Judges 1:7 "Then Adoni-Bezek said, 'Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have picked up scraps under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.'"
The Israelites are attempting to rid the promised land of all inhabitants. In the process they capture Adoni-Bezek and cut off his thumbs and big toes. He realizes he has done this kind of thing to others in the past and accepts his fate.
You can kind of see some karma here in Judges 1! I don't think the Bible teaches the principle of karma, but there may be some truth to "what goes around comes around." If nothing else, Adoni-Bezek was able to see that maybe he deserved what he had coming. So, what have I been spreading around? What's due to me? Have I been spreading good karma or bad karma? I want to live the kind of life that when good things happen, people can say I deserved it!
Dear Jesus, help me love, serve, and be kind to others. Remind me that my actions have future consequences. Amen.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
More than a Sign
Joshua 24:15 "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua is about to die and is passing on some final words to his people. He reminds them of the covenant they have with God and what blessings and curses may await them. He challenges them to decide now, once and for all, who they will serve.
This verse is one of the most quoted and most "turned into a cheesy wall decoration" in history. I remember my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends homes had wooden wall hangings with this verse on it. I don't have this wall art in my house. Sure it would be nice, but I hope this is the kind of thing that is in our hearts. My hope is that this verse is displayed through my family's actions whether there is a sign or not. I pray that my family will draw a line in the sand and choose to follow Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help my family serve you, even in the absence of a sign. Amen.
Joshua is about to die and is passing on some final words to his people. He reminds them of the covenant they have with God and what blessings and curses may await them. He challenges them to decide now, once and for all, who they will serve.
This verse is one of the most quoted and most "turned into a cheesy wall decoration" in history. I remember my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends homes had wooden wall hangings with this verse on it. I don't have this wall art in my house. Sure it would be nice, but I hope this is the kind of thing that is in our hearts. My hope is that this verse is displayed through my family's actions whether there is a sign or not. I pray that my family will draw a line in the sand and choose to follow Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help my family serve you, even in the absence of a sign. Amen.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Faithful at the Community Center
Joshua 21:45 "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
Joshua and the Israelites had just finished dividing up the land. Each tribe had a portion of the land set aside for them. God had fulfilled his promise to the Israelites and they now enjoyed a time of peace.
God is faithful. As I look back throughout my life, I see that God has always been faithful to me. His timing may not be my timing, but he is always faithful. In my family and friends lives God also has proven to be faithful and true. So when I have a hard time trusting in him I must realize the problem in the equation is me, not God. He is faithful, I am too often not. Too often my trust is flawed. Tonight during the lock in, I need to trust God and know that he is good and faithful.
Dear Jesus, help me trust in your faithfulness tonight at the Shoreview Community Center! Amen.
Joshua and the Israelites had just finished dividing up the land. Each tribe had a portion of the land set aside for them. God had fulfilled his promise to the Israelites and they now enjoyed a time of peace.
God is faithful. As I look back throughout my life, I see that God has always been faithful to me. His timing may not be my timing, but he is always faithful. In my family and friends lives God also has proven to be faithful and true. So when I have a hard time trusting in him I must realize the problem in the equation is me, not God. He is faithful, I am too often not. Too often my trust is flawed. Tonight during the lock in, I need to trust God and know that he is good and faithful.
Dear Jesus, help me trust in your faithfulness tonight at the Shoreview Community Center! Amen.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
War
Joshua 11:20 "For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses."
Joshua is busy kicking butt and taking names. He wages war and destroys several cities and groups of people.
I may never fully understand why God "hardened their hearts" and seemingly manipulated these wars. I trust he had his reasons. I do believe God is saddened by war today. And today the US finds itself in three wars-Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Libya. Yes, Libya may not be the definition of an all out war, but it still is a military conflict we are in. When will it end? Maybe the questions isn't when will it end but who will end war? Ultimately it is Jesus who gives us lasting and real peace. In times of war, we must fight for peace, and put our trust in the peace that Jesus provides.
Dear Jesus, I pray for the innocent ones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya today. I also pray for our enemies. Protect them all and reveal yourself to them. Amen.
Joshua is busy kicking butt and taking names. He wages war and destroys several cities and groups of people.
I may never fully understand why God "hardened their hearts" and seemingly manipulated these wars. I trust he had his reasons. I do believe God is saddened by war today. And today the US finds itself in three wars-Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Libya. Yes, Libya may not be the definition of an all out war, but it still is a military conflict we are in. When will it end? Maybe the questions isn't when will it end but who will end war? Ultimately it is Jesus who gives us lasting and real peace. In times of war, we must fight for peace, and put our trust in the peace that Jesus provides.
Dear Jesus, I pray for the innocent ones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya today. I also pray for our enemies. Protect them all and reveal yourself to them. Amen.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sun Stand Still
Joshua 10: 14 "There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man..."
Joshua and the Israelites are busy kicking butt and taking names in Canaan. At this point, they are chasing down some enemies and Joshua calls out for God to make the "sun stand still" so they can continue the fighting and mop up on the armies of the Amorites.
