29 April 2010 Devotion for Today "Why am I Like This?" Genesis 25:19-28

 
 

^{19 This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham begot Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. 21 Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I
like this?|" So she went to inquire of the LORD.}

^{23 And the LORD said to her:}

 
 

      "Two nations are in your womb,

      Two peoples shall be separated from your body;

      One people shall be stronger than the other,

      And the older shall serve the younger."

^{24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau.[ 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.}

^{27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.}

(Genesis 25:19-28)

 
 

The next generations of Abraham's family are seen in this passage following his death. He did not get to see his grandchildren- or at least not the ones of the promised son, Isaac. Barrenness seems to have been a problem at first for Isaac and his wife as was the case with his parents. But after Rebekah conceived it was apparent that she would have twins. Her pregnancy was greatly disturbed, for the twins she conceived battled constantly. She was obviously troubled the whole time. In her distress she cried out to her husband, "If all is well, why am I like this?"

In other words, "If the covenant of God is so, why am I having these problems with this pregnancy?"

If I am in the will of God concerning this covenant, why am I having such severe complications?

If God's word is so, why am I in this condition?

So she began to inquire of the Lord. Have you ever inquired of the Lord? Have you ever asked him a question? Have you ever asked, "WHY?"

Have you ever asked the Lord, "Lord, if I am in your will, why am I going through this problem?"

Or, "Lord if I am doing what you told me to do, why am I in the middle of this trial?"

 
 

I'm sure all of us have asked this a time or two. Many say that we should not ask why, as though we demonstrate a lack of faith or that we do not trust God. I do not think so at all. I believe God wants us to ask why because it connects us to Him. It demonstrates that we are dependent upon Him and are trying to walk with Him in obedience- especially when we are under distress spiritually or physically.

Some of you are going through difficulties.

 
 

Other Bible characters in Scripture also asked why. Even Jesus, while nailed to the cross, asked "My God my God, why have You forsaken me?"

 
 

Some may feel that God has promised something, and they haven't received it yet.

Some feel they are in God's perfect will, but are facing difficulties that cause them to say, "If it be so, why am I like this?"

 
 

Somebody caused great pain. Now you are saying, "If I was in God's will why did that happen? Why am I thus? Some of are like those disciples, feeling like God sent them out on their little ship and everything was fine and dandy. The water was perfect, the waves were calm, and the sun was shining on their perfect day. But a storm came up and hid the sun from that perfect day. The winds began to blow and the perfect waves became great billows that beat against that ship.

And they say, "If I am doing God's will, why am I like this?"

 
 

If you are feeling this way today, God is still in control of your life! When you seemed to have lost control, know that God has taken control! When you have lost your composure, God still has His!

God knows where you have been, He knows where you are now, and He has already made plans to where He wants to take you. There's not a devil in hell that is able to stop God's plan for your life if you will be obedient to God.

 
 

What He says, He will bring to pass.

 
 

There's not a storm so severe,

There's not a trial so deep,

There's not a mountain so high and,

There's not a valley so wide,

That God cannot conquer on your behalf!

 
 

Have a blessed day!

 
 

28 April 2010 Devotion for Today "The Dash" Genesis 25: 7-11

^{7 This is the sum of the years of Abraham's life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. 11 And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi. (Genesis 25:7-11)}

 
 

We read in this passage about the death of Abraham, a man who walked with God and accomplished many things in his life. Abraham was promised a blessing and is a testament to the faithfulness of God and the trust that Abraham had in Him.

 
 

There are three things that we have in common with the Patriarch.

Poet Linda Ellis wrote this poem that summarizes the extent of all our years.

 
 

I read of a reverend who stood to speak

at the funeral of his friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

from the beginning...to the end.

 
 

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

 
 

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth…

and now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

 
 

For it matters not, how much we own;

the cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

 
 

So think about this long and hard…

are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left.

(You could be at "dash mid-range.")

 
 

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what's true and real,

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

 
 

And be less quick to anger,

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we've never loved before.

 
 

If we treat each other with respect,

and more often wear a smile…

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

 
 

So, when your eulogy's being read

with your life's actions to rehash...

