1 Sam 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
God is in charge. He doesn’t need human means or power to accomplish what he wants done. Instead of a standing army, his greatest strength marches on in an embryo growing quietly in the womb of Mary. The closing battles continue, but the war is already won.
Pray for the peace of your household.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
no God
Judges 16:20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you! He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
Samson didn’t follow the Lord’s ways. He wanted to follow his own path. He chooses the wrong direction and is influenced by Delilah, who also doesn’t follow God. So, what do you expect will happen?
Keep ignoring the wisdom and guidance of God, and he will honor that decision. Eventually, we get what we want, even when we don’t want God.
Pray for an increase desire for God.
Samson didn’t follow the Lord’s ways. He wanted to follow his own path. He chooses the wrong direction and is influenced by Delilah, who also doesn’t follow God. So, what do you expect will happen?
Keep ignoring the wisdom and guidance of God, and he will honor that decision. Eventually, we get what we want, even when we don’t want God.
Pray for an increase desire for God.
Friday, July 27, 2007
mercy
Judges 6:16 The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."
God doesn’t need numbers when he defeats evil. All are as one with Him. This makes it all the more remarkable that God treats us as individuals. Instead of destroying us as one because we are human and sinners, he opens for us new life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Each of us is invited to taste the mercy of Jesus, and have our lives restored. If you want God in your life, you get him.
Pray for forgiveness in doubting God’s power.
God doesn’t need numbers when he defeats evil. All are as one with Him. This makes it all the more remarkable that God treats us as individuals. Instead of destroying us as one because we are human and sinners, he opens for us new life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Each of us is invited to taste the mercy of Jesus, and have our lives restored. If you want God in your life, you get him.
Pray for forgiveness in doubting God’s power.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
complete
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
Still another reason to have confidence in the God of the Bible. He is there for us. What would it be like to be in relationship with God as Moses was? We have that access and more through Jesus. We don’t have to think about what it would be like, we open ourselves to God’s Spirit and it becomes a reality.
Ponder about being confident in God today.
Still another reason to have confidence in the God of the Bible. He is there for us. What would it be like to be in relationship with God as Moses was? We have that access and more through Jesus. We don’t have to think about what it would be like, we open ourselves to God’s Spirit and it becomes a reality.
Ponder about being confident in God today.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Jeshurun
Deuteronomy 33:26 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty."
"Jeshurun," is a poetic name for “Israel,” that appears four times in the Bible. The God of Israel (Jeshurun) is everywhere, poetically described as soaring in the universe ready to right wrong. Whenever we look up in the sky we can’t help but think of being immersed in God’s protection.
Take some time looking up during the day and night.
"Jeshurun," is a poetic name for “Israel,” that appears four times in the Bible. The God of Israel (Jeshurun) is everywhere, poetically described as soaring in the universe ready to right wrong. Whenever we look up in the sky we can’t help but think of being immersed in God’s protection.
Take some time looking up during the day and night.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
peace
Deuteronomy 31:6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
During modern times of war, those who are in charge generally aren’t on the front lines. This makes the United States Air Force intriguing in that per capita, it’s officers see much more combat.
Jesus leads God’s peace brigade and gives his life for the sake of his own people and for the sake of his enemies. What kind of leader is Jesus? The only one who will actually bring lasting peace. How does eternal peaces sound?
Pray for those in the armed forces that they will be protected and bring protection, justice and mercy.
During modern times of war, those who are in charge generally aren’t on the front lines. This makes the United States Air Force intriguing in that per capita, it’s officers see much more combat.
Jesus leads God’s peace brigade and gives his life for the sake of his own people and for the sake of his enemies. What kind of leader is Jesus? The only one who will actually bring lasting peace. How does eternal peaces sound?
Pray for those in the armed forces that they will be protected and bring protection, justice and mercy.
Monday, July 23, 2007
good odds
Deuteronomy 28:6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
When God calls people to follow him, he expects them to obey his teachings. In Deuteronomy 28, there are 14 verses that speak of blessing that will come as God’s people obey, and 53 verses talk of the curse that will befall those who say they trust but do not obey.
Well, that’s about a 4 to 1 curse to blessing ratio. Which is just about the reality ratio of how much we get messed up when we follow our own ways. Following Jesus, God promises he takes the curses, while the blessings remain. Nice odds!
