Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 31:22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.

Observation: Here the Psalmist, David, is saying that he spoke too soon. He allowed circumstances rather than faith direct his words. He was frightened and felt there was no one to help. But a merciful God saw his heart and did not respond according to his confession. This psalm is written in appreciation for God’s help in time of trouble.

Application: I too am thankful that God, in His kindness, love and mercy, has often overlooked my foolish confessions that my situations were hopeless. Think, Leon! How can any situation be hopeless when I am walking in the will of God with His Holy Spirit living inside!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for not holding to my foolish confessions. Holy Spirit set a watch on my mouth that I speak only words of faith that honor my Father. My confession is to be of your Presence, your power, your love, and your willingness to help me. Amen

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 6:1 Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. … 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Observation: This passage reveals two sources of rewards. Two things should be noted. First: one source is temporary and the other eternal. Obviously the eternal is much more desirable! Second: one source can cancel out the other. If my goal for doing good works is to be noticed in this life I need not expect a reward in Heaven.

I am thinking that ministries who entice people to give by offering a reward might be robbing the givers of their eternal reward???

Application: I have so many good motives for giving: loving God, loving His people, loving the world, compassion for those hurting, thanksgiving for what I have received, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, becoming a giver like God, recognizing that all I have really belongs to Him. And yes, giving can be like sowing a seed and expecting a harvest. But so much about the harvest depends on Him!

And when no one knows that I am giving or what I am giving, I have discovered that God takes the responsibility to repay or reward! I am blest when I know the reward came from Him!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the greatest Giver who gave the greatest Gift to the greatest need. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son! Help me learn the joy of giving. Amen

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD:
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Observation: The psalmist, David, was making sure that God got the credit when he spoke of his victories. His boasting would not be of his own strength or wisdom, but of what God had accomplished through him.

Application: Boasting in myself can be prideful or lead to becoming prideful. When people hear me boast in myself, they can admire me, but they cannot depend on me to help them. When I boast in the Lord, people admire the Lord and they are encouraged to depend on Him to help them too!

I need to listen to myself talk. It is not good to use to many “I’s” when talking about what I have done. It was really God working though me. He deserves the credit. I should boast in the Lord!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you alone deserve all the credit and all the glory! I depend on you and your strength. My soul will boast in you, Oh LORD! Amen

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Observation: A kingdom is a structure of authority with a king at the top. God’s kingdom is the structure of authority with God at the top. Jesus did not preach a kingdom off somewhere in the sky, but a kingdom that was among them. He did not just preach the kingdom; he demonstrated the power of the kingdom. He healed their diseases and sicknesses. The kingdom Jesus preached made a difference in their lives. The people could see the authority of this kingdom. Jesus even taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Application: God’s kingdom is just as close to people today as it was in the day Jesus was walking on the earth. It is just as close because the King lives in me. My life is to be an expression of God’s authority. People should be able to see God’s kingdom in me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want my life to be an expression of your wise and loving rule. Amen

April 16: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Justice/Injustice

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them…
7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.

Observation: In these two verses from Psalm 11, we see that the Jehovah God is on His throne. He is not attempting to gain His throne; He is already in the position of supreme authority. We see that he is interested in the affairs of men. He is looking at them. He is considers their ways. His character is righteous and for him justice is a passion.

Application: Righteousness and justice is very important to God who lives in me. No wonder my spirit is troubled when I allow sin into my life. He is a righteous God. No wonder I am so bothered when I view injustice. He loves justice. He wants to use my voice to speak against injustice. He wants to use my hands and feet to act and stand against injustice.

Prayer: Heavenly Father when I am bothered by injustice, may I be reminded that you feel the same way. May I be your mouth, your hands and feet doing what you would do to defeat injustice. Amen

April 15: 1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

History

Scripture: 1Samuel (NIV) 17:37 [David Speaking] The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” …38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “Because I am not used to them. “ So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Observation: David’s history did included being delivered from the paw of the lion and the bear. David knew what God could do. David’s history did not include a coat of armor, a bronze helmet, and a sword. David’s history did include a staff, a sling, stones, and a shepherd’s bag. David’s history was sufficient for the battle with the giant because His history included God!

Application: In walking with the Lord, I find that His preparation is sufficient for my part in the battles I face. I need to remember past lessons as I face today’s battles. I can recall that I did not always feel prepared for the battle, but faith in God always got me through. The faith I had last year, last month and last week is the faith that will bring me victory today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your work in my life in the past. Thank you for the faith you caused to grow in my life. Today I confess that my trust is in you. I face today with confidence that you will work through me for my good and for your glory. Amen

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Observation: Here is an extremely important portion of scripture. For Jesus to be the acceptable sacrifice to pay for sin, His blood line had to be sinless. In these verses we see that Mary’s pregnancy was not by Joseph, but by the Holy Spirit. Being born of Mary, Jesus is the Son of man. Being impregnated by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the Son of God.

Application: Jesus most often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.” Jesus laid aside His deity to live on earth as a man full of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is proof that the Holy Spirit can live in a human body. As the Son of Man full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is my example. I too must live my life full of the Holy Spirit, being led to live my life like Jesus! To be like Jesus, I must live my life full of the Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, live in me the life you lived in Jesus as He walked this earth. Amen

April 11: 1Samuel 14; 1Chronicales 4; 2Corinthians 13

Faith in Action

Scripture: 1Samuel (NIV) 14:23 So the LORD rescued Israel that day…

Observation: Reading the beginning of this chapter, we see the victory started when Jonathan, the king’s son, challenged his armor-bearer to step out in faith that God would use them to bring victory. “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (verse 6) Although they were only two, they took the risk of showing themselves to the enemy and engaging in the fight. They did not run from the fight, but climbed to the higher ground held by the enemy.

God likes to show Himself strong on behalf of those who step out in faith, depending on His help. They are taking a risk of great failure if God does not help.

Application: I need not fear what appears as obvious failure when I am doing what I believe God wants me to do. From the days of Jonathan to now, God has not changed. God showed up for Jonathan and He will show up for Leon. He has in the past and He will in the future.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your heart must have rejoiced to see Jonathan express his faith in you. I want your heart to rejoice in my actions also. Amen

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance.
12:19 …and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

Observation: Here is Paul’s explanation an apostle’s ministry. It is obviously one of oversight but signs, wonders and miracles are a major part. It is not that they happened once or twice, but they continue being seen in that ministry. And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry. The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.

Application: I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others. A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful. If I am useful, I will be used. If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used. But if I cannot be used, I will be useless. It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used! With age should come maturity. It should be easy for people to use me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may the temptation of feeling used, be replaced with the joy of being useful, to You and Your church. Amen

NOTE: Those who think they have no way to be useful have little appreciation for the power of prayer!

Scripture: 1Samuel (NIV) 12:24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.

Observation: This is the closing in Samuel’s farewell message. First, they were to have high honor for the LORD. It is wise to fear one so awesome. He stands alone with none that can compare to him. Second they are to serve God unswervingly and willingly—not because they have to but because it is their joy to serve such a great and wonderful God! Third, they must not forget what God had done for them.

Application: Since I serve the God of Israel, these words apply to me. God deserves my highest honor and respect. God should not have to ‘twist my arm” or force me to serve him. It is not a burden—it is my pleasure to serve him. And I must not forget what He has done for me. What I do for Him compares as nothing to what He has done for me!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I honor you and serve you joyfully. When I remember what you have done for me, how can I do less than give you my all. I still sing: “All that I am; all that I have; all I shall ever be, cannot repay the love debt I owe; I surrender to Thee.” Amen