Today I read Joshua 4:8-8:15 and John 11:1-57. My favorite verses are:
Joshua 7:10 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Prayer is vital to a powerful Christian life. God’s children sometimes need to literally fall on their faces before God to confess sin or to intercede for another person or to bring special needs to God and ask for His help. But there comes a time when God tells us to GET UP! We must be busy about His work—obedient to His calling and command. We need to live our lives knowing that they are forever. If we believe in the Son of God, we need not fear death or destruction. He has promised that even death will not separate us from Him and His power. He has conquered every enemy—even death. Believe in God and His Son; then get up and live your life sustained by Their presence.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Strength and Courage
Since my last post, I have read Deuteronomy 33:4-Joshua 4:7 and John 9:24-10:42. My favorite verses are:
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
We are to obey the commandments of the Lord; after all, they are commandments, not suggestions. If we are doing so, we can be strong and courageous. God will be with us and we will not need to be afraid of anything. As Christ followed his Father's commandment, he received courage and strength to be obedient even to death. He laid down His life; He had the power to do that because He was obeying His Father. It is not easy to obey and serve God, but there are great rewards for doing so. Christ is now in heaven with His Father. We have the promise that we will join Them there if we have accepted the gift of salvation for which He died.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
We are to obey the commandments of the Lord; after all, they are commandments, not suggestions. If we are doing so, we can be strong and courageous. God will be with us and we will not need to be afraid of anything. As Christ followed his Father's commandment, he received courage and strength to be obedient even to death. He laid down His life; He had the power to do that because He was obeying His Father. It is not easy to obey and serve God, but there are great rewards for doing so. Christ is now in heaven with His Father. We have the promise that we will join Them there if we have accepted the gift of salvation for which He died.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Know the Truth
Today I read Deuteronomy 30:4-33:3 and John 8:25-9:23. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
God is a God of truth; Jesus told us that knowing the truth will make us free. To know God is to be free from the power of sin in our lives. If we seek God and obey God, we can live an abundant life with joy and peace. God is a God of judgment; but if we are living in His will, we do not need to fear that judgment—it will be for our enemies. If there is ever a disagreement between us and God, God is right and we are wrong. God is perfect; we are not. We must learn to bow to His truth and justice and be very grateful that it is tempered by His grace and mercy. May you know the truth today!
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
God is a God of truth; Jesus told us that knowing the truth will make us free. To know God is to be free from the power of sin in our lives. If we seek God and obey God, we can live an abundant life with joy and peace. God is a God of judgment; but if we are living in His will, we do not need to fear that judgment—it will be for our enemies. If there is ever a disagreement between us and God, God is right and we are wrong. God is perfect; we are not. We must learn to bow to His truth and justice and be very grateful that it is tempered by His grace and mercy. May you know the truth today!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Move Up
Today I read Deuteronomy 29:1-30:3 and John 8:1-24. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Once again God reminds His people to keep the words of His covenant. He includes a promise for prosperity for those who obey. But it is so difficult sometimes to obey God even when we know there are rewards for obedience and consequences for disobedience. Jesus tells us clearly what the problem is. We are “of this world”; we are not “from above”. Because God made us human, in the likeness of Adam, we are prone to sin. It is only by accepting Jesus as our Savior that we have any hope of leaving the realms beneath and going to the realms above. He lifts us up to a higher plane and makes us a part of God’s family. Thank you, God, for coming down to lift me up!
Deuteronomy 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Once again God reminds His people to keep the words of His covenant. He includes a promise for prosperity for those who obey. But it is so difficult sometimes to obey God even when we know there are rewards for obedience and consequences for disobedience. Jesus tells us clearly what the problem is. We are “of this world”; we are not “from above”. Because God made us human, in the likeness of Adam, we are prone to sin. It is only by accepting Jesus as our Savior that we have any hope of leaving the realms beneath and going to the realms above. He lifts us up to a higher plane and makes us a part of God’s family. Thank you, God, for coming down to lift me up!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Jesus with God
Today I read Deuteronomy 28 and John 7:20-53. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
John 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
God has told his people from the beginning that He expects them to keep His commandments and obey Him. Jesus came to live on this earth in the flesh so that He could be our intercessor with the Father. After he was crucified and rose again from the dead, He returned to the Father. Now, He speaks to the Father on our behalf when we fail to keep the commandments. When we seek forgiveness in the name of Jesus, He joins us in asking the Father to forgive us. What a wonderful thing to have Jesus on our side helping us to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Stay close to Jesus, and in doing so you will be close to God.