Pray for Jesus to reveal himself in a friend’s life today.
When God calls people to follow him, he expects them to obey his teachings. In Deuteronomy 28, there are 14 verses that speak of blessing that will come as God’s people obey, and 53 verses talk of the curse that will befall those who say they trust but do not obey.
Well, that’s about a 4 to 1 curse to blessing ratio. Which is just about the reality ratio of how much we get messed up when we follow our own ways. Following Jesus, God promises he takes the curses, while the blessings remain. Nice odds!
Pray for Jesus to reveal himself in a friend’s life today.
Friday, July 20, 2007
the source
Deuteronomy 8:17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’
Quite often there is a sympathy for the atheist who has no one to thank for good fortune. The great danger of atheism is to consider yourself the ultimate source of all good in your life, because at some point, and repeatedly, we all fail miserably. Despair for your own failure follows, or anger if you transfer the blame for the failure outside of yourself.
Followers of God are not exempt from this, either. We spend a lot of time taking God for granted, and taking credit when things are going well. I have a lot more in common with an atheist than he/she might realize.
Pray for an atheist or agnostic friend today.
Quite often there is a sympathy for the atheist who has no one to thank for good fortune. The great danger of atheism is to consider yourself the ultimate source of all good in your life, because at some point, and repeatedly, we all fail miserably. Despair for your own failure follows, or anger if you transfer the blame for the failure outside of yourself.
Followers of God are not exempt from this, either. We spend a lot of time taking God for granted, and taking credit when things are going well. I have a lot more in common with an atheist than he/she might realize.
Pray for an atheist or agnostic friend today.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
discipline
Deuteronomy 8:5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.
When the Israelites experience hard times in the wilderness wanderings, it is ultimately for their own good. That which is challenging and brings pain, suffering, anxiety, and discomfort might be exactly what we need to grow and be built up in character.
Not always though. Much of the time our troubles are the result of our own sin or those who sin against us. Yet, God can make good out of that, too. There are no wasted moments to life on earth. Just opportunities to grow.
Pray for someone going through hard times today.
When the Israelites experience hard times in the wilderness wanderings, it is ultimately for their own good. That which is challenging and brings pain, suffering, anxiety, and discomfort might be exactly what we need to grow and be built up in character.
Not always though. Much of the time our troubles are the result of our own sin or those who sin against us. Yet, God can make good out of that, too. There are no wasted moments to life on earth. Just opportunities to grow.
Pray for someone going through hard times today.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
original staff meeting
Num 17:8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.
In the passage for today, there was constant “bickering” among the Israelites about leadership. The miracle points to Aaron as head priest. Now, God does extraordinary things. On rare occasions he goes all out with the spectacularly miraculous, like changing a walking stick into a tree. However, similar to what I wrote yesterday, I don’t necessarily want to see huge miracles coming from God’s direction. Most often in the Bible, this happens if God’s community is in extreme conflict or crisis and he appears in a “wow” way to remind everyone who is in charge. I’ll take “normal” miracles, if you don’t mind.
Pray for God to show you his way today.
In the passage for today, there was constant “bickering” among the Israelites about leadership. The miracle points to Aaron as head priest. Now, God does extraordinary things. On rare occasions he goes all out with the spectacularly miraculous, like changing a walking stick into a tree. However, similar to what I wrote yesterday, I don’t necessarily want to see huge miracles coming from God’s direction. Most often in the Bible, this happens if God’s community is in extreme conflict or crisis and he appears in a “wow” way to remind everyone who is in charge. I’ll take “normal” miracles, if you don’t mind.
Pray for God to show you his way today.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
angels
Num 7:89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him.
The cherubim are angels, and the statues to represent them symbolize the presence of God always being worshipped and glorifed by these heavenly beings. Angelic messengers are sent by God to speak when necessary. I don’t necessarily want to hear from them, however. In biblical history they often appear when there is crisis or when you are messing up!
Thank God for the heavenly hosts today.
The cherubim are angels, and the statues to represent them symbolize the presence of God always being worshipped and glorifed by these heavenly beings. Angelic messengers are sent by God to speak when necessary. I don’t necessarily want to hear from them, however. In biblical history they often appear when there is crisis or when you are messing up!
Thank God for the heavenly hosts today.
