I Kings 6:37-7:12 - Solomon Builds the Palace

I Kings 6:37-7:12

In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, in the month of Ziv. And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eight month, the house was finished throughout all its parts and according to all its plans. So he was seven years building it. (verse 37-38)

Message: Solomon Builds the Palace

Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 6 records the building of the temple with the chapter ending that the temple was finished in 7 years - a number of completion and perfection in the Bible. Chapter 7 begins the record of Solomon's palace. 

The Tabletalk devotional I read is somewhat critical of Solomon and remarks that because it took 13 years for Solomon to build his palace that this must mean that he had a greater concern for his palace over the temple. And his palace was larger. I am not sure I would come to the same conclusion. I am thinking that the temple was the priority and so he made sure to focus on it while his palace was larger and it had multiple uses. The use of the temple was more singular. 

I do agree that achieving this balance between things of God and things of man is difficult. At times, it seems selfish to do anything for self and all time must be spent on things of God. Maybe I place this expectation on myself but it is hard to know the correct balance in life. From reading to studying to time worked. 

Summary: The Temple is completed in 7 years. Solomon's palace is completed in 13 years. The Temple was first to be completed and the priority. The palace had multiple functions and was larger.

Promise: We must balance our concern toward the things of God with concern toward our own matters.

Prayer: Lord God, I need your wisdom. I notice a tendency in my age to get distracted more and to be have more that I feel involved in and more that I feel like is a priority. Yesterday, I went through papers and saw documents with lots of information I had prepared and wondered if I am as productive today. Help me God. There are so many things I feel a need to do. Even in the morning, when my mind is clear I have a need to get up and study and yet I sleep and when I arise have little time. It is a struggle for me continually. And I know my self-talk is poor. Help me to balance God.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 24 - Joshua's Farewell

Joshua 24

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (verse 15)

Message: Joshua's Farewell

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Well, it has taken me a while to get through this book. I was looking forward to reading an Old Testament book, but for whatever reason, took me a while after finishing reading John. And this last chapter has taken me quite some time. What has occurred is not necessarily a lot but in a way it is hard. Maybe hard is not the best word, but hard in parts. It is great to read and see all that God provided to Israel but hard to have others left out. And yet this is the story of life. While everyone has a story, everyone's story is not the same and many stories are not stories that glorify God or are intended to glorify God and so, maybe that is difficult. 

For the people that God calls, they are not only his called ones but they are a people that respond to that call. It is an idea that is somewhat consistent to what I read recently in Proverbs 10:3, "The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger." The Lord loves righteous people because righteous people honor God and honor others. I have to remember this and keep this at the forefront of my thinking always. 

In Joshua 24 there begins in first 13 verses Joshua reviewing Israel's history. The people that would make up Israel started out by worshipping other gods. But then God chose Abraham and gave him Isaac and promised to multiply his descendants. God began to show these people that they were his. He provided for them. People pursued them but God provided them success and a way out. God gave them possession of the land and struck down those that opposed. God did not listen to people like Balaam but instead blessed and delivered His people. And this continued into the land of Canaan, a land they did not know and yet in war he provided for his people and left the people there to die. They live now in a land that they did not build or garden and yet they get the reward. 

Following this history, Joshua then encourages the people to serve the Lord. In verse 14 he says, "Fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth." Lord stands for JEHOVAH, the covenant God of Israel. And this is followed by putting away other gods in our lives. This is our biggest problem - our allegiance to other things that are not the one True God. We dance around the idols in our lives and basically try to serve things but then miss the true ness of the will of God. I struggle with this - music, movies, entertainment and the habit of it all and push out the things of God. Verse 15 is an interesting verse - we choose who we will serve. Serve someone, but "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

The people then have a back and forth with Joshua and pledge their allegiance to serving the Lord and putting aside their foreign gods and to commemorate this event and this proclamation there is a decision to erect a statue, a stone to signify this event. In verse 27, "This stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord which He spoke to us, that it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God." 

Then Joshua died at 110 years old as mentioned in verse 29. Then there is mention of also burying the bones of Joseph when the sons of Israel had carried with them. 

Summary: We are not live for God half-hearted but completely. All other forms of faith are basically the same but we are to serve the Lord our God. 

