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

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Observation: The true measure of a man is not what he says about himself, but what others say about him. The true measure of eternal success is what God says about a person. Men measure success by results; God measures it by faithfulness.

Application: To hear God say, “Well done” will erase all the criticisms of others and all the hurt of failures in this life. His “Well done” will far surpass any commendations received from men.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as people did not understand the success of Job in remaining faithful to you, so people may not understand our trials. Give me the strength to remain faithful. Amen

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 72:14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

Observation: This week the governor of the state of Kansas signed a law which banns “dismemberment abortion.” The law defines them as “knowingly dismembering a living unborn child and extracting such unborn child one piece at a time from the uterus.” The baby in the womb bleeds to death as the abortionist pulls its arms and legs from its body. It is hard to believe that there were some legislatures that voted against the bill!!! It is hard to believe that such a practice was ever allowed in the USA; even still allowed in all states but Kansas. Obviously the blood of the innocent babies is not precious in the sight of the citizens of the USA! But it is in God’s sight!!

Application: It is important to put my belief into action. I need to seize the opportunities that come my way every day to be the voice of innocent babies and all innocent people who are perishing.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, the blood of the innocent is precious in my sight. We have sinned greatly in destroying that which was made in your image. Forgive us, O Lord. Help my actions to match my confession. Amen

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 8:20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

Observation: Paul would be taking a liberal offering from the churches of the province of Asia to the church in Jerusalem. He wanted to make sure that everything was done in an open and proper manner. He did not want people to turn their eyes off Jesus and focus on mishandled money.

Application: Two pair of eyes are watching me as I handle money: the eyes of the Lord and the eyes of man. The Lord’s eyes are important because obeying Him in money matters is a way to show I trust Him. Generosity is a way to show my appreciation for Him and His generosity to me. The eyes of man are important because my life becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me demonstrate my love for God and my faith in God by how I use the money you have made available to me. I want my check register to make you smile! Amen

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 66:12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

Observation: Because of their sin, God allowed other nations to rule Israel, but not destroy Israel. God had a plan for Israel in the future. The Promised Messiah would come through the nation of Israel. So God would deliver and restore Israel. Then the psalmist would go to the temple with offerings to fulfill the vows he made to God when they were in trouble. God had delivered them, now it was time to keep their promises.

Application: I remember a US Marine in Viet Nam who came to me one morning after our company had a meeting with the enemy. He said, “Doc, I got down on my knees and prayed last night!” I am sure he did, because I prayed too! In times of trouble we often make vows to the Lord, “If you get me out of this mess I will serve you, or I will take care of …, or I will make things right with …, or I will start tithing, or whatever. Like the psalmist, I must remember my word and keep the promises I made to God when I was in trouble. If there is any promise I break, let it not be one made to God!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me remember the promises I have made to God. Work in my life so that I can keep them. Amen