Monday, July 16, 2007
blessed
Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
This is called the “Aaronic Blessing” (as in the blessing Aaron, priest and brother of Moses gives to the Israelites) and is used in both Jewish and Christian worship. Today, we talk of connecting with someone “face-to-face.” This metaphor for close communication is nowhere more true then when a lover of God meets his/her beloved. We ache for the Father’s approval, not always realizing we are approved already before we do a thing.
Pray for God to teach you how blessed you really are.
This is called the “Aaronic Blessing” (as in the blessing Aaron, priest and brother of Moses gives to the Israelites) and is used in both Jewish and Christian worship. Today, we talk of connecting with someone “face-to-face.” This metaphor for close communication is nowhere more true then when a lover of God meets his/her beloved. We ache for the Father’s approval, not always realizing we are approved already before we do a thing.
Pray for God to teach you how blessed you really are.
Friday, July 13, 2007
presence
Leviticus 25:18 "Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. 19 Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety."
Through Jesus, "the land" is where Christians dwell. It is not a "place" as much as a "presence." Wherever they go, as they are disciples of Jesus, following his model and teachings, he goes with them. They become an influence for love, peace, justice, and holy living, wherever they find themselves. The Shekinah never stands still.
Pray for greater opportunities to shine for Jesus in the coming week.
Through Jesus, "the land" is where Christians dwell. It is not a "place" as much as a "presence." Wherever they go, as they are disciples of Jesus, following his model and teachings, he goes with them. They become an influence for love, peace, justice, and holy living, wherever they find themselves. The Shekinah never stands still.
Pray for greater opportunities to shine for Jesus in the coming week.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
approach
Leviticus 16:2 The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.”
We see in the history of God’s people that there is a progression of revelation by God. To approach his awesome nature, one has to be specially chosen, like Moses, or to a lesser extent, his brother Aaron. Finally, through Jesus, God becomes approachable without any barriers. All along, there is a sense of having as much of God as we can stand.
Thank God for Jesus who gives us direct, no-holds-barred access to all of his glory.
We see in the history of God’s people that there is a progression of revelation by God. To approach his awesome nature, one has to be specially chosen, like Moses, or to a lesser extent, his brother Aaron. Finally, through Jesus, God becomes approachable without any barriers. All along, there is a sense of having as much of God as we can stand.
Thank God for Jesus who gives us direct, no-holds-barred access to all of his glory.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
worship
Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
God’s Shekinah fills their place of worship. When the Israelites come together to sing God’s praises, they needed no lamps. When we worship God, we use electricity for the lights, but we continue to pray for God to provide the Shekinah.
When you worship next, pray for God’s presence to fill the room in a tangible way.
God’s Shekinah fills their place of worship. When the Israelites come together to sing God’s praises, they needed no lamps. When we worship God, we use electricity for the lights, but we continue to pray for God to provide the Shekinah.
When you worship next, pray for God’s presence to fill the room in a tangible way.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
light
Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.
When Moses spoke with God, the light and energy of God would enter Moses. This is called God’s Shekinah. The closest analogy I can give today would be Moses appears radioactive. This experience points to the one greater than Moses who is God himself. Jesus is transfigured before his followers and it’s way more than just his face (Matthew 17:1-6). How is Christ’s light shining through you today?
Pray for the light of Jesus to come and fill you.
When Moses spoke with God, the light and energy of God would enter Moses. This is called God’s Shekinah. The closest analogy I can give today would be Moses appears radioactive. This experience points to the one greater than Moses who is God himself. Jesus is transfigured before his followers and it’s way more than just his face (Matthew 17:1-6). How is Christ’s light shining through you today?
Pray for the light of Jesus to come and fill you.
Monday, July 09, 2007
for every nation
Exodus 34:10 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.”
When you step back and look at it from an unbiased, non-agenda point of view, it is astounding how much God accomplishes in human history among people who call upon him. One of the biggest wonders is how multicultural Christianity is compared to any other faith or philosophy of life. Examples:
secular: university educated affluent white Westerners
Islam: while not dominated by Arabs in total numbers, overwhelming dominated by Arab language and culture
Buddhism: overwhelmingly Asian
Hinduism: overwhelming Indian
God said, “Through you all nations of the world will be blessed.” He continues to be God of his Word.