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

 
 

Prayer: Dear God I pray that You will help me to consider that what I am doing right now falls within the realm of "the dash." Does it glorify You?

 
 

Have a blessed day!

27 April 2010 Devotion for Today "Isaac Loved Her" Genesis 24:63-66

^{63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. 64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; 65 for she had said to the servant, "Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?"}

The servant said, "It is my master." So she took a veil and covered herself.

^{66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.}

 
 

(Genesis 24:63-66)

 
 

A couple had been debating the purchase of a new auto for weeks. He wanted a new truck. She wanted a fast little sports-like car so she could zip through traffic around town. He would probably have settled on any beat up old truck, but everything she seemed to like was way out of their price range.

 
 

"Look!" she said. "I want something that goes from 0 to 200 in 4 seconds or less. And my birthday is coming up. You could surprise me."

 
 

So, for her birthday, he bought her a brand new bathroom scale!

 
 

Postscript: Services will be at Downing Funeral Home on Monday the 12th. Due to the condition of the body, this will be a closed casket service. Please send your donations to the "Think Before You Say Things To Your Wife Foundation," Dallas, Texas.

 
 

There are of course an endless supply of jokes about marriage. This is because psychologists tell us we joke the most about the things with which we are the most uneasy or uncertain. I don't know about that, but I do know that when Abraham's servant brought Rebekah to Isaac, and when the two of them first laid eyes on one another, it was no joke. Isaac walked toward them (although a respectable man would never run, I'm sure he walked as quickly as he could). Rebekah asked the servant, "Who is this man?" The emphasis Rebekah gave the phrase is very telling. Her heart raced within her in excitement as she laid eyes on Isaac for the very first time. Isaac lost no time taking Rebekah into his mother's tent and the two were married. Then it says that Isaac loved her.

 
 

Its interesting here that it says Isaac married Rebekah first, then loved her. I would have thought it would have been the other way around- we love someone, then we marry them. But Isaac and Rebekah never knew the other existed until that day. Obviously there is something here that goes beyond physical attraction- although I'm sure both were physically attracted to each other. Marriage requires a commitment that goes beyond physical attractiveness, or even the length of time that one knows the other. This was not so much love at first sight as it was a commitment at first sight. It was a commitment to love another and to stay married no matter what. It also says that "Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." One woman's love was exchanged for another, and while Isaac no doubt missed his mother, he could think of no one else but Rebekah ever after that. While it was true that Isaac and Rebekah's marriage was prearranged before hand, their love kept it together afterward

 
 

There are times that I think that maybe we ought to go back to such a system. I'm sure most would not find that a very acceptable solution, but for the most part, many might agree that the modern, cultural idea of dating before marriage has failed us. It puts more pressures on a young couple that neither are emotionally prepared or suited for. And while it is true Isaac's servant went out of his way to find a great wife for his master, It's also true that a successful marriage is not about finding the right person, but in being the right person.

 
 

Prayer: Dear God I thank you for my spouse today. Satan hates marriage and the family and will do everything he can to tear them up. But only You can keep us together. Help me to be as committed to my mate as much as You are committed to keeping us together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 
 

Have a blessed day!

 
 

 
 

 
 

21 April 2010 Devotion for Today "A God Thing" Genesis 24: 50-60

 50 Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."

 52 When Abraham's servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there.

      When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."

 55 But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go."

 56 But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master."

 57 Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?"

      "I will go," she said.

 59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

       "Our sister, may you increase

       to thousands upon thousands;

       may your offspring possess

       the gates of their enemies."

