Acts 4:27, 28 "...For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will."
Peter and John have been brought for interrogation before the religious leaders for healing a crippled man. The leaders try to get them to stop spreading the news of Jesus but fearing a riot if they punished Peter and John, they eventually were let go. Upon their release, Peter and John join many of the other followers of Jesus and praise God for all he has done. In their celebration, they said these words in verses 27, 28.
In the disciples opinion, all the powers of the world conspired against Jesus, but failed. And nothing they did was unknown by God. It all happened according to his will, so that he would be glorified. Today, nothing is happening that God doesn't know about or care about. In fact, somehow, it all works out for his will. There is nothing any political leader or terrorist group can do that ultimately will thwart God's will. He is the king and he has the power. Today I place my hope and my trust in him.
Dear God, help me trust you and follow you today. Amen.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
Wisdom is Greater than Rubies
Proverbs 8:11 "For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it."
Solomon says that wisdom is more valuable than riches, wealth or anything else in all the world. I wish everyone (including me) could really grasp this proverb and live it. Our world (and current presidential candidates) could use an extra dose of wisdom!
I also need more wisdom. I am facing several decisions and I am needing to navigate a few different situations that require some extra wisdom. I need to rely not on my own thoughts and ideas, but instead I need to meditate on God's word and ask for his supernatural wisdom.
God help me this week as I make decisions and as I spend my time and money. Help me make wise choices and rely on your truth. Amen.
Solomon says that wisdom is more valuable than riches, wealth or anything else in all the world. I wish everyone (including me) could really grasp this proverb and live it. Our world (and current presidential candidates) could use an extra dose of wisdom!
I also need more wisdom. I am facing several decisions and I am needing to navigate a few different situations that require some extra wisdom. I need to rely not on my own thoughts and ideas, but instead I need to meditate on God's word and ask for his supernatural wisdom.
God help me this week as I make decisions and as I spend my time and money. Help me make wise choices and rely on your truth. Amen.
Thursday, March 03, 2016
Generous Habits
Deuteronomy 24:21 "When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don't glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans and widows."
The Lord, via Moses, is telling the Israelites to be mindful of others. He tells them if they forget about a bundle of grain out in the field, don't go back for it. Leave it for someone else. When they harvest olives and grapes, they should harvest well, but not go through the vines a second time. What they missed, can be a meal for someone who needs it more than they do. God is trying to develop generous habits for his people.
So often today, we pinch every penny, take all we can get, and live pretty selfishly. God wants me to overlook certain things so I can leave some for others. How can I live out Deut. 24:21 in 2016?
The key with all of this, as in everything else in life, is that this must become a habit. That is in fact what God is doing in Deut. 24. He is developing habits with his people. How can I develop better generosity habits today?
God, help me to be more generous. Help me to develop the proper habits to be generous this week. Amen.
The Lord, via Moses, is telling the Israelites to be mindful of others. He tells them if they forget about a bundle of grain out in the field, don't go back for it. Leave it for someone else. When they harvest olives and grapes, they should harvest well, but not go through the vines a second time. What they missed, can be a meal for someone who needs it more than they do. God is trying to develop generous habits for his people.
So often today, we pinch every penny, take all we can get, and live pretty selfishly. God wants me to overlook certain things so I can leave some for others. How can I live out Deut. 24:21 in 2016?
- I could give away my extra change instead of always putting it in my piggy bank.
- I could buy an extra item or two at the grocery store and give it to the food shelf.
- I could re-wear clothes so I do less laundry and save water for others.
- I could ride my bike or walk and save gas for others.
- I could drink from real mugs and glasses and save plastic for others (and the earth).
The key with all of this, as in everything else in life, is that this must become a habit. That is in fact what God is doing in Deut. 24. He is developing habits with his people. How can I develop better generosity habits today?
God, help me to be more generous. Help me to develop the proper habits to be generous this week. Amen.
Wednesday, March 02, 2016
Get There
Deuteronomy 15:10" Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do."
Before the Israelites enter the promised land, they are reviewing God's laws and in this chapter, God reminds them to care for the poor. They are to give generously and cheerfully as they care for the poor among them.
Currently at Crossroads, we are in a teaching series about money titled "Getting There." Our hope is that people will "get there" with their finances and by "get there" we mean a place of financial peace. A place where folks are not in debt or filled with worry and anxiety about their bills. We want people to get to a place where they are debt free and have savings so they can live free and give freely! The ultimate destination-the place to "get" is a place where we can generously and joyfully give to others-to charity, to the poor, and to those who need help. Am I "there" yet? Have I gotten "there" yet? We are very close! We are giving to Crossroads and sponsor three children with World Vision, but we still are not completely "there." My hope is in 2016 to get there. With God's help, and some hard work I know we can.
Dear Jesus, help me to honor you with what you have given me. Help me to "get there" so I can be a blessing to others. Help me to care for and provide for the poor with a glad heart. Amen.
Before the Israelites enter the promised land, they are reviewing God's laws and in this chapter, God reminds them to care for the poor. They are to give generously and cheerfully as they care for the poor among them.
Currently at Crossroads, we are in a teaching series about money titled "Getting There." Our hope is that people will "get there" with their finances and by "get there" we mean a place of financial peace. A place where folks are not in debt or filled with worry and anxiety about their bills. We want people to get to a place where they are debt free and have savings so they can live free and give freely! The ultimate destination-the place to "get" is a place where we can generously and joyfully give to others-to charity, to the poor, and to those who need help. Am I "there" yet? Have I gotten "there" yet? We are very close! We are giving to Crossroads and sponsor three children with World Vision, but we still are not completely "there." My hope is in 2016 to get there. With God's help, and some hard work I know we can.
Dear Jesus, help me to honor you with what you have given me. Help me to "get there" so I can be a blessing to others. Help me to care for and provide for the poor with a glad heart. Amen.
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