Pray for Christians in Togo, Iran, and Uganda
When you step back and look at it from an unbiased, non-agenda point of view, it is astounding how much God accomplishes in human history among people who call upon him. One of the biggest wonders is how multicultural Christianity is compared to any other faith or philosophy of life. Examples:
secular: university educated affluent white Westerners
Islam: while not dominated by Arabs in total numbers, overwhelming dominated by Arab language and culture
Buddhism: overwhelmingly Asian
Hinduism: overwhelming Indian
God said, “Through you all nations of the world will be blessed.” He continues to be God of his Word.
Pray for Christians in Togo, Iran, and Uganda
Friday, July 06, 2007
rest
Ex 33:12-16
14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
There are so many commercials for sleep aids these days. Lunesta, Sominex, etc. Can it be as simple as a right relationship with the Heavenly Father?
Don’t dismiss this thought so quickly…Why don’t you sleep on it?
Pray for those who are having trouble sleeping.
14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
There are so many commercials for sleep aids these days. Lunesta, Sominex, etc. Can it be as simple as a right relationship with the Heavenly Father?
Don’t dismiss this thought so quickly…Why don’t you sleep on it?
Pray for those who are having trouble sleeping.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
straight ahead
when we follow Jesus straight ahead, without wandering, it's actually the best adventure of all
tent
Ex 29:45
45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.
God instructed Moses to construct a “Tent of Meeting” where God would appear to his people. God says in this way he will live with the Israelites.
Well, with Jesus, God is with all people forever. Immanuel, God with us. There is no need for a tent. Jesus is as close as our attention.
Pray for those who are camping this summer.
45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.
God instructed Moses to construct a “Tent of Meeting” where God would appear to his people. God says in this way he will live with the Israelites.
Well, with Jesus, God is with all people forever. Immanuel, God with us. There is no need for a tent. Jesus is as close as our attention.
Pray for those who are camping this summer.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
it's about God
Ex 19:9
9 The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
God doesn’t speak from too many clouds today. So, how do those of us who preach and teach warrant a listening ear from our “flock?” If you aren’t a preacher, how about in your walk with the Lord, why should people trust what you have to say?
Does it make sense through the filter of the Bible? Is it about Jesus? Does it draw you to him? Does it promise you freedom from those things that bind you? Am I trying to manipulate you or am I simply inviting you to join me on the path of the one who is the truth?...
Pray for preachers and teachers you know that they would be men and women of integrity.
9 The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
God doesn’t speak from too many clouds today. So, how do those of us who preach and teach warrant a listening ear from our “flock?” If you aren’t a preacher, how about in your walk with the Lord, why should people trust what you have to say?
Does it make sense through the filter of the Bible? Is it about Jesus? Does it draw you to him? Does it promise you freedom from those things that bind you? Am I trying to manipulate you or am I simply inviting you to join me on the path of the one who is the truth?...
Pray for preachers and teachers you know that they would be men and women of integrity.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
fighting God
Ex 14:14
14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
This passage is in the context of the Egyptian army ready to destroy the Israelites on the edge of the Red Sea. They have escaped out of slavery from Egypt only to get into this hopeless appearing situation.
But, not so fast.
Today, the fighting might be a little different but with God there is always victory in the end. Interesting how much work God does when we don’t try to orchestrate what we think he ought to be doing.
How could God fight for you today?
14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
This passage is in the context of the Egyptian army ready to destroy the Israelites on the edge of the Red Sea. They have escaped out of slavery from Egypt only to get into this hopeless appearing situation.
But, not so fast.
Today, the fighting might be a little different but with God there is always victory in the end. Interesting how much work God does when we don’t try to orchestrate what we think he ought to be doing.
How could God fight for you today?
Monday, July 02, 2007
finger of God
Ex 8:19
19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.
The “finger of God” is a visible sign that God has broken into our space/ time dimension. Signs of God are evident in the intricacies of nature, events of history, and everywhere else, for that matter. If you are open and willing you will see. If you aren’t, you won’t.
God already knows this and yet, he keeps showing up.
Watch for the “finger of God” in your day today.
19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.
The “finger of God” is a visible sign that God has broken into our space/ time dimension. Signs of God are evident in the intricacies of nature, events of history, and everywhere else, for that matter. If you are open and willing you will see. If you aren’t, you won’t.
God already knows this and yet, he keeps showing up.
Watch for the “finger of God” in your day today.
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About Me
- Dana
- Pastor from LIFEhouse Church in Northridge CA, focusing on the theme, "How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk."
