Yes Lord - January 31, 2010

Daily Reading

Exodus 4-6

Daily Verse

Then the LORD said to him,

"What is that in your hand?"

"A staff," he replied.

Exodus 4:2

Daily Thought

Moses asks, "What if they don't believe you appeared to me, God?"

Moses doesn't want proof. He just doesn't want to obey God.

God asks Moses, "What is that in your hand?" God doesn't really care what it is. He's not interested in the staff, but in the hand holding the staff. God wants Moses to obey.

When stalling and excuses fail, Moses tries pleading, "O Lord, please send someone else to go before Pharaoh."

God relents and chooses Moses' brother Aaron to do the speaking. "Oh, but we still need the staff, Moses. Bring it with you."

Moses thought he was bringing the staff, but the staff was actually bringing Moses.

"Yes, Lord," would make life a lot less complicated, don't you think?

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

God Almighty, You created all and are sovereign over all things. Your plans always succeed. Your will is good and final. Then why do we say "no"?

God, thank You that You desire to refine us. Thank You for our hope, that You will complete what You have begun. May we give You are hearts and our minds and our strength, and be moldable in Your hands.

Amen

Simon Says - January 30, 2010

Daily Reading

Exodus 1-3

Daily Verse

The midwives, however, feared God

and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do;

they let the boys live.

Exodus 1:17

Daily Thought

When I was a child, I learned that Simon was in charge.

I had no idea who Simon was, but apparently, if he said it, I was supposed to do it. There was always a kid up front who thought he was in charge, but really we didn't do anything he said unless Simon said it, too.

What if the real Simon showed up?

He did, to Moses. Moses asked him his name and he said, "I Am Who I Am." (A much cooler name than Simon.) We know him as the one true God, and his name tells us why he is in charge. He is "I Am Who I Am" and every other creature, including you and me, is "I am who He made me."

The midwives knew God and they knew his rules. Every game has rules, and you can't break them even if some leader up front tells you to.

James 4:17, Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the Hebrews, the God of this world, the one and only God. May we know You, love You, and listen to You. May we know Your voice, and when we hear it, follow it.

God, You are good. Everything that is good comes from You. When we pursue righteousness, when we love our neighbors, when we serve the least of these, we live according to Your kingdom. We display Your kingdom on earth. Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

Amen

Dirty Fingerprints - January 29, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 48-50

Daily Verse

"You intended to harm me,

but God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done,

the saving of many lives."

Genesis 50:20

Daily Thought

When I reflect on God's hand at work in this world, I think of beauty and majesty, glory and goodness.

I forget, sometimes, to look for dirty fingerprints, too.

Moses was called by God, but who put Pharaoh on the throne of Egypt?

Romans 9:17, For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Wicked nations cleaned up God's people.

Habakkuk 1:6, "I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people."

Jews partnering with Romans? Only when God, to accomplish salvation, requires a cross.

Acts 2:23, "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross."

Jesus chose all 12 of his disciples, including one named Judas Iscariot.

John 6:70, Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"

And 10 brothers were intent on murder, but God was intent on salvation, so Joseph was sold as a slave to be just the right person in just the right place at just the right time.

This world has never been out of God's control.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Sovereign God, the mountains and the oceans, the sun and moon and stars display Your majesty. And our lives tell Your story. We see Your love and Your lordship in, and often in spite of, the events around us. How foolish they are who do not call You King of kings and Lord of lords.

Lord, may we live in such a way that people see good works and praise You. God, may we always walk in Your Holy Spirit and do those works You have set before us, good works that reflect Your love to this world.

Amen

What a Ride! - January 28, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 46-47

Daily Verse

"I am God, the God of your father," he said.

"Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt,

for I will make you into a great nation there."

Genesis 46:3

Daily Thought

God tells Jacob to go to Egypt where he will make Jacob's descendants into a great nation. God also said that this great nation would be persecuted slaves for 400 years (see Genesis 15:13) before they get to the promised land.

What should Jacob do, knowing this? Would you follow God into suffering? Because that is what God asks of you, too.

God has invited you to be a child in his kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ. He also mentions you will suffer in your faith. A lot. And the world will hate you. Such an offer!

Have you said Yes?

You should. It's not only the right thing to do, it's worth it.

A guy named Mike Yaconelli said Yes. He wrote a book about it. Listen to what he says about following God. "If I were to have a heart attack right at this moment, I hope I would have just enough air in my lungs and just enough strength in me to utter one last sentence as I fell to the floor: 'What a ride!' My life has been up and down, careening left then right, full of mistakes and bad decisions, and if I died right now, even though I would love to live longer, I could say from the depths of my soul, 'What a ride!'"

Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. --Romans 8:17

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our God, we praise You. We love to say Your Name and sing Your Name. Let the praises ring!

Father, we share in the sufferings of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we stay the course, always keeping our eyes on Your Son and the future glory.

Amen

Turtle On A Fence Post - January 27, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 43-45

Daily Verse

"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.

He made me father to Pharaoh,

lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."

