I wanted to remind all of you that God loves you today. His love is unfailing and has been demonstrated to us by his grace and mercy. I can't think of anything more reassuring than this fact: the God of the universe loves me. Carry that truth around with you today.
Psalm 86:5-13
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
5.09.2007
5.08.2007
God or Man? Psalm 146
The earth is fleeting, as are those who live on it. I've learned this lesson in life: Trust men and you will be disappointed; trust the Lord and you will be pleased. I know that's not tremendously profound, but it's a lesson that's so difficult to put into practice. I'm not saying you need to doubt everyone's motives and be an untrusting, cynical person. However, when it comes to deciding whether you'll trust a person or you'll trust the God of the universe there are some facts to consider. People do not live forever and they are not able to overcome every obstacle. However, the Lord is eternal and there is nothing He can't overcome. Seems like an easy call to me.
Psalm 146
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
Questions
1. Can you think of a situation where you trusted a person instead of God?
2. Why do you think it's so tempting to put our faith in people over God?
3. What will stick with you about this passage?
Psalm 146
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
Questions
1. Can you think of a situation where you trusted a person instead of God?
2. Why do you think it's so tempting to put our faith in people over God?
3. What will stick with you about this passage?
5.07.2007
Forgiveness. Exodus 34:4-11
If you've never read the book of Exodus, let me encourage you to chisel out a little time to sit down and work through this great narrative. You'll see both the justice and mercy of God at work in His people. This passage gives an insight into the story and into God's character. He has every right to punish these people, but, in His mercy, He relents.
Sometimes we have a way of thinking everyone else is a little worse than we are. We may have a couple of things we need to work on, but we're not nearly as bad as that group at school, or at work. Often times we are a stiff-necked people, like the Jews. Perhaps today is a good day to recognize the grace we need, and humble ourselves before God. It is then that He'll do the awesome work in our lives.
Exodus 34:4-11
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9 "O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes," he said, "then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."
10 Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.
Questions
1. Based on what you know about the Jews during this time, would you say we are more "stiff-necked" (stubborn) or less?
2. How does it feel to be in a covenant relationship with God?
3. What part of this passage will stick with you?
Sometimes we have a way of thinking everyone else is a little worse than we are. We may have a couple of things we need to work on, but we're not nearly as bad as that group at school, or at work. Often times we are a stiff-necked people, like the Jews. Perhaps today is a good day to recognize the grace we need, and humble ourselves before God. It is then that He'll do the awesome work in our lives.
Exodus 34:4-11
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9 "O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes," he said, "then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."
10 Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.
Questions
1. Based on what you know about the Jews during this time, would you say we are more "stiff-necked" (stubborn) or less?
2. How does it feel to be in a covenant relationship with God?
3. What part of this passage will stick with you?
5.04.2007
Wisdom. Proverbs 13:1-14
Here's some wise sayings from a couple thousand years ago that are sure to help you in life even today. Have a great weekend.
Proverbs 13:1-14
1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
3 He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A man's riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
Questions
1. Are there any of these that seem to be direct advice to you?
2. Which one do you think you understand best by the way you live your life?
3. Which one do you think you could gain the most from adhering to?
Proverbs 13:1-14
1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
3 He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A man's riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
Questions
1. Are there any of these that seem to be direct advice to you?
2. Which one do you think you understand best by the way you live your life?
3. Which one do you think you could gain the most from adhering to?
5.03.2007
Effective. James 5:13-16
Did you know that prayer is effective? Did you know that God hears the prayers of His children and responds to them? It's tempting to think, and some people errantly teach, that prayer is just for the individual praying. Maybe you think that the benefit of prayer is that it teaches the prayer reliance on God and is a good form of meditation. It's a good stress release. Today's passage shows us that prayer is much more than that. The prayer of a righteous man can move God's hand to heal. The prayer of a righteous man is effective, it changes things. Let me encourage you today to pray. Pray for all things in all occasions because it makes a difference.
James 5:13-16
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Questions.
1. What do you typically pray for?
2. With the knowledge that your prayers can change things, what else do you think you might start praying for?
3. What was most impacting about this passage?
James 5:13-16
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Questions.
1. What do you typically pray for?
2. With the knowledge that your prayers can change things, what else do you think you might start praying for?
3. What was most impacting about this passage?
5.02.2007
Hard Times. Jeremiah 29:4-14
Have you ever felt like God just hung you out to dry? You were walking through life, minding your own business, and all of a sudden you're thrust into some really difficult circumstances. I have good news for you. God has a plan for you. He even has a plan for that difficult situation you're in; more than that, He knows you're in it.
God's people found themselves in a situation like this. They had been taken captive by Babylon, and were questioning how this could be the case. Had God turned His back on them? Did He sell them out? What was going on? In the midst of this time, God spoke to His people this encouraging word. I know what you're going through, but fear not, I have big plans for you. God is saying the same thing to you.
Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." 8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Questions
1. Would it be hard for you to trust God if you had become a slave in a foreign land?
2. What's the hardest part of trusting God in difficult times?
3. What's you're favorite part of this passage?
God's people found themselves in a situation like this. They had been taken captive by Babylon, and were questioning how this could be the case. Had God turned His back on them? Did He sell them out? What was going on? In the midst of this time, God spoke to His people this encouraging word. I know what you're going through, but fear not, I have big plans for you. God is saying the same thing to you.
Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." 8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Questions
1. Would it be hard for you to trust God if you had become a slave in a foreign land?
2. What's the hardest part of trusting God in difficult times?
3. What's you're favorite part of this passage?
5.01.2007
Rainy Day. Psalm 111
Happy Tuesday to you all. It's a rainy day again today in Tulsa, OK. I hope that the weather doesn't get you down. If it does, then here's a passage that will lift your spirit. If, on the other hand, the weather has the opposite effect on you, this Psalm is equally appropriate. May our hearts be united as one even as we read this passage from all around the state. Our God is worthy of praise.
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD.
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Questions
1. How do you think you can tell if someone trusts the Lord?
2. What do you think fear of the Lord has to do with wisdom?
3. What did you like best about this passage?
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD.
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Questions
1. How do you think you can tell if someone trusts the Lord?
2. What do you think fear of the Lord has to do with wisdom?
3. What did you like best about this passage?
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