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March 14, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Word: The Bible, Joy, Obedience, Thanks & Praise

What Blessings Have You Enjoyed?

The teachings of the Lord are perfect; they give new strength. The rules of the Lord can be trusted; they make plain people wise. The orders of the Lord are right; they make people happy. The commands of the Lord are pure; they light up the way. Respect for the Lord is good; it will last forever. [Psalm 19:7-9a (NCV)]

The question was asked, “What blessings have you enjoyed as a result of obeying God’s word?” My first thought was the satisfaction that comes from knowing I’ve done the right thing. Then I realized that by obeying God’s word, my life is blessed, not with a sense of righteousness, but with a sense of direction, peace, and joy. Obeying God’s word enlightens, guides and restores me. Obeying God brings not just an eternal reward in heaven but also an immediate reward in this life.

Thank you, God, for loving us enough to give us your holy word to teach, direct and bless us through this life and into the next.

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are completely right. They are worth more than gold, even the purest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the finest honey. By them your servant is warned. Keeping them brings great reward. [Psalm 19:9b-11 (NCV)]

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March 13, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

The Devil Made Me Do It!

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. [1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)]

“The devil made me do it!” was the excuse comedian Flip Wilson’s character Geraldine always used. “It’s not my fault!” is such an easy excuse for us all. We need to remember, however, that Satan can’t make us do anything we don’t want to do. We are the one’s responsible for our own behavior. A certain vigilance on our part is required if we hope to avoid sin. Being tempted is not the sin; yielding to temptation is! Lord, help me recognize temptation and, with your help, turn away from it.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [1 Peter 2:1 (NLT)]

 

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March 12, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Grace & Love

He’s Not Complaining

But Jesus answered, “Stop complaining to each other.” [John 6:43 (NCV)]

When life doesn’t go the way we think it should, we often complain, “It’s not fair!” Yet, we never seem to complain about unfairness when we are the ones with the good fortune and others, perhaps more deserving, have been slighted. Our complaints place the focus on us instead of on God, where it should be.

Let’s face it; if anyone has reason for complaint, it is our heavenly Father. Mankind rebelled against Him at the first opportunity and continues to do so today. When God blessed the Israelites with freedom, they wanted to return to slavery at the first sign of trouble. When He blessed them with manna, they wanted meat. When Jesus fed the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fish, there were probably some people who complained that He’d forgotten the dessert! We’re a stubborn, bad-tempered and argumentative people. Moreover, God’s only son, a man totally free of sin, was sacrificed to pay for our sins. If anything was undeserved, it was that dark day when Christ died for us. Yet, I don’t hear God complaining. Do you?

He has not punished us as our sins should be punished; he has not repaid us for the evil we have done. [Psalm 103:10 (NCV)]

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March 11, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Trusting God

He Will Provide

I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God and have given him the skill, ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work. … I have given skills to all the craftsmen, and they will be able to make all these things I have commanded you… [Exodus 31:3,6b (NCV)]

The Lord instructed Moses on the construction of the Meeting Tent, the Ark of the Covenant, the lid that covered the Ark, and everything that would go into the Tent. He also assigned tasks to specific craftsmen. More important, God provided those men with the skills they needed to do their work. Sometimes, we’re hesitant to accept God’s call to a task because we doubt our abilities. It’s good to remember that when God calls us to do something, He will give us the necessary expertise to achieve His goal.

I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you.” [Isaiah 41:13 (NCV)]

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March 10, 2014

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Bible Stories, Fear & Doubt, God's Plan, Obedience, Trusting God

What Chutzpah!

The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!” Then Gideon said, “Sir, if the Lord is with us, why are we having so much trouble? Where are the miracles our ancestors told us he did when the Lord brought them out of Egypt? But now he has left us and has handed us over to the Midianites.” [Judges 6:1 (NCV)]

If we need an example of real chutzpah, it would be Gideon. When the angel of the Lord appeared before Gideon, instead of kneeling before him in awe, Gideon had the insolence to immediately complain about his troubles. When the Lord told Gideon he would be the one to save his people, Gideon tried to weasel his way out of it by pointing out that he was the least of the least. When the Lord reassured him, Gideon asked for proof that he was really speaking with God. Once satisfied, Gideon did as he was told and pulled down his father’s altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah idol. He then gathered an army to do battle with the Midianites. Gideon, however, continued to doubt God and had the audacity to demand that God pass not one, but two, more tests again. Now that’s chutzpah!

Are we so different from Gideon? When God speaks to us, do we recognize his voice? Instead of praising and thanking him, do we complain when life doesn’t go well? When He gives us an undertaking, do we try to get out of it by listing all of the reasons we can’t do it? Most of us use every excuse in the book to convince God we’re not up to whatever task he gives us. Once convinced the mission is from God and that we are capable, do we still have misgivings and question His way?

Father, forgive us when we doubt you, your message and your power. You’ve proven yourself to us countless times; don’t let us doubt you. Reassure us that we are, indeed, capable of great things when you are the one sending us.

The Lord turned to Gideon and said, “Go with your strength and save Israel from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you.” [Judges 6:14 (NCV)]

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March 9, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

Time to Change Our Clocks and Attitudes

You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. However, you were taught to have a new attitude. You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. [Ephesians 4:22-23 (GW)]

Today, we start daylight saving time. In an effort to take advantage of the sun’s light, we move our clocks one hour forward. While we change our clocks, perhaps we want to check and see if we need any change of attitude as well. With a little adjustment of our mindset, we may be better able to enjoy the Son’s light!

Please, God, give me the desire to put away my old behavior. The old way is so familiar and I’ve become comfortable in some long-standing bad habits. I know there are changes I need to make in my life, help me to make them. I want the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [Philippians 2:1-5 (GW)]