(Genesis 24:50-60)

 
 

In this passage it is difficult to tell who is the more nobler person- Abraham's servant, or the young lady whom he is tasked to bring home to his master's son for a wife. Both of these individuals are well worth talking about. As was discussed yesterday, the servant was surprised and elated for having found such a high caliber of a person so soon. Women such as Rebekah are very difficult to find. But it was clear that the servant had high standards. Her thoughtfulness and unselfishness impressed him from the very beginning. When Rebekah's father and older brother heard that the servant was from their kinsman's family, they were determined to welcome him with a feast. However, the servant insisted that he would not eat until he had stated his business with them. Perhaps this went against the custom somewhat, but the servant desired to show no pretense with them- to eat their food and to drink their wine might influence his decision making somewhat or tempt him to lower his standards or conditions. It would not leave them wondering what his intentions were, and that tends to make people edgy. "Would these people have favor with me?" he must have thought, "What if they kill me for what I'm about to propose? Would they at the very least laugh me to scorn and reject me?" With such intense emotions within him, there was no way the servant could have eaten anyway. He probably swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and spoke clearly and concisely. Can you feel the uneasy tension falling over the group?

 
 

After stating his business, he ate as he was invited and gave the customary homage and brought out the gifts for the young bride he had selected. He was clearly a man on a mission. The next morning, the servant announced he would be leaving as soon as possible. But the bride's brother (possibly assuming the role as head of the family) and her mother wanted to keep her there for another ten days. The servant was not intimidated or pressured to relent in any way, insisting graciously that they be allowed to leave for God had granted them success for the journey. Only at this point did the brother ask his sister if she would willingly go with the servant. The young lady dutifully responded and announced her desire to go as a woman of courage as well as one of great faith. A huge sigh of relief was heard by all, and Rebekah's family along with Abraham's family stood united in purpose. Their destinies would be welded together many times throughout the years.

 
 

The servant's integrity and single-mindedness, combined with Rebekah's faithfulness and dutifulness must have been a powerful force to be seen that day as they prepared the young bride to go knowing that they may not see her again. Yet here is one of those times when God makes Himself known in our lives with such intensity it is unmistakable. When it happens, even though the situation is not without its challenges, but things work out so much better than we could have ever prayed or imagined. This is what we call "a God thing!"

 
 

"God Things" are rare, but when they happen, a strange warm catches hold of our hearts and slaps us still with a sense of awe. Its in the knowing that more than one destiny is at stake- it's the keen awareness that the plan and purpose of God has been revealed, and that you are now part of it. Perhaps you are now at the crossroads of one of those moments that breaks through the pall of monotony around you that shows you God is still there. Why don't we experience this more? Let's not forget how Abraham's servant prepared himself before he set out for the journey. He prayed not just once, but throughout. And he was not surprised when the "God Thing" confronted him, and was prepared to know what to do when it happened.

 
 

Prayer: Father today I reach out for that God Thing. The circumstances of my life You can override simply by making my own will submissive to Your own. May it be to me today, and may I see myself part of what You want to do not just for my life, but for all concerned. May I realize that God Thing today.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

 
 

Have a blessed day!

 
 

 
 

 
 

20 April 2010 Devotion for Today "Success" Genesis 24:1-12

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

12:10 PM

^{1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. 3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac."}

 
 

 5 The servant asked him, "What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?"

 
 

 6 "Make sure that you do not take my son back there," Abraham said. 7 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father's household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land'-he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. 8 If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there." 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

 
 

 10 Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. 11 He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.

 
 

 12 Then he prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."

 
 

I had a conversation with someone this week who told me that success was overrated. I asked him to clarify what he meant. He said that we equate success as having a good-paying job, owning a nice house, driving a new or luxury vehicle, having an attractive mate with equally beautiful children. He then asked, "Can a person not have any of these things and still be successful?" We discussed the subject for a good while and concluded that there are certain ideas that man has which he defines as successful, but God has His own idea about what He deems as successful.

 
 

The servant of Genesis 24 was such a person. Abraham was successful in the ways of the world, but he was not always successful in the ways of God. However, his servant was a success because he was not only obedient to his master, but also because he was obedient to God and looked to him for guidance in his success. The servant's mission was to find a wife for his master's son, Isaac. He prayed that God would help him develop the criteria for the character Isaac would need for a wife. He prayed not only for superficial beauty, but for a thoughtful and considerate nature in the young lady to be selected. He prayed that the girl would not just do what was asked, but would be willing to do more than what was asked. Such a quality would come in handy when it was time to leave everything and everyone she had ever known to marry a young man she never met before. She would not be spoiled as some girls are, but willing to work and to work hard. Such an attitude would make her husband a success also.