Genesis 45:8

Daily Thought

How do you explain it when the 11th son of a Hebrew shepherd becomes the "father to Pharaoh, lord of his household, ruler of Egypt"?

Joseph will tell you, "The same way I became a slave, a servant, and a prisoner. God put me there, every time."

How does the son of a southern dairy farmer become the counselor to 12 United States Presidents and proclaim Jesus Christ to over 2 billion people?

Billy Graham will tell you, "If you are walking down a road and you happen to see a turtle sitting on top of a tall fence post, you know the turtle did not climb up there on his own."

They built the Billy Graham Museum a few years ago. Asked what he thought of it, Billy Graham grumbled, "Too much Billy Graham."

Our significance is not about people applauding the things we do, but people praising the God we serve.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, Sovereign Creator, this world displays your glory. What a wonderful place. What a place of wonder. That You painted the skies and placed the stars simply for Your Own pleasure. You are God, the only God.

Lord, teach us to rightly number our days, that we may gain wisdom and walk godly. Help us do today the things that matter,

not to waste the time we have. May we display Your glory and goodness to all we meet.

Amen

Dreams - January 26, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 41-42

Daily Verse

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh,

"but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

Genesis 41:16

Daily Thought

When Joseph was 17, he had two dreams. Sheaves of wheat in one and sun, moon, and stars in the other, all bowing down to him. Since then, he has been disowned by his family, enslaved in Egypt, and forgotten in prison. They were promising dreams, but so far had brought nothing but trouble.

Joseph is 30 now. The Pharaoh of Egypt has two dreams. "Tell me the meaning of my dreams," Pharaoh asks Joseph.

If you were Joseph, what would you say? I had dreams, too!

Joseph had a choice. Does God serve my dreams? How often do we measure God by our own expectations?

Or do my dreams, my desires, my ambitions serve God?

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our Father, you called us and saved us in order to make us like your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Change us, day by day, by the work of your Holy Spirit so that we may grow more like Him in all that we think and say and do.

Help us to remain faithful to You and Your calling upon our lives. Strengthen and grow our trust in You as we read Your Word. May the trials and experiences of life shape our faith.

Amen

God's Reputation - January 25, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 38-40

Daily Verse

"No one is greater in this house than I am.

My master has withheld nothing from me

except you, because you are his wife.

How then could I do such a wicked thing

and sin against God?"

Genesis 39:9

Daily Thought

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. --Ephesians 3:10

Our audience is huge - rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Angels and demons. God said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job?"

Like it or not, if you follow God, you are on stage. Is it possible that the applause God receives hinges on our performance?

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. --Matthew 5:16

What, then, happens to God's reputation when people see our bad deeds?

Joseph's situation in Potiphar's house sounds like Adam's in the Garden of Eden, "My master has withheld nothing from me except..." one thing. The difference was Adam thought of himself and Joseph thought of his God.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our Father in heaven, Ruler of heaven and earth, may Your righteousness reign on earth. We look forward to that coming day of the world's redemption, when all things will be made right, evil will be removed, and Your holiness will our pleasure.

May we live as a city of God within the cities of men. May your people live in such a way that Your kingdom is praised and desired. Father, forgive our sins. Thank You for Your grace.

Amen

Meanwhile - January 24, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 35-37

Daily Verse

Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar,

one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.

Genesis 37:36

Daily Thought

All Jacob knew was that his son, his favorite son, Joseph, was gone. Apparently dead.

The sons of Jacob knew more. They knew Joseph was gone, too. Not dead, but as good as dead, sold into slavery.

Nobody knew about "meanwhile." Meanwhile happens at the same time, in another place. Meanwhile means that the story isn't over. Meanwhile is a place where God is at work. Meanwhile explains Romans 8:28,

And we know that in all things God works

for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Sometimes we make decisions about circumstances, life, and God based on all we know. All we know does not mean we know all.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Sovereign God, You not only know the future, You make the future. You are good and all that You do is good. We trust in that without necessarily understanding, because trust is in You is good, as well. It brings out Your glory.

You are the Potter and we are the clay. As You mold us, Your wisdom and beauty is on display. Father, may we not resist, but rather surrender to Your hands and trust in Your skill.

Amen

The Name - January 23, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 32-34

Daily Verse

"Then the man said,

"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,

because you have struggled with God

and with men and have overcome."

Genesis 32:28

Daily Thought

It had been quite a night, wrestling in his sleep with what at first Jacob thought was a man, but could only have been God.

Jacob lasted the fight and won a blessing. But before the blessing, God gave Jacob a new name to remind him of the curse - the curse man and woman have known since Genesis 3. That we will fight with creation, creatures, and Creator.

God gave Jacob a lifelong reminder, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Israel, Jacob's new name, reminds us of our nature and our curse. Jacob looked out for himself, struggled with God, and overcame by fighting. Just like me.

There is a Name that is above all names that changes everything. This Name looks out for others, listens to His Father, and overcame by serving.

In the Name of Jesus.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Father God, Thank You for Your Son, our Savior, the Name above all names. Thank You for Your grace, that You came to seek and save the lost. Me!

