October 23, 2010 (Mark 1-2, Luke 3-5, Matthew 3-4, John 1:15-4)

A couple of things caught my eye in today's reading - one being in Luke 5. Jesus used Simon's boat to preach from, in order to get a little separation from the crowd. So after Jesus was done, He told Simon to go out deeper and put his nets out. Simon wanted to argue with Him, telling Him that they had been out there all night and didn't catch a thing, but instead he said, "But if you say so, we'll try again". Here's the complete story:

^5:5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

When they saw what just happened, they realized that He was "Lord". And the thing that stuck out to me was that as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed him. They had two boats full of fish! I don't know how that would relate to money, but I would think it would be close to say they would have had a months pay in just a day - but they left it. Turned their backs on it all to follow Jesus.

The other thing that spoke to me were the words of John the Baptist - very powerful words for his day, and very powerful words for today.

³¹ “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of the earth, but he has come from heaven. ³² He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! ³³ Those who believe him discover that God is true. ³⁴ For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. ³⁶ And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

October 22, 2010 (Luke 1-2, Matthew 1-2, John 1:1-14)

Ahh, the New Testament - Jesus - God's grace revealed. It will be good to get out of the "judgement" books.

God honors faith. Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, was in the temple offering sacrifices when an angel suddenly appeared with him. The Bible says he was "overwhelmed with fear" - as I can imagine he was. So after the angel tells him that God has heard his prayer and he and his wife will have a son, what does he do? He questions the truth that was just told him.

¹⁸Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

And look at the response:

¹⁹The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

God is Holy - and if Gabriel stood in His presence I can imagine he was glorious to see. When Moses was with God up on the mountain for just a short time he came back and his face shone with the glory of God. What about an angel who stood in God's presence? We don't have angels come to speak to us in these days, but we do have God's word - so why do we doubt?

Next Gabriel went to Mary to tell her what was about to happen. He also told her of Elizabeth's pregnancy.

²⁸The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

³⁴"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

³⁵The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷For nothing is impossible with God."

And although Mary asked how she could have a baby since she was a virgin, it wasn't a question of unbelief, but of confusion. Once the angel explained, here was her response of faith:

³⁸"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

God honors faith. We see this over and over.

October 21, 2010 (Malachi)

Wow, what a 'harsh' book - If all of Vanguard read and applied this book we would not be in financial trouble. God is worthy of our best - He by His grace has given us everything we have - so why do we think it's ours and not His? In these days we don't offer animal sacrifices, so we don't offer blind or useless animals. But we do "tip" God - we do put Him last with our offerings. If there's anything left, we give that to Him. Here's just one passage, of many, that talks about finances in this book:

^3:6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. ⁷ Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'

⁸ "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. ¹² "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

And how many of us have "complained" about serving God?

^3:13 "You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD.
"Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'

¹⁴ "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? ¹⁵ But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "

We can't fight the battle - we are not strong enough:

⁹But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

We have to maintain our position in Christ. And finally, one of my favorit passage in all the Bible:

¹⁶ Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.

¹⁷ "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. ¹⁸ And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

October 20, 2010 (Nehemiah 6-13, Psalm 126)

It's hard for me to concentrate today - so much going on. But God is always faithful to point out a few 'tidbits'.

Just as Nehemiah did, so I am doing - 6:9 "So I prayed for strength to continue the work". Every day, God, help me to pray for Your strength and Your guidance to complete the work that is before me. Give me wisdom to know what to take on, and what to put aside.

Under Nehemiah's direction, the rebuilding of the wall was completed in just 52 days. Only God could have allowed that to happen so quickly as is evidenced by the following:

^6:16 When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.

When choosing leaders this is a good thing to remember:

^7:2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

And as Nehemiah prays to God, we see God rewards faithfulness, and God Himself is always faithful:

^9:7 “You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham. ⁸ When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.

And in Nehemiah 9, he reflects upon the sinful cycle of God's people - things go well, we forget God. God gets our attention, we repent, things go well, then we forget God.

²⁹ “You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen. ³⁰ In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn’t listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them. ³¹ But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!

October 19, 2010 (Nehemiah 1-5)

I guess it's just where I am in my reading, but over and over when God's people were in distress they fasted and prayed. And in Nehemiah's prayer, he reminded God of His promises and begged Him to listen to their prayers.

1:4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said,

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.
8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’
10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”

When the king asked Nehemiah a question, before he replied here is what he did:

2:4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied,


And then when the king answered him favorably, he gave the credit to God:

2:8b And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

When opposition came up, here is how he replied:

2:20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

And then when there was more opposition, here was his prayer:

4:4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”

But they not only prayed, they worked:

4:9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

And when things still didn't look good, he encouraged the people to remember the Lord:

4:14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

May God give us the grace to respond in these ways - always looking to Him to provide and always showing our dependance by our prayers.