 
 

What we don't consider here also is the character of this servant. He prayed to make his master's household a success. Too often we desire that we be the ones who shine and appear great in the sight of others. But the ones who are truly successful are the ones who help other people succeed, even if they do not get the credit or the recognition for it. It is God who is glorified whenever we do something well. So when we succeed, it is not us, but God who gives us that good fortune. Since we are nothing in and of ourselves without God, wouldn't it make better sense to help others to succeed and be all that God desires them to be? When we do, God will lift us up to the proper place of where we need to be when it is His desire to do it. God only calls us to be faithful and obedient. He is the One who gives success.

 
 

Prayer: O Father I pray today that You will grant me success in the right way, that I may not just think of myself, but to cause others to succeed as it glorifies You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

15 April 2010 Devotion for Today "Til Death Do Us Part" Genesis 23:1-14

Thursday, April 15, 2010

6:37 AM

 1 Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. 2 She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.

 3 Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. [a] He said, 4 "I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead."

 5 The Hittites replied to Abraham, 6 "Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead."

 7 Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites. 8 He said to them, "If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf 9 so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you."

 10 Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 11 "No, my lord," he said. "Listen to me; I give [b] you the field, and I give [c] you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead."

 12 Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land 13 and he said to Ephron in their hearing, "Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there."

 14 Ephron answered Abraham, 15 "Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels [e] of silver, but what is that between me and you? Bury your dead."

 
 

Recently, the distinguished Latin-American actor Ricardo Montalban died. Many in my generation remember him for starring the lead role as Mr. Rourke in the TV program "Fantasy Island." His personal life was uncharacteristic of most people in Hollywood. He was devoted to his wife, Georgiana Young, and married to her for over sixty years. He once said that the true mark of a man is to be able to keep one woman interested in him for a lifetime. This he did until Georgiana died two years before he did.

 
 

Truly the concluding words of some of our wedding vows are these words, "Til Death Do Us Part" meant something to them. I say for some, because it is no longer assumed that this is the case as it used to be. Recently I presided over the funeral service of a dear lady who was married to her husband for over sixty years. I read in the newspaper of an elderly couple, both past ninety, who have been married for seventy-five years. Sadly, our present generation will not be hearing or reading of these marital milestones for much longer. Instead the milestones will read of how many times people have been married, rather than for how long. Sadly, for more and more married couples, their vows may read "til death do us part," but they no longer mean them.

 
 

Thankfully this was not the case for Abraham and Sarah. In this chapter we read of the passing of Sarah, Abraham's good and godly wife for nearly one hundred years. At the end of her days, Abraham finds a place of burial for her among the Hittite people among whom he dwelled. From what we read here, it is obvious that Abraham and Sarah were well known and loved by them. Abraham goes to the leader of the Hittites, Ephron, to ask if he may purchase a cave for his wife's tomb. Ephron not only agrees, but desires to give this tomb as a gift. Abraham is grateful but will not accept it as a gift; instead he wants to pay the full price for the tomb as a fitting tribute to his late wife. Ephron accepts Abraham's gesture, and it becomes the official burial plot for Abraham's family. After this, Abraham mourns for his late wife and then goes to focus on his son Isaac to find him a wife like the one he had known.

 
 

Abraham and Sarah's marriage was a long and vivid testimony to their relationship with God. Their's was not a perfect union, for no marriage ever is. There were mistakes that were made, and difficulties at times between them. But their blessings were ever greater so long as they kept God at the center of their relationship. It can be this way for us as well. If you are married, may God give you that kind of relationship that honors the vow, "Til Death Do Us Part."

 
 

Have a blessed day!

14 April 2010 Devotion for Today "A Faith That Can Be Trusted" Genesis 22:9-19

 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

      "Here I am," he replied.

 
 

 12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram [a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."

 
 

 15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring [b] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

 19 Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba. (Genesis 22:9-19)

 
 

 
 

The story is told about a man on the operating table who was very uncomfortable about his imminent surgery. Although anesthesia was to be applied, the doctor said, "It seems you are very uncomfortable about this surgery.Yes, the man replied, it is my first surgery. I understand, the doctor said, "this is my first surgery, too!"

