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01-03-2009, 06:18 PM
13 When they went from one nation to another,
From one kingdom to another people,
14 He permitted no one to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
15 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.” Psalm 105
-----
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Psalm 112:1-5
-----
Rejoice and give thanks
In all things give thanks unto the Lord your God.
Enter into His Courts with thanksgiving and praise Him for all His mighty acts.
There is nothing too big for Him to answer nor anything too insignificant for Him to care.
He makes provision for the most insignificant of His creatures, the butterflies and birds of the air.
How much more will He make provision for the dearly beloved people for whom His Son, Jesus died on the cross at calvary?
Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and believe on the Lord, your God.
He is willing to heal the sick, to uplift the downtrodden, to make straight the crooked ways, to revive the souls of the backsliders, and to bring peace in the midst of the storms of strife.
Rejoice and give thanks.
©01/04/2001 Jim Welch
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Through the Process
"Listen Carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it" (Luke 9:44-45).
Did you ever wonder how many things are hidden from us or how many times God tells us something while the meaning is hidden from our understanding? Jesus told the disciples something He knew they would not understand. Yet He knew that one day, when the timing was best, what He told them would make perfect sense to them.
It has been said that God works in mysterious ways--mysterious to us, perhaps, but not so mysterious to Him. Mysterious or not, His ways hold true to His nature. There are times that God will tell us something which seems hidden, but only because He tells us long before He reveals its meaning to us. And when He does reveal the meaning to us, it is certain to be at a time that the final piece of the puzzle is put in place. It is then that we remember several previous times that God spoke in relation to a particular topic or event. And it is then that His most recent revelation draws everything together into a neatly packaged whole.
There are many things that God can only show us a little at a time, while He conceals the meaning of the whole until the perfect time. Piece by piece He constructs the puzzle to show us the whole picture--very possibly because we are unable to bear the whole picture all at once. It is a process of revelation that brings lasting significance to the end result.
Our responsibility is to allow God to take us through this process. We are not to see the first piece and then determine that we understand the whole. For if we do, we may act only on what we see at a particular point within the process. Therefore, we must be careful not to jump the gun, but to "wait upon the Lord," ponder what He has shown us so far, and eagerly anticipate the next piece of the puzzle. When the puzzle is complete, we will know it, and God will have made it clear what our next step is.
Consider Abraham. Throughout his life he was given direction one piece at a time. He was told to leave his homeland and to go to a place that God would reveal to him later. Abraham did not conclude where he was to go, but went, and trusted God to show him in God's time. Abraham did not know what God's plan would be for his life, but he followed God through the process, step by faithful step.
What God shows us today is what is often what is needed for now. But it is quite possibly just a piece of a greater picture. If we can keep this in mind, we will have an easier time waiting upon the Lord to reveal his plan piece by piece--as He takes us through the process.
Patience is a virtue,
But faith is its cornerstone.
Day by Day Devotionals
-----
January 4
Read Genesis 10 -- 12
Highlights In Today's Reading:
What a time to be alive! After the flood destroyed all of the human race except Noah's family, God introduces the Hebrew race beginning with Abram.
Our fallen nature, which desires greatness and has a passion for importance, should be our principle concern. Nimrod began to be a mighty one in the earth (10:8) and was the first leader of human government. Motivated by pride and ambition and led by Nimrod, the people intended to build us a city and a tower (of Babel) . . . and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth (11:4). They also attempted to build a kingdom in defiance of the Kingdom of God. God's plan of unity is spiritual. Spiritual unity is an invisible bond that binds believers to one another through Christ. The people at Babel attempted to defy the command of God to replenish the earth (1:28; 9:1). . . . lest we be scattered abroad. God dealt with this rebellion by dividing the people into nations who spoke different languages and He scattered them across the face of the earth. From that time on, Babel (or Babylon) became a symbol of this present evil world (Gal 1:4) motivated by Satan in defiance of the Word of God. Historic Babylon has been destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah 13:19-22, but this God-defying spirit of rebellion against the authority of God's Word still remains today, attempting to dominate and control the minds of men. (See Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21.)