God, teach us to serve others, to love others. Father, may we stop the struggle and surrender to Your ways. May we serve You by serving others. May we overcome the curse by being a blessing in Your Name.

Amen

700 Chances - January 22, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 30-31

Daily Verse

"I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar

and where you made a vow to me.

Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land."

Genesis 31:13

Daily Thought

Thomas Edison, in the process of inventing the incandescent light bulb, said, "I have not failed 700 times. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work."

Have you heard that our God is a God of second chances? No way. Seven hundred chances, and keep counting. Check it out.

Adam and Eve. Anything and everything you want. Just don't eat that.

They ate it. Round two, Cain and Abel. Round three, Seth. Noah. Abraham. Lot.

Along comes Jacob. He and God exchange vows.

God vows to Jacob, "I will make you a great nation and give you the land to live in. I will bless you, and through your offspring, I will bless the entire world. I will be with you wherever you go."

Jacob's vow: "Okay, God, if you do all that, your cut is 10%. And I will follow you."

Does it seem like God gets the short end of the stick? No problem, God has no trouble keeping his end. The "I will follow you" part is killer on us.

The Thomas Edison quote wasn't about God. It's about us. You and me. We keep experimenting with life, and God calls us back to the one plan he has had since the beginning. It is called grace, it shows off God's love, and it's name is Jesus Christ.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Gracious God, You are full of Love. You are Almighty and Good, and You watch over Your world. You are sovereign and Your are Lord.

God, may we follow You and Your ways. You place a path in front of us and give us light to see our way. May we not stray, but trust fully in You. Thank You that Your path leads to life, life abundant, and life everlasting.

Amen

House of God - January 21, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 27-29

Daily Verse

He called that place Bethel,

though the city used to be called Luz.

Genesis 28:19

Daily Thought

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." This place was named Luz. Jacob changed it's name.

Bethel. A Hebrew word. Beth is House, El, God. House of God.

Earl Radmacher, president of my seminary, was attending a worship service with a friend, Dan. Before the service, Earl and Dan were lingering in the courtyard while Dan smoked a cigarette.

Earl looked at his watch, "We better get in."

"Hang 'on. Just about done."

"Bring it with with you."

"I can't take a cigarette in there!"

"Why not?"

"That's the house of God."

Earl put a hand on Dan's shoulder, "Dan, you've been sticking that thing in the house of God."

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?"

1Corinthians 6:19

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Galatians 2:20

Dan should change his name to Bethel.

So should I.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our God, we worship You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sovereign God, Savior, Counselor. This is Your world and You are in it. You are the Master of the universe. There is no other.

Thank You for Your Son, who dwelt on earth to show us Your glory. Thank you that You now dwell inside us by Your grace through faith in Jesus Christ. May we, in all we do, remember that You are here, and show Your glory to the world.

Amen

Top Ramen Christianity - January 20, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 25-26

Daily Verse

"Look, I am about to die," Esau said.

"What good is the birthright to me?"

Genesis 25:32

Daily Thought

He's not going to die, not even close. Esau is simply hungry. Okay, he says "famished." Traded his birthright for some soup.

A birthright is a big deal. It is the blessing and the inheritance from your father. It defines who you are.

What Esau did was pitiful, but he wasn't the first.

Adam and Eve.

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:13-14

Traded their birthright for a piece of fruit. They weren't even hungry.

Grace is God's second chance. A second birth. Another birthright.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:17

For we are God's work of art, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.

1Peter 2:9

This is our right by birth. Second birth.

Why do we still want soup. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. Money, sex, power and possessions. Top Ramen compared to the glory of God.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, What a wonder You are. Creator of heaven and earth. Every good and perfect gift comes from above. You give us the desires of our heart.

Why, then, God, do we pursue false desires, empty satisfactions. May we delight in You, Your goodness, Your holiness, Your love. May we, God, everyday love You with all of our hearts, our minds, our strength. May this love of You be shown in our love for one another.

Amen

Three Dangerous Words - January 19, 2010

Daily Reading

Genesis 22-24

Daily Verse

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."

Genesis 24:56

Daily Thought

Three dangerous words.

"Yet." I haven't done my homework yet. "Yet" is meant to assure me it will get done. Later. I don't buy it. I know that word all too well. The ever present pile of unfinished books next to my bed is a testimony to that word.

"Potential." Potential, looking forward is, perhaps, hopeful. Maybe. But at my age, it tends to look back. He had so much potential. Ouch!

"Settled." Genesis 11. Terah gathered his family and headed for Canaan, God's soon to be Promised Land. Verse 31, But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Verse 32, Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran. Settling doesn't get it done.

"Done" is a good word. Even better, "Well done." When used in a sentence by my Savior, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

God the Father, thank You for Your Son, our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He finished His work. He bore the cross, but death could not hold Him. He accomplished our salvation. He is the Name above all names, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

You have given us work to do, to bring Your grace and salvation to the world. May You see our love for You and for our neighbor through our obedience to Your call.

Amen