Deuteronomy 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
John 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
God has told his people from the beginning that He expects them to keep His commandments and obey Him. Jesus came to live on this earth in the flesh so that He could be our intercessor with the Father. After he was crucified and rose again from the dead, He returned to the Father. Now, He speaks to the Father on our behalf when we fail to keep the commandments. When we seek forgiveness in the name of Jesus, He joins us in asking the Father to forgive us. What a wonderful thing to have Jesus on our side helping us to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Stay close to Jesus, and in doing so you will be close to God.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Bread of Life
Today I read Deuteronomy 23:8-27:26 and John 6:33-7:19. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
To obey God is important because it allows us to live in harmony with others as well as with God. His commandments tell us how to get along with people around us—they are good, common sense rules. Jesus went further in His instructions for life. He tells us that if we come to Him, we will never want for anything. We will not only have what we need in this life, we will have eternal life with Him. He doesn’t promise to give us everything we want, but our needs will be met. He is the bread of life; He sustains us day by day. Rest in Him for today and forever.
Deuteronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
To obey God is important because it allows us to live in harmony with others as well as with God. His commandments tell us how to get along with people around us—they are good, common sense rules. Jesus went further in His instructions for life. He tells us that if we come to Him, we will never want for anything. We will not only have what we need in this life, we will have eternal life with Him. He doesn’t promise to give us everything we want, but our needs will be met. He is the bread of life; He sustains us day by day. Rest in Him for today and forever.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Be Not Afraid
Today I read Deuteronomy 19:1-23:7 and John 6:4-32. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
John 6:20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
God is with you if you are a Christian—one of His children saved by faith in His Son Jesus Christ. His Spirit dwells within you. The promises given in His word are as true for you today as they were for those He spoke to in the Bible. He fights for you against your enemies; He is on your side. But some of His own children are not expecting Him to come to their aid. When He comes, they are frightened because they do not understand that He wants to take care of them. To them He says, as Jesus did to His disciples in John 6, “It is I; be not afraid.” Let God come to you and be with you and protect you. Don’t be afraid!
Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
John 6:20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
God is with you if you are a Christian—one of His children saved by faith in His Son Jesus Christ. His Spirit dwells within you. The promises given in His word are as true for you today as they were for those He spoke to in the Bible. He fights for you against your enemies; He is on your side. But some of His own children are not expecting Him to come to their aid. When He comes, they are frightened because they do not understand that He wants to take care of them. To them He says, as Jesus did to His disciples in John 6, “It is I; be not afraid.” Let God come to you and be with you and protect you. Don’t be afraid!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Honour the Son
Today I read Deuteronomy 16:13-18:22 and John 4:47-5:47. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
God promised to send a prophet "like Moses" to the Israelite people. In fact, He sent His Son Jesus who spoke words from the Father to the children of Israel. But His words were not to the Israelites only--they were to all people in the world. God sent His Son with the message of salvation--freedom from the bondage of sin, and access to the Promised Land, which spiritually is the eternal kingdom of heaven. We can receive the free gift of eternal life if we believe the message of God's greatest prophet--his Son.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Worship and Rejoice
Today I read Deuteronomy 14:14-16:12 and John 4:18-46. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 16:11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God wants us to rejoice in our worship of Him. He wants families to rejoice in His presence. He wants those who are in difficult circumstances to rejoice in Him. He says to rejoice in the place which He has chosen. Sometimes we find ourselves in places where we would rather not be; we need to seek the Lord’s will and get in the place He has chosen for us—the place where He is. Then we can worship Him in spirit and truth and rejoice in knowing that we are in His presence.