Promise: God is the only true God, so He is the only source of mercy and forgiveness. If we abandon Him, we have no hope, but if we run to Him for mercy when we sin, He will pardon us. 

Prayer: O Lord, I thank you for taking me on this journey with Israel and seeing  your hand of providence in their life, but also the simple reminder of my need to follow You all of my days and make you number one. Help me with this. I don't want to get too proud or lead my life by emotion or feeling but stand on the word of God. Help me in my conversations with people to always and only follow You God. Keep me focused on You. Help me to always lead my family to serve You Lord. Thank you for the peace you bring. Make me someone like a Joshua. 

 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

A Decision that Led to Disaster - Abraham, Friend of God, Charles Swindoll Study Guide

Genesis 13

In my own words - Abram and Lot separate. They were traveling together and both had become very wealthy with many flocks and many tents. Seeing this, Abram mentions they should separate. Abram gives Lot first choice as to where to settle. Lot went to east, possibly because of the fertile, well-watered land, but he also ended up close to Sodom - a very evil place; the land was attractive, the people were evil. Abram went to the west, to Canaan. Following their separation, the Lord speaks to Abram, giving him a blessing of this land to Abram as far as his eye can see. His descendants, God says, will be numerous, as far as the eye can see. Abram followed this up by building an altar to the Lord. 

Wealth tests our decisions

The text says "and the land could not sustain them while dwelling together." Lot and Abram were between Bethel and Ai and as they grew in property something caused them to struggle being together. In our world, our borders are clearly defined - property lines do this to denote the separation of property and land. Where I grew up was at first an open area (Sandia Heights at the base of the Sandia Mountains) but as people came more in abundance, settled property lines were present but not clearly marked and I saw some people feeling a need to build walls while others left the open space as long as there was a clear distance between their area and others. 

Consequences follow our decisions

The text states that Abram stopped to spend time at the altar of the Lord (13:4). At times Abram has not made wise decisions but here the text brings attention to the fact that Abram goes to the altar of the Lord. He stops and spends time with God. Following this and the anxiety that he sees tells Lot he can choose the land he desires. And even after Lot chooses his land (looks good, but is near Sodom which will be an evil city), Abram then goes the other way and settles there and once again builds an altar to the Lord (13:18).  Application - I am encouraged to go to God when I am a crossroads and after sensing God's provision. Start with Him. End with Him. 

The title of this lesson is 'a decision that led to disaster' which speaks of the decision that Lot made in choosing the abundant that looked good to the eye. The decision he made on his own led to disaster. But Abram sough the Lord several times, before decisions and after decisions and God blessed him. In this text, both parties were already wealth with possessions. But what Abram received from God was a blessing of descendants and that the land that he would dwell would be fruitful. Abram received something that went beyond wealth. And again, what is most important to me in this passage is he went to God. 

Start with Him. End with Him.   

Mark 1:40-45 - The Disobedient Leper

Mark 1:40-45
40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44 and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

Message: The Disobedient Leper

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

At first glance, when I look at this passage, I see that on the heels of Mark mentioning that Jesus' purpose in ministry is to preach the gospel, the next scene Mark gives us is of a man being healed. The man comes to Jesus basically begging to be healed, believing that Jesus can heal. He doesn't give Jesus his sob story, but simply states that If you are willing (or I believe you have the power), you can make me clean. Jesus obliges I am willing; be cleansed, and the man is healed. And then in response Jesus gives him a command. Now, isn't this similar to what Jesus asks of each of us. Each person comes to Jesus and believes in him and then Jesus blesses them. Jesus doesn't ask each person to do something first and then he blessed, but Jesus simply blesses. But, afterwards he does ask something of this man and asks something of us, his followers.

He tells him to: (1) say nothing to anyone, (2) go to the priest, (3) make an offering. But instead the man goes and spreads the news. And Jesus has to retreat to smaller villages to continue his mission. Jesus loves people. He has a compassion to heal them, but he also has a mission and he understands that many will not approve of him.