 
 

Who would want to go to a novice surgeon? While it is true that every surgeon has to start with his first surgery, not everyone wants to be the one operated on by him. We want to go to a surgeon who has passed the test and partake of medicines that have been approved, and hopefully to one who has years of flawless procedures and surgeries under his belt.

 
 

Spiritually, our faith works in much the same way. Yesterday I spoke about exams that one cannot study for, and although I would rather be exempt from tests, a faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. In this powerful passage, Abraham shows us how far will he can go with his relationship with God until i it ceases being a relationship of convenience to becoming a relationship of commitment. Abraham has not always obeyed God perfectly throughout his long life, but he is coming to the place where he is beginning to understand that obedience is what God requires if his relationship with God is ever going to grow beyond what it had always been.

 
 

An interesting side note here is this: In Genesis 21, we read that Abraham was asked to send away his son Ishmael. Galatians 4 tells us that Ishmael represented the world and the works of the flesh. � ust as the flesh was mocking the Spirit then, so it is today. We will never give God our Isaacs until we have sent away our Ishmaels.

 
 

We agree that God has the right to ask us to give up the bad, but we never expect him to require of us the good. It is a test between two loves. Abraham loved Isaac and God. But this test was to demonstrate whom Abraham loved more. The same question is asked on our exam today. God asks us, "Who (or what) do you love the most? God may never ask us to do what He asked Abraham to do, but consider these questions God could ask You today:

 
 

Do you love the material possessions, the security, the money that I have provided for you, or do you love Me more?

 
 

Would you be willing to part with all that to be in My perfect will?

 
 

Would you be willing to depend upon Me by faith even if it meant risking everything you have worked for your whole life?

 
 

Abraham was fully committed to surrendering everything up to God, including the promised son Isaac. He was actually in the process of coming down hard on the boy's chest with a knife when God grabbed his hand and would not allow it to come down. When we go to the very brink with God, He will go to the very brink with us and will give us much more than we were even willing to sacrifice.

 
 

Many avoid these situations in their relationship with God and then wonder why they feel discouraged or disillusioned. It is because they were not willing to put their faith to the test. Once again, a faith that is not willing to be tested is a faith that is not to be trusted. Are you willing to put your faith to the test today?

 
 

Prayer: Dear God I admit up to now I have lived with a very shallow faith of convenience. It looks good and puts on a nice show, but inside it is as hallow as a rotten log. Father I have many decisions and paths confronting me, and in order to survive them, I need a stronger faith than I have right now. Lord I submit my all to You, so that I may be after this testing a stronger, more secure vessel of honor. By Your grace let me submit to Your test today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 
 

13 April 2010 Devotion for Today "A Test You Cannot Study For" Genesis 22: 1-8

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

11:31 AM

^{1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"}

      "Here I am," he replied.

 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"

      "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.

      "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

 8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. (Genesis 22:1-8)

 
 

On more than at least one occasion in my scholastic career, I have shown up at class and been unprepared for a test. Sometimes it was done at the whim of a professor- one of those "pop" quizzes. At other times (more like) it happened because I wasn't paying attention to the date and therefore did not study properly. Experiences such as these seldom went well for me. Panic would course through my veins. I recall one time I sat the whole hour starring at a blank piece of paper unable to put down anything of coherence. At that point I resorted to prayer, but not even prayer helped in a time like this except to help me keep my composure.

We are tested like this most all of the time. The exam is given in the great classroom of life. It is a test for which none of us can study. We either know the material or we do not- or at least we already know how we will answer. Abraham encountered such a test in Genesis 22. It appears on the surface a somewhat sadistic exam given by God. Why would God demand and take from Abraham the very thing He had promises him only a few years before? God demanded that Abraham go to Mount Moriah and sacrifice his precious son! How unthinkable!

