Archive for May, 2010

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KING OF KINGS

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Day 89

“In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes”
Judges 21:25

As the prophet Samuel was getting old and coming into his last days, a terrible thing happened in Israel. All the Elders of Israel met with Samuel and said, “appoint us a king to lead us as the other nations have” [1 Samuel:8:5-7]. They looked all around at other nations and decided they wanted a human king to lead them. What they did was “right in [their] own eyes.”

God’s own people rejected Him once again. Instead of having a government headed by God, they chose a human government. God Himself said they rejected Him, and pointed out they had done this “from the day I brought them up out of Egypt.” They set the standard for their own conduct; they decided what morality was. Instead of trusting and leaning on God, they wanted what others had. They permitted deception to enter their hearts.

When we do not have a proper understanding of God and His sovereignty in our lives, we can easily do the same. We may permit finances, the banking system, unions, insurance, health system, careers, and even the government to be our providers. We lean on them, thinking we are made secure by them. Yes, we may believe in Christ and be faithful, but it is also very easy to substitute these human institutions for Him. We need to acknowledge our total reliance on God every day, recognizing that he is our only true source of provision

“He satisfies the thirsty and fills
the hungry with good things”
Psalm 107:9

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KNOWING HIM

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Day 88

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ”
John 17:3

Martin Luther said in one of his letters to Erasmus, “Your thoughts of God are too human.” This human perception of God is often the result of many different influences in our lives that helped form our concepts of God. It can be a serious hindrance to truly knowing him.

It is very important for us, His children, to know His character and nature. We need to understand God. This can come only through two things: the reading and studying of His word with an eye toward knowing Him better, and a personal relationship with Him. He created us to fellowship with Him. It is His desire to share Himself with us. In spite of man’s fall and continued rebellion, our faithful Father continued to make a road back. That history and the way in which He has brought reconciliation is a rich revelation of His character. Carefully reading of the events brings a greater understanding of our Father which leads to a richer relationship.

John says it has not appeared as yet what we shall be, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him [1 John 3:2]. Isn’t that a reason compelling enough for us to seek Him? Our end is to be like Him! We were created in His image and likeness. In Christ, we are eternal. What better reason is there to know Him more intimately?

“He has given us His very great and precious promises,
so that we might become partakers of the divine nature”
2 Peter 1:4

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NO WRATH TODAY

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Day 87

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath
but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”
1 Thessalonians 5:9

God’s wrath against sin is His holiness stirred into action. God’s wrath was very evident in the Old Testament; “Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book” [2 Kings 22:13]. Vivid examples of His wrath are seen by the earth swallowing up Dathan and Abriam, Achan and his family being stoned to death, and Uzzah who put his hand on the Ark of God and died.

In reading the accounts of God’s history with His people from Genesis throughout the time before Christ we deepen our awareness of the vast difference between God’s holiness and the people’s actions. It was necessary for God to establish the law to make them aware of their sins, and as necessary for His wrath to be demonstrated so that they would know the consequences.

Today, though, it is different. The wrath of God has been quenched through the death of Christ. God’s wrath, both in the present and to come, was dealt with at the Cross. Jesus, the Lamb of God (named after the sacrificial Passover lamb) became our substitute. The wrath of God was poured out on Him. The Creator of the universe humbled Himself as a man and subjected Himself to death for you so that we would not have to suffer His wrath. The blood abolished God’s anger against us and brought His favor. Now, instead of showing Himself against us, He now shows Himself for us.

“While we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God through the death of His Son”
Romans 5:10

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ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Day 86

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness
into His wonderful light”
1 Peter 2:9

Every believer is a minister. The psalmist says, “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all people” [Psalm 96:3]. Paul says that the pastors and teachers are to prepare God’s people for works of service [Ephesians 4:11-13]. We are to minister to the Lord, and we are to minister to the people. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” [Matthew 5:14]. We are cautioned not to hide the light, but to prominently display our faith before all.

Think about this. We are so familiar with a clergy-lay people system that many perceive ministry as belonging to those who are trained as ministers. The fact is the word of God says every true believer is meant to minister in the manner according to which God has called them. Those entrusted with the call of being pastors and teachers are meant to perfect the saints for ministry.