Old Testament Law had very specific rules about lepers. Lepers had to take precautions to prevent the spread of their disease. They had live outside the camp, away from God's special presence. The leper could only re-enter the camp once healed - but this re-entry was preceded by the priest conducting a close investigation of the leprous man or woman and offer sacrifices to restore the person to ritual purity. In Old Testament law, purity was obtained through sacrifices. It is interesting that this is the command that Jesus gives. The priests could not heal, but their intent was to confirm the healing and restore them to purity. So while Jesus healed this man, he intended the man to go the priest ready to be restored, not mentioning how he had been cleaned, but to take the proper procedures to re-enter the city. He wanted the man to follow the correct procedures and keep his healing a secret, in a way.

Thus, Mark does communicate here that Jesus does continue to have a mission, but he also brings to the attention that people are enthralled and amazed and see the potential of saving their ailments at the hands of the healing master Jesus. But, Jesus is still about his purpose and thus, everything he continues to do is to preserve that purpose.

Promise: Jesus hates what sin has done to his creation, and He is full of compassion for those who suffer the effects of the fall. Despite knowing what this man will do, the Lord heals him anyway, which is a remarkable display of His patience, compassion, and grace to undeserving sinners.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being about compassion. Thank you for loving your people. And thank you for having a purpose. Lord, there will be different times that I am sidetracked throughout my day, but keep me focused on You and Your purposes and Your plans in my life. I am on mission to proclaim You, but I also have responsibilities in life. Keep me focused. Thank you for your example and showing me the way.

Mark 1:35-39 - The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry

Mark 1:35-39
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.36 Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” 39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Message: The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Jesus here provides us his simple reason for coming and that is to preach. In Mark 1:15 Jesus says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." This seems to clearly be his mission as these were the first words Mark has Jesus saying. Mark 1:1 states that this book is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, our text reminds us that the key and only key for Jesus' ministry is to preach the gospel, from town to town.

On the heals of everyone looking for him, to help them, he responds instead by saying his mission is to preach. His mission was not simply to heal people. Mark adds in verse 39 that he will go to synagogues throughout Galilee preach and cast out demons. The signs and wonders of miracles and deliverance are confirmation of the truth of the gospel, but the gospel must still be preached.

The world we live in today is no different. People love the supernatural. Hollywood and movies is built often on superheroes and people who can do things that humans cannot. People love this and flock in high numbers to view this. Computer games are built on this, doing the supernatural. TV shows more and more are bent on wizardry and supernatural events. This is the world we live in and get trained it. We get trained not to focus on the reality of the day and the mission of people living for the gospel of Jesus and instead we focus on Fantasy Island. And it is growing worse every day. The every day life is too hard to handle, which is why alcohol and marijuana are now so prevalent in our lives. We have been trained to not handle life but instead to medicate it and live in a fantasy world.

But Jesus reminds us that the purpose of His ministry and really our lives is preaching the gospel. I almost think that verse 35 is shown here as an example for us, that we need to take time from our life, always, and go to a secluded place and talk to the Father -  In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. It is as if Jesus is telling us how important it is for us to be reminded of our real purpose. It is not to escape, acquire, consume, be comforted, live at ease and free of problems and be entertained. Yes, life includes those outlets and we are clearly supposed to celebrate, but our purpose is to remind people of the hope we have in Jesus. The world would much rather put forth that there isn't even a problem that needs to be solved.

Promise: Fellowship with the Lord in prayer is an absolute necessity if we will be sustained in life and ministry over the long haul. This is true whether we are pastors, working in secular workplaces, or living in our homes.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder today that you were all about preaching the gospel of repentance and believing and my life needs to always mirror this. Forgive me for getting carried away often into worlds that are a fantasy and don't reflect life here on earth. I too often want to escape rather than deal with what is in front of me. Thank you for being my anchor, my shield, my refuge, my cornerstone. Help me to continue to run to you and be reminded of this. I praise you God.

Song of Solomon 8:13-14 - The Only Love That Can Fully Satisfy

Song of Solomon 8:13-14

He
13 O you who dwell in the gardens,
with companions listening for your voice;
let me hear it.
She
14 Make haste, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle
or a young stag
on the mountains of spices. looking through the lattice.

Message: The Only Love That Can Fully Satisfy

Time: Solomon wrote the book during his reign as king of Israel, meaning he composed it sometime between 971 and 931 BC.