This verse says that the "Lord listened to a man." Does God listen to me? What kinds of things am I asking of God? Are they his will? Are they honorable? Do I have faith that he will hear me? In what ways do I need the sun to stand still? Am I brave enough and faithful enough to ask?
Dear Jesus, I pray that you will make the sun stand still for me as I reach more young people for you. Give me more time, more creativity, more passion, and literally more hours in the day for you to work through me. Amen.
Joshua and the Israelites are busy kicking butt and taking names in Canaan. At this point, they are chasing down some enemies and Joshua calls out for God to make the "sun stand still" so they can continue the fighting and mop up on the armies of the Amorites.
This verse says that the "Lord listened to a man." Does God listen to me? What kinds of things am I asking of God? Are they his will? Are they honorable? Do I have faith that he will hear me? In what ways do I need the sun to stand still? Am I brave enough and faithful enough to ask?
Dear Jesus, I pray that you will make the sun stand still for me as I reach more young people for you. Give me more time, more creativity, more passion, and literally more hours in the day for you to work through me. Amen.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
A Melt Down
Joshua 7:5 "...At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water."
The Israelites had just conquered Jericho in a mighty way. During the conquest, Achan takes some plunder secretly for himself bringing a curse on the nation. Days later when they set out to conquer Ai, they get routed and the Israelites (Joshua included) melt down and lose hope.
How quickly do I lose hope and want to give up when things go bad? I think I get frustrated and freak out a bit too soon sometimes when faced with adversity. I forget that God is bigger than my setbacks and inconveniences. And as in the case of the Israelites and Achan, there is usually a reason things fail! I need to take a deep breath, relax, ask if I did anything wrong, and then trust in God. This is a faithful way to live.
Dear Jesus, help me to not melt and become like water in the face of adversity. Amen.
The Israelites had just conquered Jericho in a mighty way. During the conquest, Achan takes some plunder secretly for himself bringing a curse on the nation. Days later when they set out to conquer Ai, they get routed and the Israelites (Joshua included) melt down and lose hope.
How quickly do I lose hope and want to give up when things go bad? I think I get frustrated and freak out a bit too soon sometimes when faced with adversity. I forget that God is bigger than my setbacks and inconveniences. And as in the case of the Israelites and Achan, there is usually a reason things fail! I need to take a deep breath, relax, ask if I did anything wrong, and then trust in God. This is a faithful way to live.
Dear Jesus, help me to not melt and become like water in the face of adversity. Amen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Kind of Like Moses
Deut. 34: 12 "For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel."
Moses has led his people from slavery in Egypt to the border of the promised land. Due to some previous sins, Moses is not allowed entry in. Instead, Moses dies here on Mt. Nebo overlooking the land God promised to his people.
Moses is remembered as a great man who did mighty and powerful things for Israel. Great words and a great memorial surrounded his death. Will the same be done and said for me? Do I care? Should I care? I hope I live a life worthy of the kind of remembrance Moses received but not for that reason. Moses relied on God and trusted him despite the circumstances. I may not ever be Moses but I can also rely on and trust in God today.
Dear Jesus, help me be more like Moses and more importantly, more like you today. Amen.
Moses has led his people from slavery in Egypt to the border of the promised land. Due to some previous sins, Moses is not allowed entry in. Instead, Moses dies here on Mt. Nebo overlooking the land God promised to his people.
Moses is remembered as a great man who did mighty and powerful things for Israel. Great words and a great memorial surrounded his death. Will the same be done and said for me? Do I care? Should I care? I hope I live a life worthy of the kind of remembrance Moses received but not for that reason. Moses relied on God and trusted him despite the circumstances. I may not ever be Moses but I can also rely on and trust in God today.
Dear Jesus, help me be more like Moses and more importantly, more like you today. Amen.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
The Truth Hurts
Deut. 31:16 "And the Lord said to Moses: 'You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering.'"
Moses is about to die so God calls him and Joshua into a private meeting in the tabernacle. He tells them that yes, Moses is going to die and shortly thereafter, the people will "prostitute" themselves and turn from God.
I found this passage interesting because Joshua was standing right there! It was one thing to tell Moses, who was about to die anyway, that the people will soon rebel, but it was quite another to tell Joshua. God just got done telling Joshua earlier in chapter 31 to be brave and courageous as the new leader. I'm sure God's disappointing prophesy did much to bolster his courage and enthusiasm! What do I take from this? God has his ways and he calls 'em like he sees 'em. He does not sugar coat things or coddle us. He is in the truth telling business no matter if it hurts. I can learn from this.
Dear Jesus, help me speak truth-even when it hurts. Amen.
Moses is about to die so God calls him and Joshua into a private meeting in the tabernacle. He tells them that yes, Moses is going to die and shortly thereafter, the people will "prostitute" themselves and turn from God.