Deuteronomy 16:11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God wants us to rejoice in our worship of Him. He wants families to rejoice in His presence. He wants those who are in difficult circumstances to rejoice in Him. He says to rejoice in the place which He has chosen. Sometimes we find ourselves in places where we would rather not be; we need to seek the Lord’s will and get in the place He has chosen for us—the place where He is. Then we can worship Him in spirit and truth and rejoice in knowing that we are in His presence.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Which Path?
Since my last entry, I have read Deuteronomy 8:14-14:13 and John 1:43-4:17. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
God asks us to do certain things in relation to Him—fear, love, serve, keep commandments, and believe on His Son. He says it is for our good. We will be rewarded with abundant life here and everlasting life in heaven with Him. There are also consequences for those who fail to do what God asks—they will suffer the wrath of God. The same God who gives abundant blessings to those who obey him will rain abundant wrath on those who will not obey! They will suffer in this life and spend an eternity separated from God in a fiery hell where there will be no relief even for a moment. Each of us makes a choice; God acts based on that choice. Which path have you chosen?
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
God asks us to do certain things in relation to Him—fear, love, serve, keep commandments, and believe on His Son. He says it is for our good. We will be rewarded with abundant life here and everlasting life in heaven with Him. There are also consequences for those who fail to do what God asks—they will suffer the wrath of God. The same God who gives abundant blessings to those who obey him will rain abundant wrath on those who will not obey! They will suffer in this life and spend an eternity separated from God in a fiery hell where there will be no relief even for a moment. Each of us makes a choice; God acts based on that choice. Which path have you chosen?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Walk His Way
Today I read Deuteronomy 6:14-8:13 and John 1:14-42. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
If we walk in the way that God leads, it will take us to His Son, the Lamb of God. And He will take away our sin and save us for eternity. We will live forever with the Father and the Son. We can never keep all the commandments of God on our own; it is only by the grace of God through His Son Jesus that we can be made perfect because our sin is forgiven and covered by the blood of His sacrifice. If you have never done so before, come to Jesus today and ask Him to forgive you and walk with you from this day forward. If you know Him as your Savior, be sure you are walking in His ways—that He is the Lord of your life.
Deuteronomy 8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
If we walk in the way that God leads, it will take us to His Son, the Lamb of God. And He will take away our sin and save us for eternity. We will live forever with the Father and the Son. We can never keep all the commandments of God on our own; it is only by the grace of God through His Son Jesus that we can be made perfect because our sin is forgiven and covered by the blood of His sacrifice. If you have never done so before, come to Jesus today and ask Him to forgive you and walk with you from this day forward. If you know Him as your Savior, be sure you are walking in His ways—that He is the Lord of your life.
Good Heartburn
Yesterday I read Deuteronomy 4:1-6:13, Luke 24:9-53, and John 1:1-13. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
God wants us to seek him with every part of our being—heart and soul. The disciples in Luke said their heart burned as he spoke to them. We all need that kind of heart burn. Let God speak to you until you feel a fire in your heart and soul that compels you to tell others about the great things He has done in your life!
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
God wants us to seek him with every part of our being—heart and soul. The disciples in Luke said their heart burned as he spoke to them. We all need that kind of heart burn. Let God speak to you until you feel a fire in your heart and soul that compels you to tell others about the great things He has done in your life!
Friday, April 9, 2010
God wants to bless!
Since my last entry, I have read Deuteronomy 1:4-3:29 and Luke 23:7-24:8. My favorite verses are:
Deuteronomy 1:25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
These two verses show the contrast between what God wants to do for us and what we choose for ourselves. God desires to give us a good land with good fruit—a place where we can prosper and enjoy His blessings. We choose, by our disobedience, to be punished until we wish for even the land to turn against us and deliver us from God’s judgment. We want the mountains and hills to hide us from the face of God. Nothing can hide us from God, and if we seek His forgiveness and choose to be obedient to His will, we can receive the blessings that He wants to give to us.