What the Lord is Saying: 

According to my Bible, these two verses are the voices of the man (v. 13) and the woman (v. 14). These are the last 2 verses of the book. They seem to echo a sentiment that has been present throughout the book, the longing of each person to be with the other person.

He Speaks (v. 13)
The bridegroom calls upon the (Shulammite) woman to let his friends, who have come to congratulate him on his bride's safe return, listen to him. She seems to reside in the garden, perhaps a special spot for her. Like Solomon, I notice a simple delight in hearing the voice of my bride, my wife. Many voices of my day can make me impatient and I tire sometimes with people, but with my wife I never tire. I always look forward to her speaking. Often I feel like I am saying these words of Solomon, "let me hear it." It is possible the bride here is singing a song which she sang early on in their courtship. In essence, real love lasts.

She Speaks (v. 14)
In answer to his request, she sings. And her words point back to him and draw him in once again. His desire for her is met. He asks her to possibly sing or speak something from the past, a song that represented the foundation of their relationship. This verse echoes back to chapter 2, verse 9 when se says My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice. Gazelle is used multiple times in this book. She uses gazelle to describe the dancing around or the way he leaps in her heart. He uses gazelle several times when talking of intimacy, namely her breasts, to speak of the delicate nature of them, it would seem. Delicate seems to speak of their smaller proportion. Bigger breasts are not appealing or attractive. The stag and gazelle also point to the speed at which he is coming for her.

On the mountains of spices paints a picture of ascending to a high place. Standing on the mountain results in a feeling that you are top of it all. And the spices augment this with a sweet aroma. Paul remarked that man is to love his wife and here the bride is experiencing the result of that great love. Once again, she is being set apart and is distinct from all others. How it hurts a woman to be compared to. My wife told me early on in our marriage that the thing that saddens her the most is my wandering eye. She dislikes seeing men peer at other women with their wife right next to them. It should not be done at all, but then it is done in her presence. This should motivate me. And yet I find myself digressing from this in moments of anger or resentment. And yet how childish this is. It's like I'm looking elsewhere having a temper tantrum of sorts. My love and devotion needs to be more mature. My wife envelopes everything I desire and there should be no reason ever to look elsewhere. So, let this verse be a reminder of the continual need to pursue my wife. 

Promise: It is true that God's love for us is the only that fully satisfies, and yet in this picture of marriage here is an encouragement to pursue one another. Obviously, as I age, that changes. We don't move around as fast and neither is in as good of shape. The times of intimacy are less, but they are still valuable. What I realize is my need to savor all that I have, even if what I have is different in these times. And in return, I see more and more the fullness of my relationship in Christ, who never changes. 

Prayer: Lord, I want to trust in You alone and I want to thank you for the gift of my wife. Her words are what I look forward to hearing each day. Her presence is what I value. Help me to center always on her and her alone. Keep me pure Lord and my eyes focused loving my wife and her alone. Forgive me for me not keeping vow, but today I begin again. Thank you for her faithfulness and the sweet gift that she is. 

Luke 12:34 - Valuing Goods and Services

Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Message: Valuing Goods and Services

Time: The Gospel according to Luke was probably the last Synoptic Gospel to be written, thus penned around 60 AD. The words salvation are in Luke, though not in Matthew and Mark. Luke, a gentile physician, wrote more than any other NT writer, writing primarily of redemptive history.

What the Lord is Saying: I have read this verse often and thought about what it means, namely that what is most important to me or what I focus my spending on is what is most important to me. When it comes to spending money, we all do not value the same things in the same way, all the time. This is normal and good. We need different values in order to help one another out. Yet, as it mentions in the 10 commandments, we are not value anything higher than God.

Sometimes, I have often looked at this verse and thought that since I spend money on anything that is not church related or disciple making related or missions related, then somehow my heart is not on God honoring things. But spending is part of life and trading, often my money, to others, for something that they are providing, for something that I desire is still giving Glory to God. But, I think it always comes back to am I valuing that item more than I value God. 

Promise: There are many ways to show that we value God and His kingdom above all else.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for money and enabling me to earn money and then spend it on things that we need. Lord, I pray for your wisdom to radiate my paths, reminding me that spending is okay if it is providing something I need. Keep me focused on glorifying you and keep teaching me about money and how it can be used for your glory.