There is no record of repentence for the sin committed at Babel and, in each successive generation, true worship was once again lost. Just one man, Abram, found favor in the eyes of God. He was called of God to leave the security of his home and friends to do the will of God. Abram is mentioned 74 times in the New Testament. Through faith all believers in Christ are counted as Abram's descendents: If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:29). Abram's first act of faith is recorded in Gen. 12:1-4 and confirmed again in the New Testament: By faith Abraham, when he was called . . . obeyed. . . . For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:8-10).
Many today, like the people of Babel, are too occupied with looking for sources other than God's Word in an attempt to build their own "kingdom," popularity, importance, and other goals in life. It is one thing to know that the Bible reveals God's will; it is quite another to prayerfully read it daily with a heartfelt desire to please Him — with eyes, like Abraham's, focused on the Kingdom of God. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2).
Thought for Today:
Since the spirit of defiance is alive and well in our world today, we must be even more on guard that we wholly follow the Word of God.
Christ Revealed:
As the Promised Seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:3,7; compare Matt. 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16). Abraham was a type of Christ who leads the way to a far better promised land (John 14:2-4,6; Heb. 11:8-10).
Word Studies:
10:5 isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands = they became separate nations; after his tongue = according to their language; 11:3 Go to = Come; slime = probably pitch and tar; 11:4 upon = over; make us a name = become a great people; glorify ourselves rather than God; lest we be = instead of our being; 11:9 confound = confuse; 12:5 substance = possessions; 12:7 seed = descendants, offspring; 12:10 sojourn = live temporarily; grievous = severe.
-----
Sheep or Savior
Hebrews 9:14
”How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Saved by God’s Grace
Watching a two-year old get dressed is really a trip! The little guy knows he is supposed to put his legs into his pants. First, he tries putting his foot through the bottom of the pant leg. Oops! Then, he manages to get both legs into the same one. Can’t walk that way! After a dozen tries, he carries the pants to Mom, holds them up to her and says, “Help, please.”
The Old Testament Jews were a lot like a two-year old getting dressed. They wanted desperately to please God. He had told them to kill sheep and goats as sacrifices for their sins, but they had to do it over and over again. Every year they took animals to the Temple, watched the priest kill them and sprinkle their blood over the people and on the altar. For a while, they felt forgiven. But, then they sinned again. They told a lie, got angry, maybe even cheated their neighbor out of some grain by holding their thumb on the scale. Before they knew it, they were feeling spiritually dirty.
Jesus’ death on the cross was God’s answer to mankind’s cry of desperation, “Help me, please!” We all know that we break his standards in our thoughts and attitudes several times a day, let alone our stupid and rebellious actions. Since Jesus perfectly kept every one of God’s laws, he could pay the death penalty we deserve. God accepted his death as payment for us. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, God forgives us forever from all of our sins. He even cleanses our conscience, making us free from guilt and shame over our sinful actions and thoughts.
In order to receive help getting dressed, a two-year-old has to give up doing it himself. He has to go to a “higher power” and ask for what he needs. We have to do the same if we want true and lasting forgiveness. We have to give up trying to please God ourselves. We have to go to him and ask for help. We also have to accept the help he has determined will do the job by placing our faith in Jesus as His Son and our Savior.
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for all the bad things I do and think every day. So often, I’m rebelling against you and my parent in my mind, even when I’m doing what is expected of me. Please forgive me because Jesus died in my place. Clean me up and help me obey you from now on—from my heart. Amen.
Written by Martha E Menne, Flagstaff Arizona
-----
1 Chronicles 16:27 "Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place."
To be conscious of His presence is to be walking in His light. The light repels all darkness. Satan hides in darkness.
His presence brings in an awesome sense of safety and security. A hiding place from all the fears of life. There is life in His presence. We don't walk around feeling lost and forsaken, but knowing there is help in every situation.
In His presence we have peace that passes all understanding. In His presence we have love that will never quit.