Yet Abraham does not get flushed nor does he panic. Calmly and confidently he packs the donkey for the trip, takes the wood, his knife, the fire, and then finally, his son Isaac. Together they go until the donkey can go no further. Alone the two of them continue up the mountain where Abraham will construct a makeshift altar. Even young Isaac is aware that his father is unprepared for the test by asking, "But where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answers, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."

Such tests will either bring out the worst or the best from our character. In Abraham's case, he was confident in the fact that no matter what the outcome, God will provide. If it meant that he was to slay his son, then in some other way God was responsible for fulfilling the promise despite how much Abraham knew this would hurt. Abraham trusted God enough that if He were willing, God would provide the needed sacrificial lamb or animal atop the mountain. Abraham had followed God by faith many times, and God had never let him down yet. Abraham knew this, and calmly ascended the mountain.

God has made me aware today that He is giving me an exam. On it is only one question- "Do You Trust Me?" But it is not enough just to answer yes or no. In the space beneath the question God calls upon us to prove it. How will you respond to today's exam?

Prayer: "Dear God Your exam has but one question, but it takes different forms. I ask God that You give me Your grace to complete this test and pass with flying colors. I do trust You God, help me to be as confident of my proof as I am in my answer. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Have a blessed day!

12 April 2010 Devotion for Today “The Joy-Sucker” Philippians 4:2-3

12 April 2010 Devotion for Today "The Joy-Sucker" Philippians 4:2-3

 
 

The official Handbook of the United States Peace Corps tells us what a Peace Corp volunteer has to do if he is attacked by an anaconda snake. The anaconda is the largest snake in the world. You might think it was the boa constrictor. The anaconda is in the family with the boa constrictor, but it is larger than that. The anaconda snake grows to be 35 feet long and can weigh about 400 pounds. For the volunteers that are assigned to the Amazon Jungle, there is a section in the Peace Corp Handbook on what to do if you are attacked by an anaconda snake. There are 10 steps here that you are supposed to follow: 1. If you are attacked by an anaconda, do not run. The snake is faster than you are. 2. Lie flat on the ground. Put your arms tight against your sides, your legs tight together. 3. Tuck in your chin. 4. The snake will come and begin to nudge and begin to climb over your body. 5. Do not panic. 6. After the snake has examined you, it will begin to swallow you from the feet in, always from the feet in. Permit the snake to swallow your feet and ankles. Do not panic. 7. The snake will now begin to suck your legs into its body. You must lie perfectly still. This will take a long time. 8. When the snake reaches your knees, slowly and with as little movement as possible, reach down and take out your knife and very gently slide it between the edge of the snakes mouth and your leg. Then suddenly rip upwards severing the snake's head. 9. Be sure to have your knife with you. 10. Be sure your knife is sharp!

 
 

To be sure, it is not likely that you will be attacked by an anaconda snake- at least not in Weeksville, NC. But there are other things that can suck you down and swallow you up just the same. For some it is a job that just gets under the skin. A neighbor that won't respect your privacy. A bully who is threatening you. Maybe it's traffic at rush hour. Maybe its walking into a building early in the morning and find water pouring from the ceiling like Niagra Falls. We can't ignore the problems: each problem needs to be confronted. But if we are not careful, those things can suck the joy-if not the life-right out of you. That is way we have to keep ourselves sharp in the joy of the Lord.

 
 

As Paul writes to the church in Philippi, he lauds them for many things. But in chapter four we find that the church there was far from perfect. In fact there arose a situation which threatened to suck the joy and the life out of that church: " I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

 
 

Paul confronted a "joy sucker" in Philippi. Evidently two of the ladies couldn't get along in the church. Paul pleaded for unity and cooperation, but he went further -- he gave them a formula for joy that works! We will be looking at this formula this week.

 
 

We live in an age of edgy, worried, peace-less people. We exist in a pressure cooker of racial tensions, family crises, financial and generational stress. The "feel-good" approach doesn't work. Drugs and simple optimism wear off too quickly. The "don't feel at all" approach is worse. You can only ignore a problem until it sucks us down. Then it may be too late to do something! That's like having an early lead in a football game, and playing defensively for the rest of the time. You're on the field, but you're not really playing -- just holding out till time ends. You are not really enjoying the game- just marking time. That is what we find so much in those who are in the game of life. There is no enjoyment, because there is no joy. Yet it is the joy that makes playing the game worthwhile.