Proverbs 31:10-12 - The Excellent Wife

Proverbs 31:10-12
10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

Message: The Excellent Wife

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: Well, I fortunately have an excellent wife. She is not someone I found but instead someone that God provided for me. She gets more wonderful every day. And yes, her worth is far above any jewel. It is far above anything.

I do trust her. But sometimes my feelings get in the way, but feelings are not facts. Overall, I do trust her, but I do get nervous sometimes and I start believing my feelings more than the facts. It is often the same way in my relationship with God. I focus not on His word, but at times on what I'm feeling.

Pamela does me good and not evil. She has always been careful to be the best toward me. This doesn't mean I always get what I want. Who does? And no one should. But, she is amazing as to how sensitive she is to me. She recognizes me as the leader of the home, but she also has her own will, and often a strong one at that. We are definitely co-heirs and work together well.

Promise: The excellent wife embodies the Lord’s wisdom in fulfilling her divinely appointed role and in bringing great blessing to her family and community.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of Pamela. Thank you for your handiwork in making her the way you have and then bringing her into my life. You knew exactly what I needed. And thank you for molding her into your image and the joy it is just having her by my side everyday. Help me to be a better husband and to continually love her, treating her as more important than myself. Train me to resist the temptation to ever look around for anyone else. The world is constantly throwing distractions my way, but help me to train myself always to making her the only woman in my life.

Proverbs 30:24-25 - Small But Wise

Proverbs 30:24-25

²⁴ Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
²⁵ The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

Message: Small But Wise

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 
Solomon now introduces the reality that there are four of God's creatures on this earth that are exceedingly small, but exceedingly wise. It is a reminder to us that wisdom is not about stature but mostly allowing God to work through you to be the person you are set out to be.

I think one of the things that would be apparent is this small creature does what they are made to do. An ant brain has about 250 000 brain cells. A human brain has 10,000 million brain cells. So, the ant's brain cells is 1/40th of a human. It is rather amazing to think about and yet they have one sole message, to acquire what they need to survive. To me, there purpose is squarely one of divine providence as God made them the way they are. We are reminded here that we can learn something from them, though we wouldn't think because of their size. Yet, within their brain size they are able to go, retrieve food or what they need in the summer so they have it for the winter. Isn't it interesting that they also have a short life span of 30-45 days so this means the preparation they are doing is not for themselves, but for their brothers who will be around in the future. They are obedient to their instinct.

Proverbs 6:6-8 has already mentioned - Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. We are here  comended to get up and do something, reminding us the ant is a hard worker. Don't we always need to be reminded of this as we are so often focused on not working, but playing or resting. Isn't it interesting that it is days in which we have worked that we feel like the day has been the most complete?

The ant acts in a wise manner, doing what is best for him. Verse 25 even describes the colony of ants are not a strong people. These animals have at their instinct a wisdom that is wiser than the human. Though they are not strong they still prepare their food in the summer. Preparation does not have to do with strength. This seems to be an important reminder.

Also, we can see that ants often need each other to carry something. Thus, they work together well.

Promise: The Lord has designed us to cooperate with one another.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the illustration that you provide with the ant. Help me to learn from the ant even that you have commissioned me for a great work, to provide for my family, to take care of them, and to take care of this home that you have provided, to take care of those in the church that are commissioned to be your ambassadors full time as well as those serving overseas. Lord, help me to remember this. My job is to help others and provide for those you have put in my care. Keep me for from laziness.

Jesus Calling: December 19

Do not be weighed down by the clutter in your life: lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order. If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover that they are endless. They can eat up so much time as you devote to them.
     Instead of trying to do all your chores at once, choose the ones that need to be done today. Let the rest slip into the background of your mind, so I can be in the forefront of your awareness. Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives. I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me. Seek My Face continually throughout this day. Let My Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being. 

Proverbs 16:3
English Standard Version
Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
 
Matthew 6:33
English Standard Version
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

My Prayer
Lord, guide me and direct me to seek first the kingdom of God and your righteousness. Commit my work to the Lord.  