Learn to walk in His presence and loneliness will vanish away. Reckon on His presence.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
-----
1 Minute Daily Devotions
January 4, 2009
The Prince of Peace?
"'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.'" - Matthew 10:34
Many Christians are a bit unsettled when they learn that Christ - the Prince of Peace - proclaimed that He would bring division in this world. What did he mean by "division" and how does this reconcile with His mission on earth? Understand this: The reason Christ brings division is because He has invaded enemy territory. When Christ left His throne in heaven and came to the earth to be the Savior for mankind, Christ invaded the enemy territory of the evil one, who has so many of the world in captivity. And the fact is slave owners do not willingly give up their slaves. Think of the response of the Egyptians when Moses said, "Let my people go!" The Egyptians resisted mightily; they didn't want to lose all that free labor. Think about the Old South. Do you think many of our forefathers were eager to let the slaves go? No! It was all about money, pride, and arrogance. And look at what’s happening today in Sudan. Do you think the Moslems there are eager to free their Christian slaves?
Well, it's the same with the devil. When he has a person enslaved to sin, he fights like the dickens when someone tries to free that person from his captivity. That's exactly why Christ came; to save those in captivity and to confront the evil one who enslaves people to sin. And that battle creates division - a division that is a natural byproduct in the war for your soul.
-----
AN ANCHOR
“This lack of anchorage to any permanent values, this blindness to the true purpose of our lives, produced another bad result.” 12&12 p.72, Step Seven
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19
For what it's worth: There was no anchorage before. Alcohol created the storms and set me adrift in the rough waters with no compass and no power. There was no hope of rescue. But, just before I sank, an unfamiliar, strong wind directed me to a place of quite, calm waters in Alcoholics Anonymous. There I was safe from the insidious power of alcohol, and I found “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”. There I found hope and a loving Higher Power. Many a storm has tried to break me loose from that anchor, but none have succeeded. That experience deepens my hope and strengthens my trust in my Heavenly Father. Today, I am solidly anchored. So, bring on this new day!
God bless you!
Joe W.
From one kingdom to another people,
14 He permitted no one to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
15 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.” Psalm 105
-----
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Psalm 112:1-5
-----
Rejoice and give thanks
In all things give thanks unto the Lord your God.
Enter into His Courts with thanksgiving and praise Him for all His mighty acts.
There is nothing too big for Him to answer nor anything too insignificant for Him to care.
He makes provision for the most insignificant of His creatures, the butterflies and birds of the air.
How much more will He make provision for the dearly beloved people for whom His Son, Jesus died on the cross at calvary?
Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and believe on the Lord, your God.
He is willing to heal the sick, to uplift the downtrodden, to make straight the crooked ways, to revive the souls of the backsliders, and to bring peace in the midst of the storms of strife.
Rejoice and give thanks.
©01/04/2001 Jim Welch
-----
Through the Process
"Listen Carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it" (Luke 9:44-45).
Did you ever wonder how many things are hidden from us or how many times God tells us something while the meaning is hidden from our understanding? Jesus told the disciples something He knew they would not understand. Yet He knew that one day, when the timing was best, what He told them would make perfect sense to them.
It has been said that God works in mysterious ways--mysterious to us, perhaps, but not so mysterious to Him. Mysterious or not, His ways hold true to His nature. There are times that God will tell us something which seems hidden, but only because He tells us long before He reveals its meaning to us. And when He does reveal the meaning to us, it is certain to be at a time that the final piece of the puzzle is put in place. It is then that we remember several previous times that God spoke in relation to a particular topic or event. And it is then that His most recent revelation draws everything together into a neatly packaged whole.
There are many things that God can only show us a little at a time, while He conceals the meaning of the whole until the perfect time. Piece by piece He constructs the puzzle to show us the whole picture--very possibly because we are unable to bear the whole picture all at once. It is a process of revelation that brings lasting significance to the end result.