 
 

Don't let the joy suckers pull you down today. Lift up your eyes to the Lord and receive the fullness of His joy. Have a blessed day.

01 April 2010 Devotion for Today "April Fool" Psalm 14:1-3

Thursday, April 01, 2010

11:39 AM

The fool has said in his heart,

         "There is no God."

         They are corrupt,

         They have done abominable works,

         There is none who does good.

          2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men,

         To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

 3 They have all turned aside,

         They have together become corrupt;

         There is none who does good,

         No, not one. (Psalms 14:1-3)

 
 

I heard the story of an atheist who felt discriminated against because of the fact that he had no religion, but those of various religious persuasions God special holidays recognized by the government. Christians had Christmas and Easter, Jews had Yom Kippur and Passover, and Muslims had Ramadan. So the atheist decided to sue in federal court, demanding that there be a special holiday set aside for atheists.

 
 

A judge finally agreed to hear the case and after some deliberation he found for the atheist case. He further stated: "Inasmuch as the atheist has good cause for the case of discrimination, I find in favor of his argument with the condition that I select the date upon which the special atheist holiday shall henceforth commence. I further declare that from now on, April 1 shall be the prescribed holiday."

 
 

The atheist objected, "Your Honor, April 1 is considered "April Fools Day!"

The judge replied, "That is why I chose it, for Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool has said in his heart there is no God! Case closed!"

 
 

So much for political correctness!

 
 

Have a blessed day!

30 March 2010 Devotion for Today "The Benefit of the Doubt" Genesis 21:22-32

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

9:52 AM

Have you ever given the "benefit of the doubt" to someone in good faith? This is what God desires of us in how we treat others. Its easy to imagine that someone seeks to take advantage of us or to plot our destruction. The imagination is indeed the devil's playground. It can cause us to become paranoid after a while. Sooner or later we have to learn to trust, to some degree, those who live around us. If we don't, we will likely drive ourselves crazy.

 
 

Living in good faith is a demonstration of love. When we trust people, we show that we love them. I don't think we can love someone without trusting them. The two go hand in hand.

We see this with Abraham's covenant with King Abimelech in Genesis 21. In the earlier chapter, Abraham's fears for his safety and lack of trust in the man caused him to lie and pass his wife off as his sister. This nearly caused disaster for the king and all his people. He was instructed by God to trust Abraham and allow him to pray for him. Isn't it refreshing to see this pagan acting more noble and godly than Abraham had been? Abraham had suffered some grievance in this chapter with respect to his wells. Abimelech's men had stolen a well and shown some sort of violence. Abimelech, however, was not aware of this. It seems that these two rivals were also equal in terms of their prosperity, and competing for the same land. Not desiring a war to start, Abraham was instructed by God to make a covenant with Abimelech- a treaty that neither would violate each other's property. In good faith, Abraham gave the benefit of the doubt to Abimelech by paying for his own well by giving the king what the well was worth, even though he himself had dug it. Abimelech had not way to prove whether it was truly his or not. But in good faith, each accepted the other's gestures and they became friends and allies.

 
 

The Scriptures tell us that if possible, we should live at peace with all men. It may not always be possible, but as much as it depends upon us we are instructed to do what is right even if the other party is not inclined to be so- even at the risk of being defrauded. We know that we can trust God for the outcome, because does not all property and even our own lives belong to God? But our trust in our fellow man demonstrates our trust in God as well, knowing that God can be depended upon to do what is right every time.

 
 

May God help you today to give someone the benefit of the doubt and help you stop worry about what that person may or may not do. Release the matter into God's hands and give a demonstration of that faith You have in Him as Abraham did.

 
 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I live in a wicked and violent world, and in a world that seeks to claim some advantage over me. But Lord nothing can come to me except what You allow according to Your Sovereign Will. Father help me to live in that trust by trusting others as I trust You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 
 

Have a blessed day.