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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: December 16

I am speaking in the depths of your being. Be still, so that you can hear My voice. I speak in the language of Love; My words fill you with Life and Peace, Joy and Hope. I desire to talk with all of My children, but many are too busy to listen. The "work ethic" has them tied up in knots. They submit wholeheartedly to this taskmaster, wondering why they feel so distant from Me.
     Living close to Me requires making Me your First Love -- your highest priority. As you seek My Presence above all else, you experience Peace and Joy in full measure. I also am blessed when you make Me first in your life. While you journey through life in My Presence, My Glory brightens the world around you. 

Isaiah 50:4
English Standard Version
The Lord God has given me
    the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
    him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
    he awakens my ear
    to hear as those who are taught.
 
Revelation 2:4
English Standard Version
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
 
Isaiah 60:2
English Standard Version
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will be seen upon you.
 
My Prayer
Lord, I love morning - it is new and fresh. I want to be still with you and block out the day's events. I lift up my brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ no matter where they are at and pray that they would live close to You and make You their first love - their highest priority - each day. Thank you for the promise of Peace and Joy. We live in times that appear dark, but yes Lord, You will arise and Your glory will be seen. 

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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 - The Worth of a Good Name

Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

Message: The Worth of a Good Name

Time: Ecclesiastes: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

From TableTalk:
It takes a lifetime to build, but it can be destroyed in an instant by one bad decision. [We all see this, but especially when we are young. Derek sees this in school when he skips a class or walks out of a class or quits the soccer team or changes team. One action messes up everything. This happens at work even as it sometimes takes one mistake to change people's view of you.] A good name usually refers to a good reputation. The Bible sometimes portrays people who had a good name in public but whose private behavior invalidated their reputation. [This is a hard truth for society. The private lives of people are becoming more apparent in society with the transparency that is taking place through social media as it gives "the" media easier access to people's real thoughts. But, in general, the stars or the people that we look to that have gifts that society deems as not easily replaced often have a more transparent life and so their reputation is easier to be tarnished. This is election time right now and the goal often of competing candidates is to find something in a person's private life to make the other person appear not to be a good candidate.]

Ointment - From Smith's Bible Dictionary 
Some of the ointments have been known to retain their: fragrance for several hundred years. They were a much-coveted luxury, and often very expensive. [Because of our easy of going to a store and buying what we need I think we lose the significance of some substances. There was a time when something like an ointment took much time to be formed and therefore it was considered a luxury item. One idea here is a good ointment was something sought after, that people wanted. We all want a good name and we need to be careful in life of our actions.]

[This first verse of chapter 7 ends with "the day of death is better than the day birth." Often times it is the funeral that results in a lot of people showing up. There aren't droves of people showing up at a hospital to welcome a new baby. The baby needs time to become a person of value.] The day of death provides the dying person with a chance to reflect on his own heart, and it causes loved ones to reflect on their final destiny and their need of heart transformation if they are to experience life with God forever. 

Promise: A good name is not securely established until the day of death. 

 



 

Jesus Calling: February 10

     Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.
     Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom. To avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 

Luke 10:41-42
English Standard Version
⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Psalm 32:8
English Standard Version
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

My Prayer
Lord, help me to start each day with you, making you the first priority, so that I spend time with you before I read the newspaper, turn on the TV, or even prepare and eat my breakfast. Lord, I want you to be my priority. I often fail to live like this, but I know the day is better when I begin with you. Lord, I want you to be my community and my most important time. Lord, when I turn to You, You show me what is most important in my life. 

Forgive me for the trap of being on the go, feeling like I'm lost each day if I don't check my facebook page or twitter. So much of those times drown you out. I want Your Name to have the most value in my life. Help me to choose you each day so that I am crying out to You. Thank You for being there always.  

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: October 24

Lie down in green pastures of Peace. Learn to unwind whenever possible, resting in the Presence of your Shepherd. This electronic age keeps My children "wired" much of the time, too tense to find Me in the midst of their moments. I built into your very being the need for rest. How twisted the world has become when people feel guilty about meeting this basic need! How much time and energy they waste by being always on the go, rather than taking time to seek My direction for their lives.
     I have called you to walk with Me down paths of Peace. I want you to blaze a trail for others who desire to live in My peaceful Presence. I have chosen you less for your strengths than for your weaknesses, which amplify your need for Me. Depend on Me more and more, and I will shower Peace on all your paths.