And the most amazing aspect of the role of true believers as ministers is that God has entrusted the message of His kingdom to you! In spite of your imperfections, failings, shyness, lack of education, or any other perceived impediment, God has called you to minister. He has given you the Holy Spirit to be your Counselor, Guide, and to equip you with the right decisions at the time of need. He has spread His love abroad in your heart, enabling you to give of yourself to others. Yes, He has made you His minister.

“In the same way, let your light shine before
men, that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven”
Matthew 5:16

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HIS FAITHFULNESS

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Day 85

“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials”
Luke 22:28

God is a faithful God. He chose us before the foundation of the world; He created us to know, love, serve and have fellowship with Him. Fellowship was broken by the sin of the very first man that led to all of us being born separated from Him. God selected one person to begin a race of people to be His but; they continued man’s sinful ways. He then rescued them from 400-year captivity. They rebelled after being set free so He brought the next generation to a new land, where they rejected God as King and ended up in captivity again for 70 years. Then He set them free. Finally, in a time appointed He sent His own Son to die on a cross; opened the kingdom of God to all whosoever will answer His call.

Today we are His children because God never gave up on us. His faithfulness is steadfast, and we are proof of that. Even today, when we fail, fall, or slip, He is there. Should we even resist Him, He remains the same – near to us as a faithful companion. That faithfulness is a deep love for His children. It is a Father’s love. It is a love that has determined that not one of His children will be snatched out of His hand.

We again get a glimpse at the Father’s heart. Jesus told the disciples that in spite of their weaknesses and failures, they have stood with Him faithfully. Hundreds left Him, but they were loyal. They understood friendship. So He promised to give them a kingdom just as the Father had given Him one. Hear this, saints: the Lord values those who stay with Him. It reflects faithfulness, and He rewards us with the kingdom.

“And I confer on you a kingdom”
verse 29

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THE MASTER AS A SERVANT

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Day 84

“But I am among you as one who serves”
Luke 22:27

Servanthood is an area of our walk with Christ that many people miss. In fact, even the disciples wrestled with this issue and with the way in which Christ carried it out in His life. They were perplexed, unable to understand what Christ was doing. The same difficulty exists with us today. We gain knowledge and understanding, but it never seems to reach the depth of our character.

It was the time of the Passover when this really came to light. Preparations were made. They secured a guest room, prepared for the Passover and gathered together at the table of the Last Supper. It was here where the struggle took place. Jesus got up from the meal [John 13:4], changed clothes, and washed the feet of the disciples. They were embarrassed; Peter even resisted Him. Jesus replied that unless He was allowed to wash his feet, Peter was to have no part of Him. It wasn’t the first time this happened. The disciples knew ‘someone’ should have done it. But the Master? No, no, He shouldn’t have to become a servant.

Have you read that we should be servants? The disciples heard it. They didn’t have a problem with understanding it, but often failed to carry it out. But when the Master was a servant it was too much for them. Their understanding of servanthood did not embrace true humility. Jesus came to do what Adam and mankind had failed to do – obey God. So the Lord and King of the universe and heavens became a servant.

Like the disciples, the same thing has happened to us – we have had our feet washed by the God of the universe. He has cleansed us, and now He tells us we are to do the same – we are to be servants.

“The greatest among you should be like
the youngest, and the one who rules
like the one who serves”
Luke 22:27

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A JEALOUS GOD

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Day 83

“The Lord, whose name is jealous, is a jealous God”
Exodus 34:14

Did you know that God is a jealous God?

Moses had just witnessed the glory of the Lord, and heard God describe himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. God’s declaration to Moses was in very human and emotional terms that expressed deep love for His people. In Hebrew, the word for “compassion” actually means “mother’s womb,” indicating mercy, pity, and love.

God has a compassion for the people whom He birthed. Read another expression of God’s compassion where He comforts Rachel about her children; “Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him I do remember him still. Therefore My heart (“womb”) yearns for him; I will surely have mercy upon him says Yahweh” [Jeremiah 3:20 Literal].