Our responsibility is to allow God to take us through this process. We are not to see the first piece and then determine that we understand the whole. For if we do, we may act only on what we see at a particular point within the process. Therefore, we must be careful not to jump the gun, but to "wait upon the Lord," ponder what He has shown us so far, and eagerly anticipate the next piece of the puzzle. When the puzzle is complete, we will know it, and God will have made it clear what our next step is.
Consider Abraham. Throughout his life he was given direction one piece at a time. He was told to leave his homeland and to go to a place that God would reveal to him later. Abraham did not conclude where he was to go, but went, and trusted God to show him in God's time. Abraham did not know what God's plan would be for his life, but he followed God through the process, step by faithful step.
What God shows us today is what is often what is needed for now. But it is quite possibly just a piece of a greater picture. If we can keep this in mind, we will have an easier time waiting upon the Lord to reveal his plan piece by piece--as He takes us through the process.
Patience is a virtue,
But faith is its cornerstone.
Day by Day Devotionals
-----
January 4
Read Genesis 10 -- 12
Highlights In Today's Reading:
What a time to be alive! After the flood destroyed all of the human race except Noah's family, God introduces the Hebrew race beginning with Abram.
Our fallen nature, which desires greatness and has a passion for importance, should be our principle concern. Nimrod began to be a mighty one in the earth (10:8) and was the first leader of human government. Motivated by pride and ambition and led by Nimrod, the people intended to build us a city and a tower (of Babel) . . . and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth (11:4). They also attempted to build a kingdom in defiance of the Kingdom of God. God's plan of unity is spiritual. Spiritual unity is an invisible bond that binds believers to one another through Christ. The people at Babel attempted to defy the command of God to replenish the earth (1:28; 9:1). . . . lest we be scattered abroad. God dealt with this rebellion by dividing the people into nations who spoke different languages and He scattered them across the face of the earth. From that time on, Babel (or Babylon) became a symbol of this present evil world (Gal 1:4) motivated by Satan in defiance of the Word of God. Historic Babylon has been destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah 13:19-22, but this God-defying spirit of rebellion against the authority of God's Word still remains today, attempting to dominate and control the minds of men. (See Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21.)
There is no record of repentence for the sin committed at Babel and, in each successive generation, true worship was once again lost. Just one man, Abram, found favor in the eyes of God. He was called of God to leave the security of his home and friends to do the will of God. Abram is mentioned 74 times in the New Testament. Through faith all believers in Christ are counted as Abram's descendents: If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:29). Abram's first act of faith is recorded in Gen. 12:1-4 and confirmed again in the New Testament: By faith Abraham, when he was called . . . obeyed. . . . For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:8-10).
Many today, like the people of Babel, are too occupied with looking for sources other than God's Word in an attempt to build their own "kingdom," popularity, importance, and other goals in life. It is one thing to know that the Bible reveals God's will; it is quite another to prayerfully read it daily with a heartfelt desire to please Him — with eyes, like Abraham's, focused on the Kingdom of God. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2).
Thought for Today:
Since the spirit of defiance is alive and well in our world today, we must be even more on guard that we wholly follow the Word of God.
Christ Revealed:
As the Promised Seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:3,7; compare Matt. 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16). Abraham was a type of Christ who leads the way to a far better promised land (John 14:2-4,6; Heb. 11:8-10).
Word Studies:
10:5 isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands = they became separate nations; after his tongue = according to their language; 11:3 Go to = Come; slime = probably pitch and tar; 11:4 upon = over; make us a name = become a great people; glorify ourselves rather than God; lest we be = instead of our being; 11:9 confound = confuse; 12:5 substance = possessions; 12:7 seed = descendants, offspring; 12:10 sojourn = live temporarily; grievous = severe.
-----
Sheep or Savior
Hebrews 9:14
”How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Saved by God’s Grace
Watching a two-year old get dressed is really a trip! The little guy knows he is supposed to put his legs into his pants. First, he tries putting his foot through the bottom of the pant leg. Oops! Then, he manages to get both legs into the same one. Can’t walk that way! After a dozen tries, he carries the pants to Mom, holds them up to her and says, “Help, please.”