Psalm 23:1-3
English Standard Version

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

Genesis 2:2-3
English Standard Version
 
² And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. ³ So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Luke 1:79

English Standard Version

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.

My Prayer
Lord, forgive me for being distracted by technology and always filling my time with this website or this application or that game or that piece of media. Lord, instead of focusing on your call for my life, I spend too much time just being entertained. But Lord, you remind me that peace isn't found through a screen but through a relationship with You. Keep me on the right course. With you as my shepherd, I shall not want. Show me that rest is not simply staring at screens, but resting with you, reading your Word, meditating on it and serving your people. I want to live in the way of peace so change my habits so that I always glorify You. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: July 6

I am your Father-God, Listen to Me! Learn what it means to be a child of the everlasting King. Your richest duty is devotion to Me. This duty is such a joyous privilege that it feels like a luxury. You tend to feel guilty about pushing back the boundaries of your life to make space for time alone with Me. The world is waiting to squeeze you into its mold and to crowd out time devoted to Me. The ways of the world have also warped your conscience, which punishes you for doing the very thing that pleases Me most: seeking My Face. Listen to Me above the clamor of voices trying to distract you. Ask My Spirit to control your mind, for He and I work in perfect harmony. Be still and attentive in My Presence. You are on holy ground. 

Isaiah 9:6
English Standard Version

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 
Zechariah 9:9
New King James Version

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.

Romans 8:15-16
English Standard Version  

¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Exodus 3:5
English Standard Version 

⁵ Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: March 8

    Save your best striving for seeking My Face. I am constantly communicating with you. To find Me and hear My voice, you must seek Me above all else. Anything that you desire more than Me becomes an idol. When you are determined to get your own way, you blot Me out of your consciousness. Instead of single-mindedly pursuing some goal, talk with Me about it. Let the Light of My Presence shine on this pursuit, so that you can see it from My perspective. If the goal fits into My plans for you, I will help you reach it. If it is contrary to My will for you, I will gradually change the desire of your heart. Seek Me first and foremost; then the rest of your life will fall into place, piece by piece.

1 Chronicles 16:11

English Standard Version (ESV)

Seek the Lord and his strength;

    seek his presence continually!

Matthew 6:33

ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

What the Lord is Saying to Me
As I have been reading and studying through Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and now Zechariah, the other gods idea in the lives of Judah and the idolatry worship is common place. And then in this reading today is the reminder that anything that I desire more than God will become an idol. I have to think about it. Having time with God each day is important, but it often gets pushed aside for other things, busy things going on in my life. It reminds me of the song, Busy Man, from Prodigal (1982). What is getting in the way? Going to bed late because I am watching TV. So, is TV really sort of an idol in my life because if I went to bed sooner, i could wake up sooner? Probably. I am trying to fit God in with everything else rather than making Him First. Seek Him First and then everything else will be added in correctly.

Am I pursuing something right, more out of selfish motives, than surrendering it to the Lord and making sure it is according to His will. 

Also, in my daily life, am I really seeking first God and His ways and His righteousness? Is God my priority or something I just supplement in my life? As I look at these verse (Matthew 6:33), it seems to be a training verse, getting me off of the cares of this world and off of what the world's messages are pummeling me. The world says I'm not happy unless I have this or that. It tells me that God is not the highest thing in life, but rather just accepting everything as being okay, is. It trains me into thinking the life is about being entertained. It trains me in the idea that life is about me and meeting my needs and my desires. And so sometimes what I think is that if I seek first the Kingdom of God then what will be added to me is more of the things of the world, the "wants" of life but really God is wanting to give my life His ways.

My Prayer
Lord, right the ship of time in my life. Lord, seeking You should be my priority and yet, I fall away from this priority continually. Remind me daily that seeking You first allows everything else in my life to fall into place as it is appropriate.

Lord, deepen my children's relationship with you. Draw them to yourself and help them seek first the kingdom of God. As they experience trials and tough times in their lives, may their focus be on you and how you can give them strength to endure any difficulty.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.