I found this passage interesting because Joshua was standing right there! It was one thing to tell Moses, who was about to die anyway, that the people will soon rebel, but it was quite another to tell Joshua. God just got done telling Joshua earlier in chapter 31 to be brave and courageous as the new leader. I'm sure God's disappointing prophesy did much to bolster his courage and enthusiasm! What do I take from this? God has his ways and he calls 'em like he sees 'em. He does not sugar coat things or coddle us. He is in the truth telling business no matter if it hurts. I can learn from this.
Dear Jesus, help me speak truth-even when it hurts. Amen.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Heart Surgery
Deut. 30:6 "The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live."
Deuteronomy chapter 28 is rough. It contains a bunch of curses for the people of God if they turn from him. Chapter 30 is pretty sweet. It contains some blessings for the people if they turn towards him. And in verse six God tells them that he will circumcise their hearts.
Circumcision was a physical sign that the people belonged to God. Here God promises to circumcise hearts. And that's really what he's after most anyway-our hearts. Where is my heart today? Yes I am getting good at the "Do's and Don't List" of Christianity. And that's all well and good, but where is my heart? Is my heart circumcised and set apart for my savior? I need to start there and let the list take care of itself.
Dear Jesus, help my heart to be set apart for you and you alone. Amen.
Deuteronomy chapter 28 is rough. It contains a bunch of curses for the people of God if they turn from him. Chapter 30 is pretty sweet. It contains some blessings for the people if they turn towards him. And in verse six God tells them that he will circumcise their hearts.
Circumcision was a physical sign that the people belonged to God. Here God promises to circumcise hearts. And that's really what he's after most anyway-our hearts. Where is my heart today? Yes I am getting good at the "Do's and Don't List" of Christianity. And that's all well and good, but where is my heart? Is my heart circumcised and set apart for my savior? I need to start there and let the list take care of itself.
Dear Jesus, help my heart to be set apart for you and you alone. Amen.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Who I Am
Deut. 24: 18 "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there..."
As God is giving his people the law, he reminds them every so often that they were once slaves in Egypt and that it was He who rescued them.
God wants us to be humble and grounded. God wants us to remember who we are and where we came from. Yes we were created in God's image and he has an awesome purpose for our lives, but we are also sinful people who only by the grace and mercy of God have salvation and hope. It's a lovely tension we must live in. We cannot swing too far either way on this "self perception pendulum." Occasionally I need to be reminded I was created in God's image and am loved. But more often than not, I need to be reminded of my sinfulness and total dependence in Christ. How do I need to be humbled today?
Dear Jesus, help me remember exactly who I am and exactly who you are. And help me not confuse the two. Amen.
As God is giving his people the law, he reminds them every so often that they were once slaves in Egypt and that it was He who rescued them.
God wants us to be humble and grounded. God wants us to remember who we are and where we came from. Yes we were created in God's image and he has an awesome purpose for our lives, but we are also sinful people who only by the grace and mercy of God have salvation and hope. It's a lovely tension we must live in. We cannot swing too far either way on this "self perception pendulum." Occasionally I need to be reminded I was created in God's image and am loved. But more often than not, I need to be reminded of my sinfulness and total dependence in Christ. How do I need to be humbled today?
Dear Jesus, help me remember exactly who I am and exactly who you are. And help me not confuse the two. Amen.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Hung on a Tree
Deut. 21: 23 "...anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse..."
Deuteronomy is a book of laws. In chapter 21, it is said that a man executed by hanging should be buried the same day because "anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse." And if someone (or something like a dead body) is under God's curse-well you want that to disappear real fast!
This statement is referred to in Galatians because Jesus was also "hung on tree" so to speak. So Jesus, on the cross, was under God's curse. God's wrath was on Jesus. That's orthodox Christianity 101 I guess. So God is pretty pissed, he takes it out on Jesus, and Jesus saves us from...God? Is that how it works? Rob Bell poses this question (as well as others) in an upcoming book due out end of March that has caused some serious controversy. I can't wait to read it! Did Jesus really save us from God? Is that what God is like? I could list 50,000 more questions that snowball from here.
Dear Jesus, help me today to put my faith in you even though I don't have all the answers. Amen.
Deuteronomy is a book of laws. In chapter 21, it is said that a man executed by hanging should be buried the same day because "anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse." And if someone (or something like a dead body) is under God's curse-well you want that to disappear real fast!
This statement is referred to in Galatians because Jesus was also "hung on tree" so to speak. So Jesus, on the cross, was under God's curse. God's wrath was on Jesus. That's orthodox Christianity 101 I guess. So God is pretty pissed, he takes it out on Jesus, and Jesus saves us from...God? Is that how it works? Rob Bell poses this question (as well as others) in an upcoming book due out end of March that has caused some serious controversy. I can't wait to read it! Did Jesus really save us from God? Is that what God is like? I could list 50,000 more questions that snowball from here.
Dear Jesus, help me today to put my faith in you even though I don't have all the answers. Amen.
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