The Old Testament Jews were a lot like a two-year old getting dressed. They wanted desperately to please God. He had told them to kill sheep and goats as sacrifices for their sins, but they had to do it over and over again. Every year they took animals to the Temple, watched the priest kill them and sprinkle their blood over the people and on the altar. For a while, they felt forgiven. But, then they sinned again. They told a lie, got angry, maybe even cheated their neighbor out of some grain by holding their thumb on the scale. Before they knew it, they were feeling spiritually dirty.
Jesus’ death on the cross was God’s answer to mankind’s cry of desperation, “Help me, please!” We all know that we break his standards in our thoughts and attitudes several times a day, let alone our stupid and rebellious actions. Since Jesus perfectly kept every one of God’s laws, he could pay the death penalty we deserve. God accepted his death as payment for us. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, God forgives us forever from all of our sins. He even cleanses our conscience, making us free from guilt and shame over our sinful actions and thoughts.
In order to receive help getting dressed, a two-year-old has to give up doing it himself. He has to go to a “higher power” and ask for what he needs. We have to do the same if we want true and lasting forgiveness. We have to give up trying to please God ourselves. We have to go to him and ask for help. We also have to accept the help he has determined will do the job by placing our faith in Jesus as His Son and our Savior.
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for all the bad things I do and think every day. So often, I’m rebelling against you and my parent in my mind, even when I’m doing what is expected of me. Please forgive me because Jesus died in my place. Clean me up and help me obey you from now on—from my heart. Amen.
Written by Martha E Menne, Flagstaff Arizona
-----
1 Chronicles 16:27 "Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place."
To be conscious of His presence is to be walking in His light. The light repels all darkness. Satan hides in darkness.
His presence brings in an awesome sense of safety and security. A hiding place from all the fears of life. There is life in His presence. We don't walk around feeling lost and forsaken, but knowing there is help in every situation.
In His presence we have peace that passes all understanding. In His presence we have love that will never quit.
Learn to walk in His presence and loneliness will vanish away. Reckon on His presence.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
-----
1 Minute Daily Devotions
January 4, 2009
The Prince of Peace?
"'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.'" - Matthew 10:34
Many Christians are a bit unsettled when they learn that Christ - the Prince of Peace - proclaimed that He would bring division in this world. What did he mean by "division" and how does this reconcile with His mission on earth? Understand this: The reason Christ brings division is because He has invaded enemy territory. When Christ left His throne in heaven and came to the earth to be the Savior for mankind, Christ invaded the enemy territory of the evil one, who has so many of the world in captivity. And the fact is slave owners do not willingly give up their slaves. Think of the response of the Egyptians when Moses said, "Let my people go!" The Egyptians resisted mightily; they didn't want to lose all that free labor. Think about the Old South. Do you think many of our forefathers were eager to let the slaves go? No! It was all about money, pride, and arrogance. And look at what’s happening today in Sudan. Do you think the Moslems there are eager to free their Christian slaves?
Well, it's the same with the devil. When he has a person enslaved to sin, he fights like the dickens when someone tries to free that person from his captivity. That's exactly why Christ came; to save those in captivity and to confront the evil one who enslaves people to sin. And that battle creates division - a division that is a natural byproduct in the war for your soul.
-----
AN ANCHOR
“This lack of anchorage to any permanent values, this blindness to the true purpose of our lives, produced another bad result.” 12&12 p.72, Step Seven
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19
For what it's worth: There was no anchorage before. Alcohol created the storms and set me adrift in the rough waters with no compass and no power. There was no hope of rescue. But, just before I sank, an unfamiliar, strong wind directed me to a place of quite, calm waters in Alcoholics Anonymous. There I was safe from the insidious power of alcohol, and I found “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”. There I found hope and a loving Higher Power. Many a storm has tried to break me loose from that anchor, but none have succeeded. That experience deepens my hope and strengthens my trust in my Heavenly Father. Today, I am solidly anchored. So, bring on this new day!
God bless you!
Joe W.