Christians, we get discouraged in our efforts to win the lost. We find ourselves in dry and lonely places. We find ourselves exasperated and running short on time. We find ourselves tapped out with seemingly nothing left to offer. We find ourselves embracing the idea of pushing the lost in another direction. However, Christ comes along (like HE did in this passage – like HE is right now) and explains we are to feed them. It is not someone else’s job, it is yours! Jesus says to bring them to HIM. Give Christ what you have and HE will take care of the rest. Where has our faith gone! It is in our weaknesses (deficiencies & inadequacies) that God perfects His strength. So, when all else fails, you feed them! ........................................................................................................Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Get Out Of Town Matthew 13:53-58 53>When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54>Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55>" Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56>Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57>And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58>And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. It is no wonder that nearly every great man and woman of God had to at some point in time get out of town. It seems that God’s purposes are best realized when we are out of our element. If you are interested in God maximizing His power in your life, then take a step of faith, escape comfort and you too may find yourself walking on water! ..........................................................................................................Monday, January 21 2008 Worth It All Matthew 13:45-46 45>"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46>When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. HE must be worth it all! ..........................................................................................................Sunday, January 20, 2008 More Is Coming Matthew 13:12 NIV Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. To those who Christ has revealed Himself, to those who have received the Son of the living God and to those who have pressed on; God explains you will have more than enough, an abundance. More is coming! ........................................................................................................Saturday, January 19, 2008 Put God First Psalm 16:8-11 ESV 8>I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9>Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10>For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11>You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. I must decrease and HE must increase. I must die, so HE can live. The only way to maximize our lives is to put God first. Always set Christ before you! You’ll be glad and your entire being will rejoice. HE will never leave you, nor forsake you. HE will guide you and provide for you. For in HIS presence there is fullness of joy. What an awesome promise…simply put HIM first! ............................................................................................................Friday, January 18, 2008 Standing Firm Psalm 15:1-2, 5 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart…He who does these things will never be shaken. Do the right things, say the right things and go to the right places. In other words, live in the righteousness He has given you, be righteous! For when you adhere to His Word, you will live and dwell with Him. You will, stand firm! .......................................................................................................Thursday, January 17, 2008 Just In Case You’re Weary And Tired Today! Matthew 11:28-30 28>"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ....................................................................................................Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Who Do You Love Matthew 10:37-38 37>"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38>and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Jesus Christ must be the centerpiece of our lives. We must love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. If Christ plays second, then we reap what we sow. Love Christ, follow Christ, serve Christ! Who do you love? ........................................................................................................Tuesday, January 15, 2008 When You Don’t Know What To Say Matthew 10:19-20 19>But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20>for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. James lets us know to be slow to speak and quick to listen. When it comes time for commentary, be patient and wait for God’s unique and perfect opportunity. You’ll be surprised (as I am typically) what God will say through you when you allow Him the opportunity! .........................................................................................................Monday, January 14, 2008 It’s Really Quite Simple And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity. When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:35-38 AMP ..........................................................................................................Sunday, January 13, 2008 Give Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 ........................................................................................................Saturday, January 12, 2008 Wisdom Be not wise in your own eyes…be wise through HIS eyes! Proverbs 3:7 ............................................................................................................Friday, January 11, 2008 Faith In Action James 2:17 explains…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. In today’s OYB (Genesis 24) we find Abraham’s servant being instructed to go to the area we understand as Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor to find a wife for Isaac. In arriving, the servant goes to the well at the time of day when the women go to draw water. As he is still praying, God sends Rebekah, the eventual wife of Isaac. A prayer is answered and the servant of Abraham praises God. This story wonderfully illustrates faith in action. The servant had to have faith in Abraham, who was in turn having faith in God. The servant had to combine obedience (a necessary ingredient of faith) with his faith and travel to a land unknown to him. He interestingly enough pursues a well (in this new land) at the time he knew women would be there. He knew of an opportune time for God to meet his need, and that is precisely where he heads. He was using wisdom (another key ingredient) alongside faith in order to NOT miss the promise of God. He could have sat in the middle of the dessert, fasted and refuse to not move until God provided. Instead he acted out every step of faith God provided and he ultimately experienced what it means to live a life of faith. He was putting his faith in action! .......................................................................................................Thursday, January 10, 2008 One Of Those Things One of those things I am asked about frequently, and to be quite honest, I contemplate myself is…how can an individual be used of God when they clearly are involved in things that are not of God??? I believe God offers yet another good answer in today’s OYB. Matthew 7:22-23 ESV 22>On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23>And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' Ultimately God can use anyone, at any time, anywhere He wants. He used Balaam’s donkey, yet we all can agree Balaam’s donkey was not super spiritual (or spiritual at all) (Numbers 22:21-34). Just because God uses someone, despite the capacity, does not mean they have the approval of God on their lives and they are headed to heaven! Just one of those things. ....................................................................................................Wednesday, January 09, 2008 Never Look Back As Lot was seemingly dragging his feet in light of the imminent destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God’s mercy and grace prevails yet once again. Genesis 19:17 ESV And as they (the two angels) brought them (Lot and his family) out, one said, "Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away." This message seems so clear and personal to me. In light of all that is behind me, and what the enemy (that is satan, just in case you are wondering) is so readily wanting to do; I must consider the life Christ has given me, push on to higher ground (both physically and spiritually), not look back and refuse to stop! It seems this is the story of my (our) life (lives)…never look back! ........................................................................................................Tuesday, January 08, 2008 Don’t Get Ahead Of God In today’s OYB I saw that as a leader I cannot get ahead of God. Abram and Sarai (prior to Abraham and Sarah) thought they would take matters into their own hands in order for the promise of God to be fulfilled. Genesis 16:3-4 3>So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. 4>And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. As a leader we must patiently submit to God’s plan. We must be convinced, without reservations, that God will do precisely what He said He would do. The moral of the story…don’t get ahead of God! .........................................................................................................Monday, January 07, 2008 It’s Mine Genesis 13:14-18 ESV 14>The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15>for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16>I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17>Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you." 18>So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. God spoke to me today and told me the land before me, this North County I inhabit, is mine. He told me to open my eyes and see His promise. He told me to arise and claim all that is around me. And so I will – it’s mine! ............................................................................................................Sunday, January 6, 2008 |