Deuteronomy 1:25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
These two verses show the contrast between what God wants to do for us and what we choose for ourselves. God desires to give us a good land with good fruit—a place where we can prosper and enjoy His blessings. We choose, by our disobedience, to be punished until we wish for even the land to turn against us and deliver us from God’s judgment. We want the mountains and hills to hide us from the face of God. Nothing can hide us from God, and if we seek His forgiveness and choose to be obedient to His will, we can receive the blessings that He wants to give to us.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Use His Mouth and Wisdom
Today I read Chapters 32-36 of Numbers and Deuteronomy 1:1-3 as well as Luke 21:1-23:6. My favorite verses are:
Numbers 33:38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Aaron obeyed God, even to the point of death. This is a good legacy for any Christian to leave behind for his family and friends. God told Aaron that he was going to the mountain to die. I’m sure Aaron would have liked to go into the Promised Land with the children of Israel, but it was not to be so. After being a priest to them for more than 40 years, he was ordered to pass the torch to his son and go home to his Father. God decides when it is time for each of His children to leave this world behind and come home to Him. We simply need to serve him faithfully until that time comes. We are never alone—He is always with us to help and guide us. In Luke 21:15 we are promised, just as Moses was, that God will speak through us with power and authority. We do not need to fear our adversaries because God will make us able to overcome them in word and deed. When we don’t know what to do or say, God will make a way!
Numbers 33:38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Aaron obeyed God, even to the point of death. This is a good legacy for any Christian to leave behind for his family and friends. God told Aaron that he was going to the mountain to die. I’m sure Aaron would have liked to go into the Promised Land with the children of Israel, but it was not to be so. After being a priest to them for more than 40 years, he was ordered to pass the torch to his son and go home to his Father. God decides when it is time for each of His children to leave this world behind and come home to Him. We simply need to serve him faithfully until that time comes. We are never alone—He is always with us to help and guide us. In Luke 21:15 we are promised, just as Moses was, that God will speak through us with power and authority. We do not need to fear our adversaries because God will make us able to overcome them in word and deed. When we don’t know what to do or say, God will make a way!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Have a Blessed Easter Weekend
Yesterday and today I read Numbers 28:13-31:54 and Luke 19:37-20:47. My favorite verses are:
Numbers 29:39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
It is Easter weekend—a very special time for Christians. Jesus willingly gave His life as a sacrifice for our sin so that we could be forgiven by God and live eternally with Him. But as I read my Bible yesterday and today, I couldn’t help but think how much the verses above reminded me of Christmas. The verse from Numbers speaks of all the different vows and offerings which the Israelites were commanded to give to the Lord. We tend to associate Christmas with gift-giving, and this verse reminds me that no matter how many gifts we give to God, we cannot keep up with the blessings He gives to us. We are not living under the law; we are not required to make ritual sacrifices as the Israelites were in the Old Testament, but we are expected to give cheerfully to the Lord and His work on a regular basis. The verse in Luke contains the phrase “glory in the highest” which is most often associated with Christmas, but here it is used the week before Easter. The same sentiments expressed at His birth were still valid at the time of His death. Blessing and glory to the King, the Lord, the God of heaven and earth! Praise Him as you recall the price He paid so that you might have eternal life.
Numbers 29:39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
It is Easter weekend—a very special time for Christians. Jesus willingly gave His life as a sacrifice for our sin so that we could be forgiven by God and live eternally with Him. But as I read my Bible yesterday and today, I couldn’t help but think how much the verses above reminded me of Christmas. The verse from Numbers speaks of all the different vows and offerings which the Israelites were commanded to give to the Lord. We tend to associate Christmas with gift-giving, and this verse reminds me that no matter how many gifts we give to God, we cannot keep up with the blessings He gives to us. We are not living under the law; we are not required to make ritual sacrifices as the Israelites were in the Old Testament, but we are expected to give cheerfully to the Lord and His work on a regular basis. The verse in Luke contains the phrase “glory in the highest” which is most often associated with Christmas, but here it is used the week before Easter. The same sentiments expressed at His birth were still valid at the time of His death. Blessing and glory to the King, the Lord, the God of heaven and earth! Praise Him as you recall the price He paid so that you might have eternal life.
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