This helps us understand why God is a jealous God. He is jealous because we belong to Him; we are His children, born of Him. He does not express jealousy wrongfully, as in the human emotion, but as a part of His love for us. His jealousy brings His wrath against that which separates us from Him. He wages war on our enemies, the enemies of our soul who prevent our having full fellowship with Him. We belong to Him, and we are to have no other gods before Him. His desire is for our fellowship with Him.

“With great compassion I will gather you …,
with everlasting love I will have compassion on you”
Isaiah 54:7-8

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A TENDER INVITATION

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Day 82

“Come to Me”
Matthew 11:28-30

One of our Father’s grievances is seeing His chosen ones weighed down with the burden of the religious system. Jesus addressed the complex and heavy rules that man added to the law which made devotion to God a burden. Carnal man created a religious system that misinterpreted the law, and presented God as a judge and jury. Many are still doing the same thing today. People cry out, hunger and thirst to know their Father; but all they receive from man’s religion is a God of “do” and “do not”, or conversely, shallow entertainment instead of a presentation of the living Fatherhood of God.

This tender invitation recorded in Matthew reveals the heart of our Father. Jesus, who has experienced the burden of men, calls out to the elect; “Come to Me.” His invitation is to those who are weary and burdened by the religious system; the humble ones who know they are hungry and thirsty. He wants to revive the heart, refresh them and carry their burden for them. Yes, He is a jealous God who wants to remove what separates you from Him.

John tells us what it means to answer this invitation: “He who comes to me will in no way get hungry, and he who believes in me will in no way get thirsty.” Come to He who will free you from anxiety, fear, and despair and bring you peace and rest. The rest is dwelling in His presence all the days of your life.

“I will give you rest”
vs 28

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A MEAL WITH GOD

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Day 81

“They saw God, and they ate and drank”
Exodus 24:11

Imagine having a meal with God!

Mount Sinai is a landmark in God’s relationship with His people. Three months after being set free from Egyptian bondage, the people arrived at Mount Sinai. It was to become the first meeting place where God would manifest Himself to the people. God directed the people to be consecrated (set apart) in preparation for the meeting.

God also set boundaries on how near the people could come to Mount Sinai. Even the priests were limited in their access and had to be careful to consecrate themselves. God’s holiness demanded separation. They weren’t even allowed to gaze upon God. God then manifested Himself by fire and smoke, in a cloud, through thunder and lightening, and in an earthquake.

But a very unusual event took place when Moses, Aaron and his two sons, and 70 elders were permitted to ascend the mountain. They were granted a special manifestation of God. And God didn’t stretch out His hand to slay them because they saw Him. Instead, they ate and drank! Yes, they had a meal on the mountain with God. What a revelation of God our Father – He loved them so much He permitted them to rest in His presence and have a meal. It demonstrates the special relationship that He desires for us to have with Him.

“There am I with them”
Matthew 18:20

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HIS CROSS

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

Day 80

“It is the power of God”
1 Corinthians 1:18

The twelve disciples had a hard time understanding Jesus. He would make one difficult pronouncement and then another. He told the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, and that he would be killed. Peter pulled Him aside and rebuked Him. And with one sharp rebuff, Jesus said, “Get behind Me Satan.” Peter was stunned.

Crucifixion was one of the cruelest methods of execution ever invented. It was a slow, torturous death, often lasting several days. Death was not caused by loss of blood, but by asphyxiation, when the one being crucified could no longer hold himself up by the nails in his hands and feet in order to breathe. The Romans usually reserved it for non-citizens convicted of only the most heinous crimes. The Jews also abhorred crucifixion, because they saw it as the accursed death of being hung on a tree. To them, a crucified Messiah was a scandalous concept.

God chose this way to redeem us. Natural man does not and cannot understand any of this – that’s why Peter was rebuked. Why would the Creator of the Universe and mankind choose to undergo such humiliation and suffering? It is foolishness to mankind. But, this is why God chose to become one of us, submitting Himself to our travails, suffering temptation and subjecting Himself to the ultimate sacrifice on a cross – all so we who are being saved would know His love and power to redeem us.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by
becoming a curse for us, for it is written:
‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’”
Galatians 3:13

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