October 18, 2010 (Esther, Ezra 7-10)

I love the book of Esther. From her submission to the authority of others, to her being willing to die (but only after seeking God for three days first through fasting and prayer), there is much to be learned in the book of Esther. Although God is never mentioned by name, His presence is sensed throughout - especially the timing of the king not being able to sleep and the story of Mordecai being read to him during his insomnia. God's hand is throughout. But the thing that I never picked up on before, made me think about the current day situation with Islam:

^3:8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.

I think this is the mindset of 'devout' Muslims. I just did a search on "Koran kill the infidel" - and clicked on this link:

http://www.letusreason.org/islam12.htm

This is scary stuff. American's need to get their head out of the sand and realize the threat that is against us. All the more reason to have a relationship with Jesus - to know that some day when the craziness of this world has come to fruition, we will be resurrected with Him. We went to church here in Breckenridge this weekend - the pastor was speaking on the "I am" statements of Jesus, and spoke on this passage - "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in Me and will never perish. Do you believe this Martha?" I believe that - if I was to be killed in a terrorist attack, I will live eternally with Jesus. There is great freedom and peace in that. But there is also responsibility - we, as Christians, know the truth. (And I know that every 'religion' thinks their 'truth' is the correct truth). But I also believe another of Jesus' "I am" statements - "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me." We are to share our faith and allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction as to the truth of these words.

Now to Ezra, where it says "The king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him." And then a few verses later we read:

⁹ ....for the gracious hand of his God was on him. ¹⁰ This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.

Cause and effect - why was God's gracious hand upon him? Because he had determined to study and obey God's word.

In Esther, and now in Ezra (²³ So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.) there is a recurring theme - when God's people needed to hear from God and be delivered by God, they fasted and prayed - and God answered.

October 17, 2010 (Zechariah 8-14)

As I read today, again, I couldn't help but think of our church - I really believe God is waiting on us to trust Him for big things.

^8:6 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

It seems a lot of people have left Vanguard lately. And although there are still a lot of people in attendance, it seems there is 'a small and discouraged remnant' of some of the 'old timers'. But nothing is impossible for God. Financial issues in the midst of a recession are not impossible for God. What is the bigger lesson He is trying to teach us? How about this next exhortation?

⁹ “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building. ¹⁰ Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.

¹¹ “But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ¹²For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. ¹³ Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!

I know this was written for a different people and a different time, but He still speaks to us through His word.

And there could be no greater compliment than for people to say this about us:

And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

October 16, 2010 (Ezra 1-6, Psalm 137, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1-7)

Everything is controlled by God. He watches over all. Ezra - "The Lord fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy by stirring the heart of Cyrus", "Then God stirred the hearts.." "But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building..." etc., etc., etc. That is why I love reading the Bible - it gives me God's perspective in this messed up crazy world. I want to know how He thinks. I want to know how He acts. The only way I can do that is by spending time with Him.

Haggai - Our church is currently going through some financial difficulties. Is it because we are selfish as a people? Are the financial difficulties our country is going through a direct result of our country turning away from God? I think so.

^{Haggai 1:4} “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? ⁵ This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! ⁶ You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!

⁷ “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! ⁸ Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. ⁹ You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. ¹⁰ It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. ¹¹ I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”

Is God withholding His blessings from us because we are too consumed with our own lives instead of His honor? God is honored by His people sacrificing for Him. God, please help us to give you the honor You are due. Stir the hearts of Vanguard to put You first in all areas that You would be glorified.

Zechariah - Lots of encouraging words in Zechariah -

‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’

‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.'

“This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies."

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.

As His love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong, so is His love for us. May God give us the grace to love Him in return as deeply and completely as He loves us. Thank You for Your grace - thank You for Your love.

October 14, 2010 (Daniel 7-12)

Three months off from blogging - not three months off from reading. I found before that I seem to get so much more out of my reading when I reflect upon it and blog about it. So, I'm back at it! And today's reading is a tough place to start - the prophecies of Daniel. I won't dwell so much on them as I will on the other gems contained throughout these chapters.

I loved this interpretation of God:

7:⁹ I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like whitest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
10 and a river of fire flowed from his presence.
Millions of angels ministered to him;
and a hundred million stood to attend him.
Then the court began its session,
and the books were opened.

Millions of angels ministered to him and a hundred million stood to attend him. Can you imagine? I was struck by the extreme majesty of our God. Not only was His presence overwhelming by the brightness, but millions and millions of angels were around Him. No wonder Daniel was overcome by what he saw. The next paragraph describes the end of time - Jesus' rule will be eternal. One day, as the New Testament says, "Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord."

¹³ As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

And then I was struck by the faithfulness and reverence of Daniel - by his absolute faith in God and his willingness to prove it by his devotion. So rare in life. Am I willing to humble myself and fast and pray and seek Him as Daniel did? If I did, God would show up for me as He did for Daniel.

^9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. ⁵ But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.

¹⁷ “O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.
¹⁸ “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.
¹⁹ “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”

²⁰ I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. ²¹ As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. ²³ The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.

^10:11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

¹² Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.

¹⁷ How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”

¹⁸ Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. ¹⁹ “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”

As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

God honors those who honor Him and who humble themselves before Him. God, please help me to be a Daniel, sensing your love and pleasure as I submit to You.